OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Revelation

A STUDY OF REVELATION

 

“One Like unto the Son of Man” (2)

Revelation 1

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In our previous study, John heard “a great voice, as of a trumpet” (Rev. 1:10).

 

B.      John “turned to see the voice” that spoke with him (Rev. 1:12).

 

C.     When he turned, he saw seven golden candlesticks.  He also saw one “in the midst of the seven candlesticks” (Rev. 1:13).

 

D.    He, then, describes what he saw to us with ten descriptive phrases.  In this lesson, we will look at this description of what John saw.

 

I.                    THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA (Rev. 1:11)

 

…unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laocidea.

 

Seven churches of Asia - Wikipedia

 

A.      These cities are in the western end of Asia Minor (Turkey).

 

B.       Metzter:  “The reason for the present order is much more simple:  it is the order in which, starting from Ephesus (the city closest to Patmos), a messenger carrying the book would travel, somewhat in a semicircle, going successively to each of the churches.  The average distance between each locality is between twenty-five and fifty miles.  A glance at a map…will show that the seven cities are so situated as to be centers from which the book could be circulated through a very wide expanse of country” (as quoted by West, p. 107-108).

 

C.      NOTE:  The fact that only seven churches are mentioned is one of the arguments for the early date.  After the destruction of Jerusalem, the Jewish influence was destroyed and the gospel was taken to many more places in that region of the world.

 

II.                  SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS (Rev. 1:12)

 

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. 

 

A.      We are told specifically who these seven golden candlesticks are in verse 20.

 

…and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

B.       Lampstands are symbols of the radiation of righteous wisdom and truth. 

 

C.      “The churches are symbolized by lampstands because it is the privilege of the churches to be light bearers or the distributors of the Gospel of Christ in a benighted world” (West, p. 121).  See Philippians 2:15-16

 

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life…

 

III.         ONE LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN (Rev. 1:13-16)

 

A.    “…one like unto the Son of man…” (Rev. 1:13)

1.        John would have easily recognized Jesus.  He had been with Him during His earthly ministry for 3 to 3-1/2 years.  He had even witnesses Jesus in His gloried state on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-5).

 

2.       This appellation is applied to Jesus some 83 times in the New Testament and once in the Old Testament book of Daniel, Daniel 7:13.

 

And I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.

 

3.       The description, “Son of man,” emphasizes the humanity of Jesus.

a.       Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary (Isa, 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25).

b.      Mary’s part in Jesus’ birth is what enabled Jesus to be a human being.

 

B.      “…clothed with a garment down to the foot…” (Rev. 1:13)

1.        The word “garment” is found in the Septuagint version to describe the robe of the high priest (Exo. 28:4; 29:5; 16:4). 

2.       Most believe this a robe indicating a high, possibly royal, position (See Zech. 6:12-13).

 

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.  Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a priest upon his throne:  and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

 

C.     “…and girt about the paps with a golden girdle” (Rev. 1:13).

1.        The girdle was like unto a belt that was fasten just below pectoral muscles.

2.       The girdle was “golden” indicating great wealth.

3.       Too, it could also symbolize the truth that resided with the Son of man (Eph. 6:14a).

 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…

 

 

D.    “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow…” (Rev. 1:14)

1.        There are two thoughts that spring from these words.

a.       Twice John mentions the word “white.”

1)       White involves holiness and purity.

2)      The Bible often speaks of the sinless perfection of Jesus (Heb. 4:15; 7:26; I Pet. 2:22).

 

For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

 

2.       When we think of white haired men, we think of men with gray hair.

a.       Gray hair indicates old age.  Jesus was a man, but He was also God.  Therefore, He is an eternal being (John 8:58).

 

Jesus saith unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

 

1)       Preexitence:  Before Abraham was I am.

2)      Self-existence:  “I am.” 

b.      Gray hair also indicates the wisdom that comes from old age (Col. 2:3).

 

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

E.      “…and his eyes were as a flame of fire” (Rev. 1:14).

1.        “Here is the penetrating and soul searching power of Jesus to see all” (Wacaster, p. 54).

2.       “These eyes can flash with the fire of wrath and righteous indignation as in the days of His flesh (Mark 3:5); but also they can glow with love (Mark 10:21), tender pity, and compassion (Luke 22:61)” (Hailey, p. 110).

3.       Hebrews 4:13

 

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight:  but all things are naked and opened unto he eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

F.      “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace…” (Rev. 1:15).

1.        When metals are removed from the fire, they glow with heat.  Anything they touch can be greatly harmed.

2.       Two comments:

a.       “When the Lord comes in judgment with feet glowing as though fired in a furnace, aglow as if still in the crucible, He is able to tread under foot and turn to ashes all that His feet touch” (Hailey, p. 110).

b.      “When the Lord came in judgment upon the Jews, he came with feet glowing hot like metal.  This would signify his ability to tread under foot all the enemies of God and the church” (West, p. 111).

c.       This imagery is used to describe the conquering nature of God’s people in Malachi 4:3.

 

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

 

G.    “…and his voice as the sound of many waters” (Rev. 1:15).

1.        When I think of “the sound of many waters,” I think of rushing water as it crashes over a waterfall.  (Ex., Arkansas cave with Pathfinders group).

2.       The Lord’s voice is powerful, strong, and resolute.

3.       See Exodus 20:18-19

 

And all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking:  and when the people saw it, they removed and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear:  but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

H.    “And in his right hand seven stars…” (Rev. 1:16)

1.        The right hand is a symbol of power and strength (Ps. 110:1).

2.       In Revelation 1:20, the seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches.  The Lord holds them, guides them, and protects them in His right hand.

3.       “There is another dimension to be added to this imagery.  In the 1st Century there appeared upon the imperial coins not only a profile likeness of the Caesar, but seven stars as well.  These stars symbolized the supreme power of the Caesar in all matters religious, political, and economic.  The symbol is, perhaps, used to show all power, authority, might, and dominion are held in the right hand of the Messiah, not in the hand of the Caesars.  The Emperors of Rome claimed to be gods having dominion over the heavens and the earth.  What John saw was a way of contradicting the claim of the Caesars while showing Jesus Christ is the One who has dominion over all, including the Roman Empire” (West, p. 112).

 

4.       We will look at “who” these stars could be in our next lesson.

 

I.        “…and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword…” (Rev. 1:16).

1.        The sword is a weapon of war.  It is the manner in which the Lord destroys his enemies. 

2.       The sharp twoedged sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12).

 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

3.       Two edges:

a.       Some have said the sword cuts going in and cuts coming out.

b.      The two edges might represent grace on the one side for those who accept the Word and judgment on the other side for those who reject the Word.

 

J.       “…and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev. 1:16).

1.        Here we see the Christ in His glorified state in the heavenly realm.

a.       It was manifest on the Mount of Transfiguration to Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:2).

b.      It was the glory He desired to have again with the Father (John 17:5).

c.       It was the glory displayed to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3).

2.       Notice that His glory is like unto “the sun” as it shines “in his strength.”

a.       It is so bright it is blinding.

b.      Two verse:

1)       I John 1:5

 

This then is the message that we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

2)      Revelation 21:23

 

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:  for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb it the light thereof.

 

IV.               JOHN’S REACTION (Rev. 1:17a)

 

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

 

A.      The voice of God can make men believe they will die.

 

B.       At the sight of God men cannot be but awe-stricken and crumble in His presence.

 

C.      When He comes, all will bow in His presence (Phil. 2:10).

 

V.                  THE LORD’S RESPONSE TO JOHN (Rev. 1:17b-18)

 

…And he laid his hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

A.      The Savior comforted John.  He did not want him to be in the grip of terror while in His presence.

 

B.       Jesus is our brother since he took upon Him the form of a man.  He longs for us to be respectful, but comfortable, in His presence.

 

VI.               WRITE (Rev. 1:19)

 

A.      John was commanded to write.

 

B.       LESSON:  Aren’t we glad that God chose to reveal His mind to us?  We should be appreciative of the apostles and prophets whom God used to manifest His will to the world.

 

VII.             THE MYSTERY (Rev. 1:20)

 

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches:  and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

A.      Mystery

1.       Strong (3466):  to shut the mouth, a secret or “mystery”

2.       Thayer:  hidden thing, secret, mystery

 

B.       God often refers to His revelation in the New Testament as a mystery.

1.       It is a mystery in the sense that at one time it was not revealed to man.

2.       However, in the New Testament, God makes known the mystery through revelation, that is, through uncovering what used to hidden from view.

3.       Ephesians 3:3-4

 

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    This is the individual who is addressing this Revelation to the churches (Rev. 1:1).

 

B.      It is this individual who is walking among the seven golden candlesticks.

 

C.     It is a figure that is intended to be descriptive, impressive, and awe-inspiring.

 

D.    We have a tendency to dismiss the remarkable features of “the Son of man.”