Ad copy

A DRAMATIC ENCOUNTER WITH THE GLORIFIED CHRIST —Part 1 “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. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 2:12-17a). If you carefully notice this text, you will discover that the Apostle John uses the term ‘like’ multiple times. Moreover, if you were to conduct a word search on this particular term, you would find that John implements this word on 56 occasions within the book of Revelation. Take note of verse 13: “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.” Then, in the following verses, John writes, “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…”. I want to clarify that this extraordinary description of the glorified and exalted Lord Jesus Christ is highly figurative. The passage uses symbolic language, which is not to be taken literally as physical features. Instead, these words paint a picture to convey deeper meanings about Christ’s character and glory. This may lead you to ask, “Ed, what exactly do you mean by this statement?” Simply put, I am drawing your attention to this vivid, symbolic description. John uses images that appeal to our senses to help us comprehend the magnificence and majesty of Christ. The aim is to capture our attention and evoke sincere adoration, not to describe a literal physical appearance. In surveying this passage, there are a number of human features (such as hair, eyes and feet) which are employed to describe this vision of and from the Lord. However, these human features are all blended together with inanimate materials and celestial bodies (such as ‘wool, snow, fire and stars', etc.). Furthermore, these human features and inanimate images, which come together in this vision, would not physically coexist. For example, stars cannot literally be held in a hand, nor can a literal sword emerge from a mouth. These are symbolic descriptions and forms of hyperbole—a figure of speech—that create a strong impression and reveal spiritual truths about Christ. So, John’s description of the glorified and exalted ‘Lord of the church’ is meant to be understood symbolically. These descriptions convey real, important truths about Christ through figurative language. Therefore, these depictions show us something of the grandeur and majesty of Christ, but they use symbolism and cannot fully capture His true glory. These revelations help us understand what the Lord Jesus is like, rather than describing His physical form exactly. This revelation shows who He is now and what He is doing, depicting Christ’s majestic ministry in His redeemed church. The Lord’s ministry was being carried out during John’s era; and it continues to be carried out at this very moment, and it will continue to be carried out until He comes again. These seven churches in Asia Minor mentioned in Revelation were in desperate need of spiritual strength to persevere in the race. Likewise, every born-again believer who is reading these devotions is also in need of supernatural power to steadfastly endure. All genuine believers need to apprehend and apply this incredible revelation of our exalted Lord. A sound apprehension and application of this revelation will produce a renewed holy reverence for our Lord and Savior. It will also motivate us to a fervent and persistent obedience to the Great Commission! Precious one, we do not worship some crucified victim who remains in the tomb. We do not worship some deceased religious leader. We worship the resurrected, reigning and ruling King of kings and Lord of lords. We worship the “Alpha and the Omega”! As we begin this series of devotions, I hope you will join in as we behold this vision of our glorified and reigning Lord.