Revelation 1:13-14

Revelation 1:13-14

And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band (Revelation 1:13).

Son of Man – The glorified Lord of the church moving among His churches (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 28:20; 18:20; Hebrews 13:5).  The living Christ indwells His church to lead and empower it. (Philippians 4:13). The term “Son of Man” is used for the first time in Psalm 8:4, prophesying His first coming in humility, and the last time in Revelation 14:14, prophesying His second coming in power.

Garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band – pictures Christ in His role as the great High Priest of His people (Isaiah 6:1; Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 16:4). His offering was infinitely superior to that of any human high priest (Hebrews 2: 17-18; 3:1; 4:14; 7:25; 9:11-12). As our High Priest, Christ once offered the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins and permanently, faithfully intercedes for us (Romans 8:33-34).

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14).

His head and hair were white like wool – the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9). This affirms Christ’s deity, and He possesses the same attribute of holy knowledge and wisdom as the Father. White (leukos, Gk.) bright, blazing, brilliant. It symbolizes Christ’s eternal, glorious, holy truthfulness (Matthew 17:2).

His eyes like a flame of fire – speaks of His searching, revealing, infallible gaze that penetrates His church (Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:13). Jesus will not fail to recognize and deal with sin in the church.

We shall see Him as He is, not as He was – Henry M. Morris.