On Saturday, we took a look at Revelation 1:12, and the significance of the fact that in John’s vision, Jesus walked amongst the churches as their head, their husband; and we encouraged you to set aside time during this busy season to not just honour a tiny baby, but to honor the One who is the true head of the church!
Today’s Christmas revelation come from the vivid description that John gives us of Jesus as He walked among the lampstands: “He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:13-16 NLT)
Being a visual person, each one of those descriptors paints a rather strange picture in my mind’s eye. I see a man wearing a robe with a golden sash. Long, white wool hangs from his head, and fire sOn Saturday, we took a look at Revelation 1:12, and the significance of the fact that in John’s vision, Jesus walked amongst the churches as their head, their husband; and we encouraged you to set aside time during this busy season to not just honour a tiny baby, but to honor the One who is the true head of the church!
Today’s Christmas revelation come from the vivid description that John gives us of Jesus as He walked among the lampstands: “He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:13-16 NLT)
Being a visual person, each one of those descriptors paints a rather strange picture in my mind’s eye. I see a man wearing a robe with a golden sash. Long, white wool hangs from his head, and fire shoots from the eyes and the face is so bright that I can’t even look upon it. I can’t help but see, however, that there is a sword sticking out of His mouth. Peels of thunder roll forth from around that sword, and His feet are glowing like hot bronze.
Now that’s not the typical image that thoughts of Jesus conjure up, is it? And, might I add, it is a bit disconcerting!
What is interesting to note first off is that none of these descriptors are unique to Revelation. Similar descriptions can be found in Daniel 10:5-6, where Jesus is described as being dressed in linen with a golden belt. His body is like a gemstone, His face flashes like lightening and His eyes are like torches, while His arms and feet are like bronze and His voice roars; and Daniel 7:9 describes Him as being clothed in white and as having a “head of pure wool”.
Naturally, my mental image of fire balls leaping from Jesus’ eyes and a sword coming out of His mouth are not truly accurate. Each of these descriptors is symbolic, and to understand their meaning, we must go back to the Bible and let it interpret itself.
We see the meaning of the white linen robe and the wool for hair when we look at Daniel 7:9. Here Jesus is described as the “Ancient One”, and “His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool.” (NLT). Thus, it would seem that the white clothing and hair like wool would give us an idea of His eternal nature, and as such, evidences His wisdom, His knowledge, His discernment and His judgment
Next, let’s look at the two-edged sword that proceeds from Jesus’ mouth. Hebrews tells us: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12 NLT). We see, than, the actual words that Jesus speaks are there to divide soul and spirit, exposing our innermost thoughts and desires. Thus, the One like a Son of Man walking amongst the lampstands is able to cut right through us with but a simple Word! Interestingly, this was prophesied of Jesus long before His birth with similar imagery: “and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.” (Is. 11:3-4 ESV)! This image of the sword proceeding from Jesus’ mouth represents Jesus as our judge!
Jesus’ feet of polished bronze and His eyes of flames draw our attention next: “And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace” (Rev. 1:15 NLT). These particular attributes of Jesus was emphasized in the letter to the church of Thyatira: “This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze…” (Rev. 2:18 NLT). This is used here to emphasize the coming of judgment. Thus, we see that His feet tells us of righteous judgment, His strong, enduring authority as the supreme Judge. It is interesting that the metal bronze is used here. Wasn’t the serpent that Moses raised up in the wilderness also made of polished bronze? And this same serpent was used to typify the Lord Jesus Who took the punishment for our sin on the Cross so that we wouldn’t have to face God’s righteous judgment!
Finally, there is Jesus’ face: “And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:16 NLT). I think we can all understand what it is like to look at the sun. It is so intensely bright and hot that it blinds us. In John’s description, Jesus’ face is shining like the sun. The full strength of His divinity is so bright that it is blinding.
Notice that John’s description of Jesus begins at the top of His head (hair of wool) and ends at the soles of His feet (feet of polished bronze). Each part speaks of Jesus power and glory and might and majesty. It speaks of His divine right to bring righteous judgment to the Earth. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us however, for: “Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42 NLT)
So what does this have to do with Christmas?
As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour this year, let’s keep in mind the description of Him from Revelation 1. Let’s remember that not only is Jesus our Saviour, but He is also the One who brings divine judgment to the Earth. He is the appointed judge of the living and the dead. Take some time today to meditate on the fact that the tiny baby whose birth we will soon celebrate is not only the judge of the living and the dead, but also the One who took the punishment for our sin on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to face righteous judgment!
Join us on Thursday for the final part of “Christmas Revelations”, for one last lesson from Revelation 1 on how to worship Jesus this Christmas!
In His Love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Christmas Revelations” mini-series, click here)
