Revelation Chapter 1Second Continued

Revelation Chapter 1Second Continued

Certainly! Let's continue with our discussion of Revelation Chapter 1.

In verses 12-16, John describes the vision of the glorified Christ that he saw:

"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 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."

This vision of Christ is highly symbolic and represents his authority and power over the church. The seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches to which the book of Revelation is addressed, and Christ's presence in their midst indicates his close relationship with each of them. The description of Christ's appearance is also highly symbolic, with each detail representing a different aspect of his divinity and authority.

For example, the white hair and fiery eyes represent Christ's wisdom and omniscience, while the burnished bronze feet represent his strength and immovability. The sharp two-edged sword represents the power of his word, while the seven stars in his hand represent the angels of the seven churches. Finally, his face shining like the sun represents his glory and holiness.

In verses 17-20, John falls at Christ's feet as though dead, but Christ reassures him and commissions him to write down the things he has seen:

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

These verses emphasize the importance and authority of Christ, who has power over life and death and holds the keys to the afterlife. They also serve as a commissioning of John to write down what he has seen, both the present reality of the churches and the things that are to come in the future.

Overall, Revelation Chapter 1 sets the stage for the rest of the book, introducing the key themes and symbols that will be expanded upon in later chapters. It emphasizes the authority and power of Christ over the church and the world, and serves as a call to repentance and faithfulness to those who read and hear its words.

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