Simply the Bible Blog

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” (Revelation 1.12-16, NKJV)

For all the words written in the gospels about the life and times of Jesus, there isn’t a single physical description of what He looked like. But here John saw the Lord and described what he saw. Yet before he saw the Lord he saw the churches, represented by seven golden lampstands. And Jesus was in the midst of the churches.

With all the problems in the churches (and there are many), the Church is still the Bride of Christ. He loves us, and He will not leave us or forsake us. Whenever two or more of us gather in His name, He is with us, sustaining, blessing, correcting and encouraging us. He is building us up, and the gates of hell won’t prevail against us.

Consider how Jesus appeared to John:

• He was clothed with a long garment and girded with a golden band, signifying His role as High Priest. He always lives to intercede for us.
• His head and hair were white as snow, speaking of His purity and wisdom.
• His eyes were a flame of fire, as the One who examines the churches and searches our hearts.
• His feet were like fine brass, as the One who treads the winepress of God’s judgment.
• His voice was as the sound of many waters. Imagine Niagara Falls speaking to you!
• He held seven stars in His right hand (angels, messengers or pastors? of the seven churches).
• Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, which is the Word of God.
• His countenance was like the sun at noon. Who compares to His glory?

How many of us have really seen Him as He is? If we would see Jesus, then nothing else would be the same. When we realize that He has overcome the world, death and Satan, then we would never fear any of these. Looking into those eyes of fire, realizing that they see everything about us and that He still loves us, we would never cover up anything again. Knowing that He is the Wisdom of God and the Wonderful Counselor who gives generously, we would ask Him often for His advice. Knowing that He treads God’s judgment, we would never take retribution into our own hand. Hearing Him speak as the sound of many waters, we could never forget that Awesome Voice! Knowing that every word He speaks is a sharp two-edged sword, we would pay more attention to what He says. And staring into that face that shines like the sun, we would pour contempt on all our foolish sin and pride. But then we would look into His hand and see ourselves there! He is holding us with His righteous right hand, and no one can pluck us out!

Oh, how our lives would change if we would really see Jesus! “Father, open our eyes!”