A Vision of Christ Jesus (Part 3 - The Book of Revelation)

Revelation 1:9–16 (ESV) — I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 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. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 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.

Some of us remember the satirical political comics. Perhaps a picture of an elephant and a donkey holding a sign or wearing some ridiculous sign on their backs. Maybe a large man dressed fancy, wearing a coat made of money, representing the greed of Wall Street. It was all symbolic. The extreme imagery in these comics was meant to convey a headline message about the characters being portrayed. You wouldn’t go to Wall Street in NYC and see men and women wearing suits made of actual money. It is a symbolic picture of greed.

This is the way you interpret much of the content of the book of Revelation. You have to ask, “What is this picture conveying? What is it trying to point me to understand? Our passage of text this morning needs to be approached this way. The symbolic language kicks in here for much of the rest of the book.

This is a good place to share a critical rule to interpreting the visions in this book. The Book of Revelation shows us how things are, not how they look to the physical eye. Things are not as they seem to appear to be. That is why we need to walk by faith and not by sight. Sight will deceive you, God’s word will not. It tells us the true reality.

This is one reason why a person who reads, hears, understands, and lives by this book is blessed (Rev.1:3). When you learn this truth and live by it, you have learned not to judge and accept reality as it appears to the naked eye. Such are those who learn to see reality as it truly is, and not by the outward façade produced by the ungodly world.

We see the ungodly and wicked prosper in this world, and they seem to be doing what they want and how they want, but we know that they are not in control of their destiny. God holds destiny in his hand. Remember Jesus’ parable of the rich landowner who thought he was in control of his destiny and riches? “But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you,” (Luke 12:16-21).

Here are some examples of this principle rule:

• The church in Smyrna appears poor but is rich, and it is opposed by those who claim to be Jews but are actually Satan’s synagogue (Rev. 2:9).

• The church of Sardis has a reputation for life but is dead (3:1).

• The church of Laodicea thinks itself rich and self-sufficient, but this church is destitute and naked (3:17).

• The beast seems invincible, able to conquer the saints by slaying them (11:7; 13:7); However, the faithfulness of the saints even to death proves to be their victory over the dragon that empowered the beast (12:11).

• The congregations of Jesus’ faithful servants appear to the naked eye, on the plane of human history, to be weak, helpless, hunted, and poor. But we read and find they are the true over-comers who participate in the triumph of the Lion who conquers as a slain Lamb.

What appear to be the invincible forces controlling history—the military-political-religious-economic forces are not, in fact, the invincible powers that they appear to be. They are, in fact, already feeling the first lashes of the wrath of the Lamb.

What we see in this book of Revelation is the true identities and realities. Reality is the opposite of their appearance in the world. To quote Dennis E. Johnson, “… the symbols show us something about the church, the great city, the bride, and the Enemy, revealing what does not appear to the naked eye. They display the true identity of these individuals and institutions with a vividness that could not be matched by merely conceptual description. The strength of symbolism is vividness, for often a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Our portion of text in chapter one can be divided into two parts. Verses 12-16, we have a strange vision of Christ Jesus. Then in verses 17-20, we have Christ speaking, even identifying himself. Today, we will focus on how Christ is seen by John. Using the rule of interpretation mentioned, understand that this strange picture of Christ Jesus is all symbolic. He is conveying a message about himself. We could break down each descriptive item, but the point is to see the larger message. The symbolic descriptions pulled together show us something to grasp and embrace.

It is widely agreed among scholars that this vision of Christ is heavily influenced by the prophet Daniel’s vision in the Old Testament book of Daniel. Read Daniel 7:9-14. Notice some similar language used by the prophet Daniel in his vision of the Lord. By the way, Daniel’s vision is also of the Son of God—Christ before his incarnation in Bethlehem. “Hair of his head like pure wool”; “fiery flames”; “the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking”; and “one like a son of man”. Then Daniel 7:14 is the message of the book of Revelation: “And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

This view of Christ is obviously not a literal description of his resurrection body as he now sits at God’s right hand. Certainly, his glorified body, which he ascended to heaven, does not have a sword in place of a tongue, snow-white hair, or a face so overpowering with physical light that it cannot be viewed with joy by the pure in heart (see Matt. 5:8; Rev. 22:4).

Perhaps this is a good place to pause and reflect on John’s reaction upon seeing this vision or version of Christ Jesus. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. The radiance, the purity, the authority of the sharp two-edged sword, dropped John to the feet of Christ. “when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man” (1:17). Daniel’s reaction to a similar vision/version was the same. From Daniel chapters 10 and 15: “As soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.… When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.… “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.” (Dan. 10:9–10, 15–16). This reaction was similar to the prophet Isaiah when he was caught up in the Spirit and saw the glory of God (Isa.6:5), and Paul’s reaction on the way to Damascus (Acts.9:4). The sobering experiences recorded by prophets and apostles in scripture should bring a healthy fear and reverence of our view of the person of Christ Jesus.

Here is the key to understanding Jesus' vision: the symbols seen by John in the vision reveal not what Jesus looks like, but what Jesus is like. This is worthy of repeating. This vision does not show us what Jesus looks like but rather what Jesus is like. The picture symbolically depicts his person and work. “We see Jesus’ identity as the searcher of hearts, full of consuming holiness and boundless wisdom, the perfect priest standing for his people before the Father, the perfect king defending them against the devil by his invincible Word.” 1

Biblically, the work of Christ in His three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. Many Christians see Jesus Lord and Savior, which he is, or see him as the Great Shepherd, which He is. But there is more to the person and work of Jesus. I believe that this vision of Christ reveals more about Christ than what many people know about him. Christ is showing us something; let us see what it is.

I believe Jesus is revealing Himself to His church (us) as the true and great High Priest of His people. John saw Jesus “clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest” (Rev. 1:13), reminding us of the garments made for the high priest Aaron and his sons (Ex. 28:4; 29:9; Lev. 16:4). The Jewish historian Josephus described the priestly robes the same way that John describes for Christ’s –a long robe, and adding that an embroidered girdle was wound around the body.

Jesus, who consecrates God’s kingdom of priests from all the nations, is the high priest who represents his church before the Father (Rev. 1:5–6; 5:9–10). His floor-length robe also resembles that of the angelic scribe in Ezekiel’s vision, whom God commands to mark his faithful people before judgment sweeps through the city (Ezek. 9:3–6). Here is one fit to stand in God’s presence and to protect the righteous, even amid raging storms. The Son of Man’s golden sash, flaming eyes, glowing feet, and radiant face all reflect the splendor of the “man” who appeared to Daniel, sent by God to reveal the future destiny of the people of God (Dan. 10:5–21). Heavenly messengers shine with the glory of the God who sent them from his light-filled court, and the face of this Son of Man is “like the sun shining in its strength.”2 Further, the vision of an enrobed Christ standing among the golden lampstands recalls the priests who served in the temple and kept the lamps alight.

What is a High Priest? What is this role or purpose? In a nutshell, a high priest represents man before God (Heb.5:1). We can learn how Jesus is the better high priest of the old covenant. He is better in many ways. Hebrews 4:14-16 makes it clear that Jesus Christ is our high priest, eternally.

William Barclay comments: “A priest … was a man who himself has access to God and who opens the way for others to come to him; even in the heavenly places, Jesus, the great high priest, is still carrying on his priestly work, opening the way for all to the presence of God.”

Why is it necessary to know Jesus as our High Priest? Reason one: He is eternally was, is, and forever will be our mediator and advocate before the throne of Heaven. As a Christian, you do know that you need someone to mediate between you and the Holy God. Second, because He remains our High Priest forever, His sacrifice for our sins remains forever. Third, this means that His sacrifice for our sins was perfectly accepted by God. His sacrifice for the cleansing of our sins will always be sufficient for our most wicked and prideful sins. Fourth, according to Hebrews 5:9-10, Jesus’ role as high priest is necessary for our salvation and to keep us saved. “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest …” Do you see the linking of the source of eternal salvation and being designated a high priest?

The same priestly Christ whom John saw is ministering for us today. As one commentator wrote (Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture): “The heart that beats beneath the golden girdle is the same that melted with pity and overflowed with love at the cross.” This is Jesus Christ, our Jesus Christ, our perfect and eternal High Priest!

Also in this vision of Christ Jesus, the vision presents Jesus as the true and reigning King--the almighty, victorious King. Notice the language from John in his description. The “feet [of] burnished bronze, refined in a furnace” (Rev. 1:15) are those of a Conqueror who treads the earth in power. The eyes “like a flame of fire” (1:14) are those that pierce into every heart to judge according to truth. Christ rules with His Word, which goes forth from His mouth like a “sharp two-edged sword,” while the glory of His royal face is “like the sun shining in full strength” (1:16).

Here is a King fit to rule, able to conquer, all-knowing to judge, and all-glorious to demand our worship. Rev. 17:14, “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Why is it necessary to know Jesus as your glorious king and conqueror? One reason, there is no other king above Him. He rules all the kings of the earth, throughout history (Rev.1:5). Kings and kingdoms come and go, but Jesus abides as the all-powerful king ruling and reigning from heaven (Matt . 28:18; Daniel 7:13-14; John 5:27). This is the king to bow down to and serve. This is the king to belong to.

Another reason to know him this way, he has promised a kingdom of peace, justice, righteousness, and life without evil; without sin; without sickness and pain; without injustice; without racism; without struggles, and as the Almighty King, He is able to fulfill His promise. As a victorious warrior-king, he will one day crush a final blow to his enemies and establish the promised kingdom. As Revelation tells us, “He will come in judgment against all those who oppose Him and His kingdom. And he will be called, “King of Kings!”. This is who Jesus Christ is, who he is like--our unconquerable king.

This vision also shows Jesus as the Great Prophet, the Perfect Prophet. What is the role or purpose of a Prophet? He represents God before man. He speaks on behalf of God. As the High Priest represents man before God, the Prophet represents God before Man.

Jesus is the Great and Perfect Prophet whose word is double-edged to save those who believe and slay those who refuse their faith. He is the Great Prophet who perfectly reflects the face of God with “his face like the sun shining in full strength.” In Daniel 10, that prophet met an angelic visitor described similarly to Christ in this vision: “a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude” (Dan. 10:5–6).3 The messenger brought Daniel good news of a great hope for salvation. The message pointed to the coming of Jesus.

Why is it necessary to know Jesus as the Perfect Prophet? Jesus can speak for God to mankind, and no one can do so perfectly except Jesus Christ, because He is God. Not only can he speak truth, but He speaks as God! His words and teachings have the full glory and weight of the divine God. Another reason to know him in this way is, as the ultimate Prophet, he speaks the will of God, including God’s calling us unto Himself, and also of the inevitable judgement of God against those who disobey Him. His word is of God, from God, by God. It is therefore to be revered. Also, as the perfect Prophet, he speaks with sovereign authority. His teachings are God’s Word, not mere “good” teachings. He demands our full attention.

Hear Him! He speaks truth in its purest form. Hear Him, there is no other who is the expression and impression of God (Heb . 1:3). If a person wants to know God, they need to seek to know Jesus.

There is a word that captures the meaning of Christ as Priest, King, and Prophet: that word is the Gospel. Christ is not just in the message of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the Gospel. He is the good news. There is a difference between believing in a message about Jesus and embracing the person of Jesus. The gospel of Jesus is that he is our eternal high priest, our victorious King, and the perfect prophet of God.

This was what John needed in his exile on Patmos: Christ in his glorious divine person and the good news of Christ in his saving work. Christ, as Priest, reconciles sinners to God through His blood; Christ, as King, conquers and judges with a two-edged sword; Christ, as Prophet, appears with a hopeful message of saving grace.

There cannot be good news for the human soul, for the tormented soul, for the broken soul, for the lost soul, apart from the perfect priest, the mighty king, and the penetrating word of the perfect prophet. This is Jesus Christ.

As the Christians of John’s time, in the first century, so we need today to remember Jesus as our High Priest, He is our forever mediator and advocate before the altar of heaven. That is Jesus. As the Christians in John’s day, we need today a majestic and mighty king who has no equal! A King who is to lead us and care for us through this life into eternity…that is Jesus. As the Christians in John’s day, we need today a prophet who will speak the truth to us with the power to change us. That is Jesus!

Without Jesus, you have no priest to represent you before the holy God. Without Jesus, you have no king who rules in righteousness and power, who will take you into His kingdom of peace and life. You will be left to fight your own battles. Without Jesus, you will not hear from the God of heaven. Your heart will be deaf to heaven. Heaven will be silent.

But with Jesus, you have heaven opened to you. And he calls you, “Come to Me.” Who is Jesus to you? Do you see the need for Jesus Christ? We need him every day and every minute to be our high priest, king, and prophet. Amen!

1 Dennis E. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation

2 Dennis E. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation

3 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation