Scripture: Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:12-20 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, having greeted the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) of Roman Asia (modern Turkey), John identifies himself with his audiences. Together with Jesus, he and the church are partners in “the tribulation, the kingdom, and the patient endurance” (v.9). John concludes his introduction with a brief backstory. He was exiled to the island of Patmos because he testified to the word of God and Jesus. While in exile, on one particular Sabbath, John heard a loud voice like a trumpet while communing with the Holy Spirit. The voice (Christ’s) commanded John to write what he saw in a book and send it to the seven churches.
Today’s reading covers the remainder of John’s vision of the Son of Man. Noting he turned toward the voice, John describes what he saw: the Son of Man clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest, standing among seven golden lampstands. John further details Christ’s appearance:
- His hair was brilliant white.
- His eyes were like flames of fire.
- His feet were like burnished bronze.
- His voice was like roaring water.
- His right hand grasped seven stars.
- His countenance was shining brilliantly like the full sun.
Overwhelmed at the sight of the exulted Son of Man, John collapsed. But Jesus laid his right hand on John (assuming he set aside the seven stars) and commanded John to fear not, declaring:
- I am the first and last and the living one.
- I am forever alive and hold the keys to Death and Hades.
Jesus then commands John to write down everything he sees and hears about the present and the future, adding that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Takeaway: Theologian Alan Johnson notes that John sees the inner reality of the glorified Christ transcending his outward appearance (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Revelation, p. 426). Of no surprise, John’s description closely follows Daniel’s (7: 9-14; 10:5-6) and Ezekiel’s (1:7-27; 43:2) imagery of the Son of Man and Isaiah’s depiction of God (6:1-7), each enthroned in majesty and power. The implication? Christ’s words carry the absolute authority to address the churches.
As for the seven lampstands that represent the seven churches, Moses commissioned a seven-branch lampstand for the Tabernacle’s altar (Exodus 25:31-40). The lampstand later symbolized the nation of Israel and, here, the body of Christ: his churches. As for the seven stars in Christ’s right hand, we see another element of authority: the right hand symbolizes power and safety. In the Hebrew Bible, stars represent angels (Job 38:7) or faithful witnesses (Daniel 12:3). In the New Testament, Paul references seven stars associated with the seven spirits of God in his letter to the Ephesians (2:1; 3:1). Lastly, regarding the effulgence of the glorified Christ, that Jesus’ face shone like the sun with all its brilliance echoes Jesus’ words about the righteous who enter the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43) and mirror his glorified body at his transfiguration (Matthew 17:2).
Our takeaway? Like John, we need not be afraid when we have close encounters with our Lord (confer v.17). For Jesus speaks similar words of assurance to our hearts: that he is eternal (“the first and last”; v.17), resurrected, and holds the keys to Death and Hades (v.18). Thus, no one can snatch us out of his or his Father’s hands (John 10:28-29). Our part? Like John, first, listen to his mighty voice. Train our minds and emotions to screen out the worldly chatter and clatter and discern God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). Secondly, do not fear. When Jesus admonished his disciples for fearing for their well-being amid the storm, he cited their deficient faith as the cause (Matthew 8:26). So, to hear without fear, we must consistently cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, who will strengthen our faith as we behold the brilliance of the Light of the World (John 8:12).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, whose brilliance and power conjoined with yours in creating our world with all its marvelous life forms and, most importantly, for awakening and calling our spirits into eternity. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who transforms us from glory to glory into image-bearers of your Son, radiating his brilliance. Still, we need help to hear without fear, to listen to and follow the provocations of your Holy Spirit without succumbing to the fear that otherwise paralyzes us. So please help us grow in our faith in your provision, protection, and guidance so we might confidently bear witness to your Son. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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