I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned
I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son
of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son
of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
(Rev 1:12-13)
We’ll skip over the seven golden lampstands for now and the seven stars. When John writes that he saw someone that was like a son of man, this is a Messianic title. During His earthly ministry, Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man on several occasions. The Jewish leaders knew this was a title for the Messiah and this infuriated them. I’ve heard some people argue that Jesus never claimed to be God. They’re wrong. When Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man, He was clearly claiming to be Messiah. He accepted worship and forgave sins. All of these are things that only God can do.
In addition to the golden sash, verses fourteen and fifteen give further descriptions of Jesus. The golden sash was a symbol of purity. I skipped over the other descriptions. They all have meaning but right now we’re laying the foundation for a study of the seven letters.
His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow—and His
eyes like a fiery flame. His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a
furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters.
(Rev 1:14-15)
Is there significance in this description? Absolutely! His head and hair being white as snow shows that He is "the ancient of days," a phrase found in Daniel when talking about God. The white hair also symbolized wisdom. We ofetn associate people with white hair as having acquired wisdom through a long life. God always had the wisdom of the world. He never learned anything nor did He ever forget anything. He does need to have the wisdom of the ages. He is the wisdom of the ages!
His eyes being like fiery flames means He sees everything and His rage burns against the unrepentant sin that He sees. His feet being like fine bronze, in scripture, bronze is often associated with justice. He will stamp out al that is evil in His time and in His way. And His voice being like the sound of cascading waters; have you ever stood near a large waterfall? The noise is overwhelming. When God speaks, His voice often thunders. Sometimes we read in scripture that when God makes His presence known, thunder and lightning accompanied Him.
In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword.
(Rev 1:16)
The sharp, double-edged sword is the Word of God. In the fourth chapter of Hebrews we read, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb 4:12).
The Word of God is powerful. God spoke the entire universe into existence out of nothing simply by command. In Genesis we see the phrase, “And God said let there be…”. Each time God said this, whatever He spoke came into existence.
God’s word is still powerful. By His word He can create or destroy. God has given us His written word in the Bible and it is just as powerful as it ever was. When we read the Bible and we find a command, it is the same as if God were speaking in an audible voice. We should listen, heed, and obey.
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His
right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and
the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive
forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.
(Rev 1:17-18)
What would be your response if you suddenly found yourself in the presence of Jesus? He walks through your front door and it is unmistakably Him. You do not need to ask, "Who are you? Can I help you?" MercyMe wrote a a powerful song about such an encounter, I can only imagine.
John's response was to, "...fall at His feet like a dead man." He passed out. What was Jesus' response? He touched John. The human touch can bring about great comfort during times of great stress. Imagine being touched by the Lord and then hearing words of comfort.
After telling John not to be afraid, Jesus assured John of who He was and what He did. He was the first and last (the Alpha and the Omega) and He is the One who conquered death and gave us the hope of eternal life with Him.
Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
(Rev 1:19)
God is commanding John to write. Some Bible scholars use this passage to divide the book of Revelation into three parts.
- What you have seen: The past.
- What is now: The seven letters to the seven churches. This is the church age, from the First Century right up to the Twenty-first Century and until the church age comes to end when the Lord returns.
- What will take place later: This includes everything else in Revelation, chapters four through chapter twenty-two. Those chapters will reference things of the past including many Old Testament prophecies but those chapters are, by and large, prophecies not yet fulfilled. Although we do not find the words, “As it was written,” bringing us a direct quote or paraphrase of the Hebrew scripture, there are more than 500 references to things from the Hebrew scripture.
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven
golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
(Rev 1:20)
And finally, the mystery of the seven golden lampstands and the seven stars that Jesus holds in His right hand. The seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. A church should be a light on a hill, piercing the darkness and illuminating the way to Jesus for all who seek Him. If the lampstand is not doing what it is intended to do, Jesus will remove its light.
The seven stars represent the seven angels of these churches. Some believe these are angelic beings, guardian angels over those seven churches. Since the word “angel” means messenger and a messenger can be a person, I believe these are the seven pastors of those seven churches. It does not make sense that a celestial angelic being would need a letter transmitted through a human (John) to know God’s will. Celestial angels are regularly in the presence of God and He can communicate His will to them directly.
Chapter one covered things that were. Next I'll dive into the seven letters to the seven churches of the Roman province of Asia and try to focus on what those letters have to say to the churches of the Twenty-first Century.
