Revelation Part 15
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Thursday 30th October 1997
Revelation Part 15
(Revelation 1:13-16 NRSV) and in the midst of the lampstands I saw
one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden
sash across his chest. {14} His head and his hair were white as white
wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, {15} his feet
were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was
like the sound of many waters. {16} In his right hand he held seven
stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face
was like the sun shining with full force.
The Son of Man is clothed with might and power. The imagery here is
of pulsating energy and magnificence. This representative angel,
though only Jesus' servant, is vibrant with heavenly energy, the
Lamb of God Himself is even more so (see Rev 5). The ascended Jesus
has entered a realm "far above all principlaties and powers and every
name that is named whether in heaven or on earth..". Jesus now is
awesomely powerful and authoritative. When Paul saw Jesus it was as a
falshing light and a thunderous voice, when John sees Jesus it is
with all heaven and earth worshipping Him. Jesus is majestic.
Our concept of Jesus is limited by religious paintings and the
picture we have from the gospels. This is good, but it describes Him
in His humiliation and not in His glory. Revelation describes him in
His glory. So important is this difference that Paul placed
tremendous emphasis on knowing the ascended Jesus. (2 Corinthians
5:15-17 NKJV) and He died for all, that those who live should live no
longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
{16} Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.
Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we
know Him thus no longer. {17} Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things
have become new.
Paul says that no-one (meaning no believer) is to be known "according
to the flesh" that is as they are in this creation. They are only to
be known for what they are in Christ - a new creation. Even knowledge
of Jesus, in the earthly sense, His likes, dislikes and appearance is
irrelevant. That is why we find no description of Him in this earthly
sense in the gospels. The closest we come is when Luke give us His
approximate age at the start of His ministry. When the New Testament
describes Jesus to believers it always describes Him in terms of His
ascension. It is the ascended Jesus, the Lamb upon the throne, that
you and I pray to. It is the ascended Jesus who will return in power
and great glory. The robe and sandals have been put to one side. Now
the sceptre and the throne are far, far more fitting.
We need to avoid mawkish sentiment when we think of Jesus. We are not
dealing with a quaint icon of religion. We are dealing with the One
through whom all things were created. (John 1:3) We are not
addressing a carpenter or a rabbi or even a prophet but the Lamb of
God. He is not a "nice young man" He is God with all the authority
that word implies and He will end the world with a single word.
(Heb 1:3, 2 Peter 3:5-7)
Prayer:
There is nothing beyond Your control Lord Jesus. Death and Hell and
Heaven and earth will all bow before You. You rule. Instill this
truth into the deep quiet strong recesses of my soul and spirit so it
will continually dawn on me in the midst of life. So often Lord I
think of You as One who needs my help, as a tired prophet in need of
an assistant. Once You needed that, but no more! Lord Jesus You do
not need me but I need You. Show me Your greatness so that I may live
right and believe the Truth. Amen.
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John Edmiston ([email protected])
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