Oct 16
23
Old Testament Reading: Daniel 7:9–14
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 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.” (Daniel 7:9–14, ESV)
New Testament Reading: Revelation 1:12–20
“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.” (Revelation 1:9–16, ESV)
Introduction
The title of last weeks sermon was “We Are Not Alone”, for that is the main thought being communicated in this opening vision of the book of Revelation. Christians do not walk alone in this world. Local churches are not alone. We have one another, and Christ is in the midst of us. Indeed this is meant to bring comfort to Christians living in tumultuous times.
But it should be recognized that the phrase “we are not alone” is not necessarily a comforting one as it stands alone. I can think of plenty of scenarios where the words “we are not alone” would produce an emotion other than comfort.
Imagine two friends camping in a dark and lonely forest. In the middle of the night they hear a twig snap and a rusting in the leaves and one of them says to the other, “we are not alone”. Or think of pair of bank robbers who, in the middle of a bank job, hear footsteps coming down the hallway and one of them says to the other “we are not alone”. Or think of a husband and wife asleep in bed at 2:00am when they hear the pitter patter of their three year old’s feet and one says to the other “we are not alone”.
So you would agree, then, that the phrase “we are not alone” does not automatically bring comfort? The situation matters, doesn’t it? And the nature, character, and intent of the visitor matters. And these are the things that the opening vision of the book of Revelation communicates. Not only does it say “we are not alone”, but it communicates something to us concerning the nature, character, and intent of the one in the midst of us. And it is by knowing him that we come to have peace in this troubled world.
As we come to consider the description of Jesus here in John 1:12-20 it must be remembered that John did not see Jesus as he literally is in heaven now, but rather John was shown a vision in which he saw a figure that represents Jesus. He saw a symbol of Jesus. The symbols do not tell us how Jesus really looks, but rather they communicate to us how things really are with him. The symbols communicate truth to us, not concerning his actual appearance, but concerning his nature, his character, and his activities.This is one of the most important interpretive principles to remember while we study the book of Revelation. We are handling a book that communicates truth to us by way of symbol. To take the symbols as if they were a literal description of things is to miss the point entirely. Jesus does not have a sword for a tongue, friends. His feet are really flesh and bone and not bronze. I imagine his hair to be dark brown and not white. All that is said here of Jesus is of course true, but it is truth communicated by way of symbol. As I’ve pointed out before, if we take this description to be a literal one – one that actually describes the appearance of Jesus to us – then we run into trouble when Jesus is described differently in other places in the book of Revelation. We must remember that he is described in this way – as one with white hair, bronze feet, and a sword for a tongue – in order to communicate truth to us concerning his person and his work.
Let us now consider this one who walks in the midst of us:
One Like A Son Of Man
In verse 12 we read that John “turned to see the voice that was speaking to [him], and on turning [he] saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man…” (Revelation 1:12–13, ESV). Here is the first description of Jesus who walks in the midst of the churches: He is said to be “one like a son of man”.
On the most basic level we are to understand that John saw a man-like figure. The figure looked like that of a man. But we must also understand that the phrase “son of man” is loaded with biblical significance.
The primary Old Testament text that should come to mind when we hear the phrase “son of man” is Daniel 7. This is especially true given the other points of similarities that exist between Daniel 7 and the vision recorded for us here in Revelation 1. The two passages are clearly connected. Daniel 10 and 3 also seem to serve as a backdrop for the vision of Revelation 1. If you take the time to read all of those texts side by side – Daniel 3, 7, 10 and Revelation 1:12-20 – you will see what I’m sure you’ll see what I mean. But time constraints hinder us from exploring those texts in detail.
It is important that a brief word be said about Daniel 7 before we move on. There we read of a vision that Daniel the prophet saw long before the birth of Christ.
First he saw four great beasts rising up out of the sea, one after the other. These beasts represent the succession of great kingdoms. Each beast seems to grow more powerful, more ferocious, more terrifying. Indeed the kingdoms of this earth tend in that direction. They tend to degenerate, not improve with the passing of time. And they are temporary, not eternal. One kingdom gives way to another, and so on.
Then there is a break in the vision and Daniel’s eyes are lifted up from the earthly to the heavenly. Daniel is given a glimpse into the heavenly throne room. There he sees the Ancient of Days. He is on the throne. He is ruling and reigning. He is clothed in glory. He is full of power. He is sovereign over the nations that the terrifying beasts represent. He raises them up and puts them down. This is the heavenly reality. This is the view that we are to have of the world in which we live. Kings will rise and fall. Kingdoms will come and go. But our God reigns forever.
Lastly, Daniel
“saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 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.” (Daniel 7:13–14, ESV)
Who is this “one like a son of man”? He is Jesus! And when was this vision fulfilled? It was fulfilled at Christ’s first coming when Christ died, was buried, rose again, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Daniel was shown a vision of it long before Christ was born. But the event shown to Daniel was fulfilled when Christ ascended to the Father after accomplishing his mission. Christ, at his ascension, “came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.” And “to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” And remember that “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Is this not what Jesus was speaking of when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18–19, ESV)? Is this not what Paul was referring to when he wrote that, because of Christ’s obedience to the Father to the point of death “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11, ESV)?
Indeed, what Daniel saw in the vision has already been fulfilled at the ascension of Christ. He has already come before the Ancient of Days. He has already been given dominion. His kingdom is already here (remember that John referred to himself as a “partner” in this kingdom (1:9) and that we have been made into a kingdom (1:6)). And remember that Christ’s kingdom is unlike the kingdoms of this world. It is a righteous and holy kingdom, and it is an everlasting kingdom that will never pass away.
Friends, when John describes this figure that he sees walking in the midst of the lampstands as “one like a son of man” he is saying that the one who walks in our midsts is the one that Daniel prophesied about long ago.
Daniel’s vision was concerning things to happen in his future. From his vantage point there would come a day when this “son of man” would come and be presented before the “Ancient of Days”, that is, before God. From Daniels 600 B.C. perspective there would come a day when this “son of man” would be given “dominion and glory and a kingdom… [his] dominion [being] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
John is clearly telling us that this has happened. From his 90 A.D. perspective the “son of man” has already come before the “Ancient of Days”. The “son of man” has already been given “dominion and glory and a kingdom… [his] dominion [being] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” What Daniel prophesied about has happened, and now this “one like a son of man” come to us from the Father, being clothed in glory, having all authority and all power, and he is seen standing in the midst of us.
Brothers and sisters, I pray that you are, first of all, able to understand this. I hope these things are clear. Secondly, I pray that you have the faith to really believe it. There is a difference between understanding something and believing it. God’s desire is that his people would believe what his word says. His desire is that we say “yes”, and “Amen” to the truths being communicated – that we would agree that though the kingdoms of this world seem to be so powerful and so threatening, our Lord reigns. Christ reigns supreme, and he stands in the midst of his people as he advances his kingdom in this world. But thirdly, I pray that you have the wisdom to apply these truths to your life. May your belief in these truths be such that your hearts be filled with hope and peace as we walk in this troubled world.
Jesus Christ is the “son of man” described in Daniel 7. He reappears in the vision shown to John recorded for us in Revelation 1. He is the “son of man” but things have progressed. He has ascended to the “Ancient of Days”. The eternal kingdom has been given to him. He now has all “dominion and glory”. It is he who is standing in the midst of the lampstands – that is, in the midst of the churches.
Clothed With A Long Robe And A Golden Sash
Notice his appearance. He is said to be “clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.” He is dressed like a priest and a king. And this is what Christ is. He is our prophet, priest, and king.
His prophetic office is clearly represented elsewhere in this text. His “voice” is often emphasized, and that is what a prophet does – a prophet speaks the word of God. But he is dressed like a king with a “golden sash around his chest”. He is our king. He rules and reigns now. He is the sovereign. He has all dominion, power, and authority. And notice that he wears the robe of a priest. Christ is our great high priest. He has atoned for our sins. He is the mediator between God and man. He intercedes for us.
And where is this priestly king? He is walking in the midst of the lampstands, which stand for the churches. One of the jobs of the priests in the Old Covenant was to tend to the seven pronged lampstand in the holy place in the temple. The wicks would need to be trimmed and the oil refilled so that the flame would burn continuously. This is what Christ, our great high priest, does with his churches. He walks in the midst of them. He tends to them through encouragement and exhortation so that they would shine bright in this world.
The Hairs Of His Head Were White Like Wool
Notice that the “hairs of his head” are said to be “white, like white wool, like snow”. This is interesting because in Daniel 7 it is the “Ancient of Days” (that is, God) who is said to have hair that is “white like wool”. Here the “son of man” possess this feature. We are to see that, although the “Ancient of Days” and the “son of man” are distinct from one another, they are also related. The “son of man” is indeed “God with us”. He possess eternal life. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him” by the Father. He stands in the midst of us having first stood before the “Ancient of Days”. And he stands in the midst of us with God’s authority.
His Eyes Were Like A Flame Of Fire
Notice that “his eyes were like a flame of fire”. Here we have a metaphor of judgement. Christ sees all, and he will one day judge in righteousness and truth. Earthly judges judge with a limited understanding of things. Their perspective and their knowledge are limited. But Christ sees all and he judges according to truth.
Indeed, the book of Revelation describes a final judgment. Indeed, Christ will judge all fully and finally at the end of time. But Revelation also speaks of Christ’s perpetual judgments. He is judging now.
That is, in fact, the very thing that we will find the “son of man” doing as he walks in the midst of the churches. He inspects his churches. He brings encouragement to them, yes. But he also warns them. For example, to the Ephesian church he will say, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5, ESV).
Christ is judging now. And he judges according to what he sees with his all seeing and all consuming eyes of fire.
His Feet Were Like Burnished Bronze
In verse 15 we read that “his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace” (Revelation 1:15, ESV). Perhaps this symbolizes the fact that Christ walks in the midst of us in holiness. His feet are refined. His churches will be called to also walk in purity.
But when I read that the feet of Christ have been “refined in a furnace” I cannot help but think of that most famous story in the book of Daniel involving those three faithful servants of God named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Those three were threatened by the beast of Babylon and by the powerful king Nebuchadnezzar. They were commanded to bow down and worship before the statute that Nebuchadnezzar had erected. If they refused they would be throne alive in to the fiery furnace. Their reply?
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:16–18, ESV)
The king was enraged. He ordered that the furnace be heated exceedingly hot and he had them thrown in.
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, ‘True, O king.’ He answered and said, ‘But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.’” (Daniel 3:24–25, ESV)
Friends, do you see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not alone in their tribulation? Christ walked in the midst of them and he sustained them in their tribulation. Here, I think, is the meaning of Christ feet appearing like “burnished bronze, refined in a furnace.”
His Voice Was Like The Roar Of Many Waters
The voice of Christ is described as the “roar of many waters”. I’d like to go to Niagara Falls someday. That is what I think of when I read of the “roar of many waters” – a great and overwhelming roar. Indeed, the word of Christ is powerful. At his word the worlds were created. At his word kingdoms rise and fall. At his word the dead souls of men are made to live. At his word the world will be judged. Certainly, his word is powerful.
In His Right Hand He Held Seven Stars
In his right hand Christ holds seven stars. These seven stars, we will learn, represent the “angels of the seven churches” (see verse 20).
Some say that we are to think of the pastors of the seven churches being in Christ’s right hand. The reason for this interpretation is that in the Greek the word translated “angels” is sometimes used to refer to “pastors”. The word literally means “messenger” and it can be used to refer to a angels – that is, of heavenly beings. Or it can refer to humans who serve as God’s messengers to his people.
Though as a pastor I like the idea of being held in Christ’s right hand, it seems best to think of these stars as representing heavenly beings. Every other time this Greek word appears in Revelation outside of chapters 1- 3 it is clearly referring to heavenly beings. We will see that these angels will actually represent the churches themselves. It is interesting to note that each of the letters written to the churches in chapters 2 and 3 will be addressed to the “angel of the” particular church. “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write… And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write…”(Revelation 2:1,8 ESV), and so on and so forth.
The meaning is this: Christ not only walks in the midst of his churches. He also holds them in his hand. And the churches on earth have heavenly representatives. Though we live on earth, really and truly we live in the presence of God. There is a spiritual realm that corresponds to the earthly realm. There is more to the world than meets the eye. We see powerful rulers and nations, but there exists an invisible reality which stands behind those rulers and nations that empowers them. We see local churches, but there exists a spiritual reality which stands behind those churches and empowers them. Christ called his churches out of this world to worship and serve him by the word and Spirit, and he refines his churches in the same way. He also sends his angels – his ministering spirits – to do his bidding.
From His Mouth Came A Sharp Two-edged Sword
From Christ’s mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. Would you listen to Isaiah 11 which prophesied concerning the coming of the Christ long before he came? The prophet spoke, saying,
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:1–4, ESV)
And listen to Isaiah 49:1:3 which also speaks of the coming of Christ:
“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’” (Isaiah 49:1–3, ESV)
The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way:
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12–13, ESV)
Christ judges us now and will judge in the end with the word of his mouth. His word is likened to a sharp sword which cuts this way and that.
His Face Was Like The Sun Shining In Full Strength
Lastly notice that Christ’s face is said to be “like the sun shining in full strength”. There is a connection between this imagey and Daniel 10. But the wording is most closely tied to Judges 5:31 which says, “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5:31, NIV84). This statement appears in the book of Judge at the end of the song of Deborah and Barak which celebrates Israel’s victory over her enemies.
The meaning is this: Christ is portrayed here in Revelation 1:16 as standing in the glory of his victory. Deborah was victorious, but Christ is the ultimate victor. He is our warrior king. He is the victorious Messiah, standing now in the full glory of his victory.
Conclusion
Friends, we are not alone. How do feel about that now that you know a bit more about the one in our midst?
Are you encouraged? There is indeed reason to be encouraged. Be encouraged, friends, knowing that the risen Lord is in our midsts.
But it is possible that you feel a sense of shame. Certainly if you have been living in rebellion the thought of Christ in the midst of us brings guilt. Repent if this is true of you. Know that our Lord stands ready to forgive.
One thing I know, we should all grow in our reverence. When we gather as a congregation to worship we have an honored guest in our midsts. He walks among us. He is the object of our worship. He inspects his churches and seeks to refine. Let us gather on the Lord’s Day with reverence, then. Let us worship in Spirit and in truth as he has ordained. May he be pleased with us as we worship and obey.
