Write the Revelation! (Day 3)

John Is Told To Write

Revelation 1:10-11 ⁽¹⁰⁾On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, ⁽¹¹⁾which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (NIV) God had an important work for John to do. This work involved him writing down what he was shown, so that it could go out to the seven churches. His writing was not just relevant for the churches of that day, but it would be of great significance for the times of the end right before the second coming of the Lord.

What is the Lord’s Day?

John let’s us know that he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. The Jews had the tradition of keeping the Sabbath by worshipping in the synagogue. Some religions believe that the Lord’s Day that John was referring to was the seventh day of the week on which the Jewish Sabbath was observed; others believe that due to the apostles having received the Holy Spirit on the first day of the week, Sunday would be more plausible. Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we (Paul and companions) went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. (NIV) It seems that due to John being a Jew, he would have still observed the Sabbath on the 7^th day of the week. Therefore, It appears that he was referencing the Lord’s Day, by which he was in the Spirit – more probable than not as being Saturday. This is debatable with many theologians, but the most important point being made is that “John was in the Spirit,” and was told to “write” what he had seen.

Revelation 1:12-16 ⁽¹²⁾I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ⁽¹³⁾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. ⁽¹⁴⁾The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ⁽¹⁵⁾His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ⁽¹⁶⁾In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (NIV)

 The Meaning of the Seven Lampstands

 The number seventh means completion, which has been greatly attributed to God finishing all of creation in six days and having a complete rest day on the seventh. It was not because He was tired that He rested, but so He could set the example for man to follow. Genesis 2:1-3 ⁽¹⁾Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. ⁽²⁾By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ⁽³⁾Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (NIV) There were seven lampstands representing the seven churches in Asia to whom John was instructed to write. The number seven was not referring to church buildings, but represented the body of Christ by whom all who accept Jesus are made complete and have come into the fullness in Him. Colossians 2:9-10 ⁽⁹⁾For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ⁽¹⁰⁾and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (NIV)

        The lampstands were described by John as being made of gold. What was the significance of them being golden? God held gold as being precious and of the highest regard. After all, He’s the one who made it. During the time of Moses, God instructed him to give the laws that were written by His own finger to the Children of Israel as a covenant between He and them. They were to obey them with all their heart, soul and mind. God told Moses to make the Ark of the Covenant where the Ten Commandments were to be placed, and then kept inside the Holy of Holies within the sanctuary. This ark was to be made of acacia wood and covered in gold. The priestly garments that Aaron, Moses’ brother, was to wear also had gold. Exodus 28:36 Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. (NIV) Therefore, gold represented things that were holy, but had been tried in the fire as part of the purification process. 1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (NIV) The seven lampstands representing the seven churches were to be holy unto the Lord, which was represented by the description of gold.

 Description of the Son of Man

 Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man. Matthew 9:6 “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” (NIV) Jesus had left His place in Heaven to come down to earth to save all mankind. He was both the Son of God and the Son of Man, due to him being born through natural means not with an earthly father, but through the implantation of the Holy Spirit inside of Mary’s womb. The prophet Daniel also described him as such. Daniel 7:13 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. (NIV) Jesus never lost his deity; therefore, He was and shall forever be the Son of the Living God.

            Everything that Jesus does has purpose even to the garments that He wears. Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (NIV) John described Jesus as wearing a long robe down to his feet. Jesus represents the Father in all that He is and forever will be – embodied by the Garment of Salvation and Righteousness. (NIV)

            The prophet Daniel also described Jesus very similar to John’s detailed account in a vision that was also shown to him. Daniel 10:5-6 ⁽⁵⁾I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁽⁶⁾His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. (NIV) Here we find Jesus wearing a belt of gold, or a sash as described in John which can be used interchangeably around Him. Again we see gold being used to symbolize the Holiness of God and the belt/sash representing truth and righteousness. Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. (NIV) No sin can stand in the presence of a Righteous and Holy God. Jesus is outwardly cloth as such to signify all that He is.

Jesus’ Hair

            Jesus’ hair was described being white like wool and snow. Whited in the Bible represents cleanliness and purity. Psalms 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (NIV) The psalmist, David, was asking God to clean him of all his sin and imperfection. This was not in the natural sense, but in the spiritual. Jesus’ white hair represents His purity for no sin was ever committed by Him. 1 Peter 2:22-23 ⁽²²⁾“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

⁽²³⁾When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (NIV)

Jesus’ Eyes

            Jesus’ eyes were described as being like fire. Throughout the Bible, we see fire as being a sign of judgment for the wicked. Deuteronomy 9:3 But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you. (NIV) In this particular text, God is like a devouring fire that was going to destroy Israel’s enemies. Once again, Jesus describes fire as being punishment for the wicked along with the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ ” (NIV) To see Jesus’ eyes as described by John and Daniel is to see judgment upon all who fail to acknowledge Him and follow the ways of the Lord. God sees all and there is nothing that will go unjudged. Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (NIV)

          

Jesus Skin

Jesus was also described as having skin that looked like bronze. One of the offerings given during the construction of the tabernacle of Moses’ day was bronze. God wanted to live among his chosen people and therefore, required certain materials as a freewill offering to construct His house. Exodus 25:3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze. (NIV)

        Once again, Moses used bronze, but this time it was due to the sins that the Children of Israel had committed. Numbers 21:4-9 ⁽⁴⁾They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; ⁽⁵⁾they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” ⁽⁶⁾Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. ⁽⁷⁾The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. ⁽⁸⁾The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” ⁽⁹⁾So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (NIV)

The bronze was used to heal the Children of Israel from their physical ailment as well as the spiritual sin they committed against God. Jesus became the offering, which God accepted for the sins of mankind. Just as the children of Israel had to look upon the bronze snake to receive their healing by faith, we too have to look upon the bronze snake to receive their healing by faith, we too have to look upon Jesus to receive healing and forgiveness of sin.

Jesus’ Voice

        Jesus’ voice was described as rushing water by John, and Daniel described it as a multitude of people. In the Bible, water often represented people and this is why John and Daniel’s descriptions can be used interchangeably. Daniel 10:6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. (NIV) Jesus also describes himself as the living water where all who drinks will never thirst. John 4:9-10 ⁽⁹⁾The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ⁽¹⁰⁾Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (NIV) From the mouth of Jesus comes what we need to sustain our hearts, minds and souls spiritually. We cannot do it on our own, but total reliance has to be on Christ and His saving power. This sound of water is an invitation to every nation regardless of race, color or creed. John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV) The rushing water is the constant nonstop flow of grace and salvation by which we are saved.

Tomorrow, we will dig further into the Book of Revelation and see more of what God has to say. You can purchase the complete set of this series, "Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil" by K L Rich on Amazon.com.