Day 21

“and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. ¹⁴ His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. ¹⁶ In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” Rev 1:13-16 NASB

The appearance of Jesus on Patmos was dazzling. At the sight of Him John essentially collapsed from astonishment (Rev 1:17). Jesus wasn’t anything like the ordinary-seeming human being John had known in Galilee. What was the significance of this stunning description? 

Revelation’s introductory vision (1:12-18) centres on a glorious picture of Jesus. He is like the Son of Man (V:13) , the one who died and is alive forevermore (V:18). Based on Daniel 10:5,6 and a number of other Old Testament texts, this vison portrays the glory of Jesus otherwise only seen in the Transfiguration during His earthly ministry. The characteristics of Jesus in the vision are repeated throughout the seven messages of Chapters 2 & 3. The vision is like the stage backdrop to the first act of a play. 

In this passage, Jesus is as dazzling and impressive as the angel of Daniel 10. But He is even more than that. He also bears the characteristics of God. The hair like wool, the comparison with snow, and the flaming fire are characteristics of the Ancient of Days Himself in Dan 7:9. When He calls Himself the first and the last (1:17-18), there is no question that Jesus comes to John as the God of the Old Testament (Isa 44:6; 48:12). 

This is the second time John has provided a link with the book of Daniel. As we progress, we will find that the books of Daniel and Revelation have intimate connections and work together. 

Like John on Patmos and the first century Christians, who were by the time of this vision experiencing the persecutions of Diocletian, at times dark clouds surround God’s people. It seemed at this point that persecution and oppression would extinguish them. Sometimes the most brilliant beams of God’s glory are revealed in the deepest gloom. Staying faithful in the dark times is the ultimate test of our faith.