Lessons 3 and 4

We will continue on Revelation Chapter 1 talking about the symbol descriptions that are on Jesus and their meanings in the passage.

1. Brief intro to 7 Churches: Notice the seven churches that John addresses are not individual church fellowships within towns but general Christians with cities. He doesn't address pastors or denominations but regions. The letters were distributed to Christians within each city i.e. "Church in Ephesus," "Church in Smyrna" etc. This is how God sees us, not in our individual churches, but as Christians in our cities. It is no good for a church to be thriving in a city, if the whole city is not being impacted by Christ. Oshawa is in this situation as it is the only city within Durham without an active pastor network. I am working with another pastor and it is hard to get pastors to come together and pray together. This tells us that the Lord is not pleased with the "Church in Oshawa." We need to pray for this.

2. John's vision of Christ. It was not to be taken literally as some heretical groups do. But they were symbols to convey a deeper message about Christ that the Church may not have seen as yet. The last time, the Apostles saw Christ was during his ascension after his resurrection (Acts 1). The angels told the disciples that Jesus would come back, but they were still left with many questions: When is Jesus coming back? What will happen when he comes back? When John gave this vision, it was the image of Jesus of what he will be when he comes back. He will come with a different Bravado than when he left at first. He left as a victorious risen Saviour, but he's coming back as a chief commander.

3. Vision of Exalted Christ (v. 12-16):

a) John sees vs. John hears

b) Seven golden lamp stand = seven churches (Ex 25:31-40)

c) White Head and Hair: Apocalypse writing style here, with the tendency to use OT descriptions of God for Jesus, stressing the unity between the Father and the Son (Dan 9:7). In ancient culture, white hair indicated both dignity and the accumulation of wisdom over the years of experience. Also white wool points to one of the major industries of the region in Laodicea (Rev 3:18). The wool and the snow together picture pure dazzling whiteness; no other way in the ancient world to portray perfect whiteness (Mark 9:3), whiter than any other world could bleach. The Person of Jesus epitomizes eternal wisdom.

d) Blazing eyes = this stems from Dan 10:6 (“his eyes like flaming torches”). It is also repeated in Rev 2:18 and 19:12. It speaks of the divine insight that penetrates to the core of the human situation. It can include fierce judgment of God who knows and acts against those who disobey him.

e) Bronze feet = See Dan 10:6 and Rev 2:18. Cherubim’s can have bronze feet (Ezek 1:7). The image of polished bronze emphasized the glory and strength/stability in the purity of Christ from corruption and in the justice of the ungodly and apostate.

f) Thundering/powerful voice = Ezek 1:24 ('roar of rushing waters” or many/multitude of waters i.e. great water fall). Rev 14:2 speaks of the voice from heaven. Rev 19:2 speaks of the voice of the multitude raised in praise.

g) Sword coming out of his mouth = sharp two-edged sword. Speaks about judgment. Messiah will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth (Is 11:1, 4; 49:2). Christ is the bearer of the universal judicial authority. In the OT and in Revelation this is connected to the iron scepter (Ps 2:9; Rev 19:15). This is different from the Roman short sword in Eph 6:17 and Heb 4:12. This speaks of apocalyptic judgment (2 Thes 2:8).

h) Long robe and golden sash = scholars are divided.

1) majority believe they refer to the robe and sash of the high priest (Exod. 28:4; 39:29).

2) others believe it is more of a general description of things worn of dignitaries and rulers (same phrasing in Exek 9:2).

The golden sash around his chest could be the sacred ephod of the high priest embroidered with gold thread. But Rev 15:6 there are seven angels wearing golden sashes around their chests without any priestly thrust there. There it speaks of a divine figure. The day laborer wore sash around waist to tuck in tunic for work, but the aristocrat work it around chest to indicate high rank.

i) Radiant Face = Sinai and Jesus transfiguration speaks about this radiance. Greater than the sun gods of ancient Mesopotamia (Jer 43:13). Apocalyptic use of the sun in OT and in Revelation (Is 13:10; Ez 32:; Mic 3:6).

j) Stars in his right hand = Right hand symbolizes power and authority (Ps 110:1; Matt 26:64). “To hold” is to possess or to preserve/protect. To have in one’s hand is an idea of power over the thing held in present. Christ is in complete control. The seven stars are identified in verse 20 as the angels of the seven churches (Job 38:7; Rev 9:1; Duet 4:19)). Jewish writings speak about the solar system (sun, moon, mercury, venus, mars, jupiter, saturn) linked with the seven branches of the menorah. In the ancient world, stars were frequently seen as powers (unusual gods) that could influence the course of history.

4. Vision of Christ Explained:

a) Head and Hair means WISDOM (Prov 16:31; 20:20; Hos 7:9

b) Flaming Eyes means DIVINE INSIGHT/JUDGEMENT (Dan 10:6)

c) Voice like a trumpet/many waters means COMMANDING DREADFUL VOICE (Eze 1:24)

d) Feet like burning brass/glowing bronze means HOLINESS/ RIGHTEOUSNESS/ JUSTICE (Ez 1:7; Gen 3:24; Ex 25:17-22)

e) Long robe and Golden Sash means HIGHLY DIGNIFIED DIVINE FIGURE (Exod. 28:24; 29:29; Eze 9:2)

f) Mouth with a double edged sword coming out means SCEPTRE OF DIVINE KINGLY AUTHORITY; SUPREME DOMINION

(Gen 49:10; Psalms 2:9; 23:4; 45:6; Is 11:4)

g) Face shining like the full light of the Sun (noonday) means DIVINE GLORY AND MOST VALUABLE LIFE RESOURCE

(Ex 34:29; Ps 84:11; Prov. 4:18; Hab. 3:3-4)

h) Holding the stars in your right hand means ONE WHO PRESERVES THE HEAVENS/COSMOS (Duet 4:19; Ps 110:1; Job 38:7)