A Picture of Jesus - Himalayan Heights – May 26 Readings: Revelation 1:9-16 – The Real Jesus

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 1:9-16 

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

John, your brother and partner in the affliction, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 The hair of his head was white as wool—white as snow—and his eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 17-18, John 6:49–71, Psalm 68:1–7, Proverbs 14:1-2

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: A Picture of Jesus     

Ever wished you had a photo of Jesus? Of course, there are those famous paintings of the Savior that dominate our perceptions, but they represent medieval Italian men far more than a First Century Jewish man. There have been some recent renderings of what such men tended to look like, but the most graphic presentation of Jesus is found in Revelation 1:9-16, when John is caught up in a vision and sees Jesus.

If you want some nightmares, google Revelation 1 and look at some of the "artists" renderings of John's descriptions. They range from grotesque to silly. This was not meant to be a verbal portrayal of Jesus' appearance but of his character and power. We learn in this passage less what he looks like and more who he is.

This is the Real Jesus, my friends.

It begins with an ironic twist. Literally, verse 12 says, "I turned to see the voice..." Generally, you hear a voice, but this person is defined by his voice. Jesus is the word of God and his voice has been his power since the world was spoken into being and will be until a sword proceeds from his mouth and strikes down the nations. accomplishes his work primarily through the power of his voice – from speaking the world into being to proclaiming truth to a sharp two-edged sword which comes from his mouth to strike down the nations! 

There are nine descriptions of him given in this passage. Most of them are repeated from Daniel 7 and Daniel 10, where they refer to God the Father, the Ancient of Days. The fact that they are used to refer to Jesus here is clear indication of the divinity of Christ.

He walks among the lampstands. (12)

The first thing John saw was seven lampstands, which we are later told represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. These lampstands are golden because churches, even flawed churches with huge problems, are precious to Jesus - never forget that! These lampstands remind us of the ultimate purpose of the church. We are not a country club for superior saints or a political organization, but a lighthouse to shine God's light into this dark world. 

The best news is that Jesus is among the lampstands. It is easy to despair when you look at the mess the church is in, but never forget that the Savior walks among us - nothing is hopeless!

He wears a long robe and sash (v 13)

When Jesus walked on earth the first time, he lived in poverty, dressed simply, and was despised and rejected. People ignored him, abused him, tortured him, and crucified him. Not anymore! Scholars debate whether this pictures Jesus as our great high priest or our great king, but what is clear is taht he is now GREAT!  Yes, Satan still roars and Jesus seeks and saves the lost, but one day, the time for pleas will be over and Jesus will stand triumphant over all the world. 

He has white hair. (14)

This comes directly from Daniel 7:9, a verse directed at the Ancient of Days. This white hair shows Jesus as pure and sinless, but also is a sign of age and wisdom. He is the Eternal God who is from everlasting to everlasting, who knows all things and is worthy of our trust.

His eyes are like fiery flames. (14)

Picking up on this omniscient wisdom and purity, this speaks to his piercing eyes which see everything. He sees deep into our souls, his eyes penetrating into the dark places of our hearts and understanding even our motives. 

His feet are like burnished bronze. (15)

John uses a word here that is found nowhere else in Greek literature, but it is believed to have a military context. Jesus is not wandering the wilderness in sandals anymore. He stands in burnished bronze, in armor, a victorious military conqueror. This armor has been fired in a furnace! This speaks of Jesus’ sufferings. He conquers by suffering. He is Lamb of God who became the Lion of Judah. He conquered through his death.

Four Triumphant Metaphors (15-16)

Picking up on the theme of conquering, the last four metaphors all describe him in victorious terms. He has a “voice like cascading waters.” His word is loud and thunderous, strong and powerful. You cannot ignore him! He “holds the seven stars in his right hand.” This might be a difficult one, except that verse 20 explains that this refers to the “angels” (either pastors or some sort of guardian angels) of the seven churches. That debate won’t be settled, but this passage settles who is in charge. The glorified Christ is in charge of the church. From his mouth comes a “sharp, double-edged sword” which speaks, in Revelation, of the judgment he will pour out on the world. Today, we decide whether we want Jesus, but we must remember that ultimately, Jesus is Lord and will judge the living and the dead. He will conquer all his enemies with this sword and will judge them. There is simply no gain from opposing Jesus! Finally, the face of Jesus is like the “sun at full strength.” This is the clearest affirmation of the deity of Christ. He is not a moon that reflects God’s glory, but the sun who shines it fully. All the fullness of the glory of God dwells in him.

Look at the Scriptures and let them reveal Jesus to you. He will save your soul and heal your heart and change everything in your life!

Father, reveal to me your Son, powerful and living Lord! Show me the One who is and was, and is to come!

Think and Pray:

Consider the truths about Jesus revealed in John's vision.
Which one is the most shocking to you?
How would understanding the "Real Jesus" change the way you live your life?