represent the Seven Churches
"the seven lampstands... are the seven churches" (Rev. 1:20).
Lamps are powered by
oil,
a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The church is not the source of light, but the
bearer of the light
(John 1:4-8). Believers are to actively
expose
darkness
(Eph. 5:11-14).
Similar to the
menorah
in the tabernacle
(Ex. 25:31), but
individual
lamps.
1:13 - in the midst, one like the Son of Man
in the midst of the seven lampstands
Christ is in the midst of
His
churches and grants them His authority
(Mat. 18:20).
Believers occupy a similar position as Old Testament Levites who encamped around the
glory of the Lord
(Num. 1:50;
1Chr. 9:27).
a permanent position
In the Old Testament, the glory of the Lord departed from Israel due to sin
(1S. 16:14;
Ps. 51:11;
Eze. 8:6).
New Testament believers are baptised, indwelt, and
sealed
with the Holy Spirit "for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). See also:
John 6:27;
John 14:16;
2Cor. 1:22;
Eph. 1:13.
1:13 - like the Son of Man, clothed, girded
like the Son of Man
The Son of Man who is presented to the Ancient of Days in Daniel's vision
(Dan. 7:13).
Ezekiel also saw "a likeness with the appearance of a man" high above the throne
(Eze. 1:26).
The high priest understood the significance of Jesus' claim to be the Son
of Man
(Mat. 26:64).
Jesus describes Himself at His Second Coming using this phrase:
Mat. 24:30;
Mark 13:26;
Luke 21:27.
Stephen saw Him just before his death
(Acts 7:56).
a garment down to the feet
The garment and golden band appear to refer to priestly garments
(Gen. 37:3;
Ex. 28:4;
Lev. 8:7), although the priestly sash is not made of gold.
Christ has an unchangeable priesthood because He continues forever
(Heb. 7:14). "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25).
Very similar to the vision of Daniel by the Tigris
(Dan. 10:5).
1:14 - head and hair white, eyes like a flame
white head and hair
Just like the Father, the Ancient of Days
(Dan. 7:9), Jesus shares the same glory as the Father
(John 17:5)
!
May refer to purity
(Isa. 1:18), but more likely His radiant glory
as at the transfiguration.
eyes like a flame
Symbolic of His omniscience
(John 1:48), ominipresence
(Ps. 139:7), and role as judge
(John 5:22-27).
1:15 - feet, voice
feet as 'fine brass'
The brass is "as refined in a furnace." "Fine brass" is an unknown Greek word
(chalkoli'banos )
which may refer to "glowing brass" indicating His glory, or
it may refer to the
hardness and purity
of the resulting refined metal.
God treads His enemies underfoot
(Isa. 63:3;
Rev. 19:15).
voice as the sound of many waters
Describes the sound of a multitude
(Isa. 17:12-13)
or noise like the tumult of an army
(Eze. 1:24).
Daniel heard a similar extremely powerful voice
(Dan. 10:6)
as did Ezekiel
(Eze. 43:2).
1:16 - seven stars, sword
seven stars
These are explained: "the angels of the seven churches" (Rev. 1:20).
They are "in His right hand," the place of
protection and favor.
out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword
God's creative acts are
spoken forth
(Gen. 1;
2Pe. 3:5).
Messiah's mouth is like a sharp sword
(Isa. 49:2)
and with His lips He will "slay the wicked" (Isa. 11:4). With this sword, He will "strike the nations" (Rev. 19:15).
This is the sole offensive weapon of the Christian
(Eph. 6:17).
God's judgment will be in accordance with His Word
(Rev. 20:12).
1:16 - countenance like the sun
like the sun
The
second time
John has seen His glory shine from His face
(Mat. 17:2).
Just like the Father, the glorified Christ "dwells in unapproachable light" (1Ti. 6:13-16).
1:17 - fell as dead, right hand on me, First and Last
Overwhelmed by God's Presence
All those who were privileged to see the glory of God recognized their
inadequacy and sin in His presence:
Isaiah
(Isa. 6:4), Ezekiel
(Eze. 1:28), Daniel
(Dan. 10:8, 16-17), Peter, James, and John
(Mat. 17:6), Paul
(Acts 9:4). "The beloved disciple, who had handled the Word of life, lain in his Lord's bosom in the days of his flesh, can as little as any other endure the revelation of his majesty."
God's Messengers Restored
Daniel and Ezekiel were similarly restored
(Dan. 10:8;
Eze. 2:1-2). Isaiah's unclean lips were purged by a seraph
(Isa. 6:5-7). John was similarly restored at the Transfiguration of Jesus
(Mat. 17:6-7).
the First and the Last
God is said to be "everlasting" (Gen. 21:33). He "inhabits eternity" (Isa. 57:15).
Jesus is applying to Himself the
divine title! " Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
'I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God. " (Isa 44:6).
1:18 - He who lives, and was dead
He who lives
Present active participle: "the living one." An essential attribute of God. He is the source and
active sustainer
of all life.
and was dead
When did God die?!
At the crucifixion of Jesus!
This verse is the cure
to all cults and false religions which deny the deity of Christ. Even the
New World Translation
(Jehovah's Witness Bible) contains this verse. It is an absolutely clear
statement of the deity of Jesus Christ, the God-man who died for the sins
of the world.
1:18 - behold I am alive, keys of Hades and Death
behold I am alive
Take note! I
was dead
but now
living I am forever!
" I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Do you believe this? " (John 11:25-26)
DO YOU??
keys of Hades and Death
It is by death that people enter Hades.
Whereas death holds men's
bodies, Hades holds their souls.
The entrance of Hades is described as being controlled by gates
(Job 38:17;
Ps. 9:13;
Mat. 16:18). Those held therein are "prisoners." (Isa. 24:22;
1Pe. 3:19).
Jesus unlocks those gates setting men free from death itself and the bondage of the fear of death
(Gen. 3:19;
1Cor. 15:55;
Heb. 2:15)!
1:19 - write the things
write!
John is commanded to write 14 times in this book! John is an
observer and scribe, not an author crafting a literary work!
What is John to write?
God's outline is given in this verse.
the things which you have seen
The visions of Chapter 1, especially the coming (v. 7)
and deity of Christ.
the things which are
The current state of the churches at the time of John's writing
(chapters 2 and 3).
the things which will take place after this
The events of the distant future, from Chapter 4 onward.
1:20 - mystery, seven stars, lampstands, angels
mystery of the seven stars and lampstands
Mystery -- something unknown, but revealed by God.
The stars are "in my right hand." They are
protected
and
favored .
stars are the angels of the churches
Stars are often used as symbols of angels
(Job 38:7;
Isa. 14:13;
Rev. 9:1).
Human beings are said to shine "like stars" (Dan. 12:3). The twelve sons of Israel are represented as stars
(Gen. 37:9;
Rev. 12:1).
But
who
is the angel (singular) of each church?
1)
A heavenly guardian angel?
2)
A human messenger from the church?
3)
A human leader of the church?
4)
An abstract personification of the church?
lampstands are the churches
See slide 1.
Jesus threatens to "remove your lampstand" from the Ephesian church
(Rev. 2:5).
For additional information on this topic, see the commentary.