This is the third installment in my series on the Attributes of Jesus taken from Revelation 1. (Here are part 1 and part 2.) Today's items are found in verses 13 through 15.
Among the lamp stands
The lamp stands represent the church. He walks among His people. He is in our midst. He doesn't leave us. By the Holy Spirit, we burn in love and joy and praise before God with faith and character that have been refined through trials as if by fire. There were lamps in the tabernacle and temple the priests were responsible to tend. They trimmed the wicks and filled the oil to provide a constant, pure light. Jesus too is the final High Priest giving us the oil of His Spirit to burn for Him. Revelation 1:20; Matthew 18:20, 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; Job 23:10; Zechariah 13:9; 1st Peter 1:6-9; Matthew 3:11Son of Man
In Jesus, God became man so He knows what we are going through and can come to our aid. We don't have a priest who cannot relate to us, but one who knows what we go through. He has, once for all, obtained redemption for us and, because of His sacrifice, as a man, He will rule and reign forever. Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15, 9:11-12; Revelation 5:9; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 24:30, 26:64; Mark 13:26, 14:62; Luke 21:27Robe to feet
The robe, in conjunction with the sash, are priestly garments, again showing His role as one who mediates between God and mankind. The robe represents the salvation and righteousness by which He rules and which He confers upon His people. Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 8:7; Hebrews 7:25-28; 2nd Chronicles 6:31; Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 132:9,16; Romans 3:21-26, 5:14-21; 1st Corinthians 1:30-31; Philippians 1:9-11Golden sash on His chest
Like the robe above, the sash indicates His position as priest. This evokes the image Paul gives regarding the armor of God: the robe of truth and breastplate of righteousness. Jesus is the Truth. He is our righteousness. Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 8:7; Isaiah 22:21; Ephesians 6:14; John 14:6; 1st Corinthians 1:30Head and hair like wool and snow
This passage directly links Jesus of John's vision to the Ancient of Days of Daniel's vision. White hair symbolizes the wisdom of age. There is no one who has more wisdom than Him. This direct link also confirms Jesus' devine nature. He is God just as the Father is God. Daniel 7:9; Job 12:12-13Eyes like blazing fire
Fire symbolizes judgement. Judgement can bring one of two results. It can condemn or it can reward. It can destroy and purify. Like light destroys darkness, God's presence destroys those who are against Him. But for those who join themselves to Him, it purifies and protects. It provides light and guidance and brings glory to God. Jesus is the light of heaven. Genesis 19:24; Exodus 13:21; Psalm 11:6; Isaiah 43:2, 64:1-2, 66:15; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2-6; Matthew 5:14-16, 6:22; Luke 3:9, 8:16-17, 11:36; Acts 2:3; 1st Corinthians 3:12-15; Revelation 19:11-12, 21:23, 22:5Feet like burnished bronze, glowing from a furnace
Feet are the place of subjection. Enemies are trampled underfoot. Bowing at the feet shows respect and submission. Bronze represents judgement. The altar in the tabernacle and temple was of bronze as were all the utensils accompanying it. The altar is where sin was judged and atoned for by sacrifice. Moses lifted up the bronze serpent to bring healing to the people being judged for their sins. In the same way, Jesus was lifted up on the cross to provide healing to all who would look to Him for their salvation. Glowing from a furnace represents purity. Combining these concepts, all judgement is subject to Jesus, or in other words, He is the supreme judge because He was the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world. His judgement is correct. There is no impurity in it. Feet: 2nd Samuel 22:38-39; Esther 8:3; Mark 7:25, 22:5; 1st Corinthians 15:27; Hebrews 2:8; Bronze: Exodus 27:1-8; Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14-15; Furnace: Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9; 1st Corinthians 3:11-13; 1st Peter 1:6-8Voice like many waters
These are the same words that were used to describes the Father's voice. He speaks and things come into existence. It has to be obeyed. Like a tsunami, His voice is irresistible, loud, cleansing, powerful and majestic. It judges and sweeps away impurity. Like rain, it is life giving. Without it nothing would exist. Genesis 1; Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 13:4,18; Ezekiel 43:2; Psalm 29:3-9; John 1:1-5; Revelation 16:1-12, 21:1-8That's it for today. We'll finish the rest next time. As always, if you have any thoughts, please leave them in the comments below.
Hi. I'm Harley and I have several interests, but the focus of this site mainly involves my thoughts on miscellaneous subjects such as religion, politics and anything else that catches my fancy. 
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome but I do moderate them. This is simply to keep things wholesome for general family viewing. By default, comments will be accepted. The few things that will cause a comment to be rejected are:
1. It is too long even though it may be well-written and make interesting points. It's supposed to be a comment, not an essay. If you have that much to say, write a blog article and backlink to me.
2. It is nasty, impolite or uses language that is unacceptable.
3. It includes a a link that has a typo or is broken in some other way.
4. It should have been sent as an e-mail since it is clearly addressed to me and does not appear to have been intended for other readers.
5. It is blatantly self-promotional. This does not mean it can't be self-promotional at all, but it should add some value over and above the marketing.