“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And
having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. His head and hair were white like
wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like
fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many
waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”
(Revelation 1:12-16 NKJV)
Who is Christ Jesus? He is above all and through all and in
all (Ephesians 4:6). Nothing was made that was made without Him. Christ is
upholding all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In the vision John
saw, Christ was in the midst of the seven golden lampstands which represent the
seven churches. It indicates that the Lord of the churches is Christ Jesus. Christ
is the head of church. This is a very significant truth that the head of church
is none other than Christ Jesus. The mystery of church has been hidden for ages
and generations and now disclosed by the coming of Christ on the earth.
Christ came and died, buried and rose again from the dead,
and ascended into heaven. The Risen Lord as promised met the disciples in
Galilee and prophesied on John that he would remain till Christ came (John
21:23). That word of Jesus was fulfilled here when John saw the Son of Man in
the midst of the seven lampstands while he was in exile and tribulation at the
island of Patmos. The Son of Man was so brilliant, marvelous, and awesome in character
and image.
Christ the Lord in glory clothed with a garment down to the
feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. The garment down to the
feet and the gold band indicate the priesthood and deity of Christ. His white
hair like wool indicates wisdom and purity and His eyes like a flame of fire,
omniscience that nothing can be hid. His feet like fine brass, as if in a furnace,
and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven
stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was
like the sun shining in its strength, indicating that He bears the intensity of
truth.
The image of Christ in glory is sharply contrasted with that
of Christ in the likeness of man. He was the Son of God and yet He was tortured
and crucified like a criminal on the cross. There was no beauty that we should
desire in Him (Isaiah 53:2). Christ crucified is the picture of the fallen humanity,
the first Adam. Christ Risen is the picture of the restored humanity before the
creation of the world. Just as He was transfigured in a mountain before the
eyes of three disciples, Peter, James, and John, Christ Risen was ascended into
heaven and seated at the right hand of God forever.
Christ the Son of God we now believe is in such a glory and
splendor and majesty. As John saw the Christ of God in glory, so He is among
us, ruling and reigning the kingdom of God until all things are made subject to
Him (1 Corinthians 15:28). He is the head of all churches on the earth. He is
Lord of all things. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Therefore, honor and
glory Him in whatever circumstances and surroundings. Amen.
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