We don’t have any photographs of Jesus. That’s good. If we did, we would probably turn them in to idols. Superstitious folk have enough trouble would outlines in tree bark and stains on subway walls in Chicago. Imagine what people would do with an actual photography. On the other hand, without an actual picture of Jesus imaginations run wild. We tend to picture Him as we want Him to be. Our pictures leave nothing that would account for the fear and awe that friend and foe alike saw in the real Christ. We don’t have any photographs of Jesus but that doesn’t mean we don’t have any pictures. In fact, I would suggest that we have a picture of Christ in the book of Revelation. This a revelation from Christ. It is also a revelation of Christ.
“and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” (Revelation 1:13)
The candlesticks are explained in verse 20 as the local churches. Jesus in the midst of the churches suggest the presence of Christ today is in the midst of His churches. The long garment is similar to the priestly robe (Ex. 28:2). It was for glory & beauty. The golden girdle was used by high priest to bind his garments around his belly.
“His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14)
White hair is the emblem of age, honor & wisdom. His flaming eyes are symbolic of piercing vision, searching righteousness & divine judgment on all that is impure. Notice the words ‘as’ and ‘like.’ His eyes weren’t on fire, but they were ‘as’ fire.
and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (Revelation 1:15)
His brass feet are symbolic of judgment. His voice is described in verse 10 a like trumpet to sound his people and in verse 15 like waterfall (powerful).
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)
The seven stars are explained in verse 20 as angels (v. 20). That he held them in His right hand means control, rather than safety & protection. The two-edged sword is symbolic of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). It has two edges so it cuts both ways – creates & destroys. The Greek in Revelation 1:16 for sword is romphaia. This is a long, heavy sword. However, in Hebrews 4:12 the Greek word is makaira. This is a smaller, quicker sword. The Bible is a weapon of conviction and judgment. His shining face is as bright as the sun. We cannot look at the sun in its full strength. Yet, in gloried bodies, believers will see God (1 John 3:2).
“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead…” (Revelation 1:17)
Similar to the Transfiguration 60 years previous (Matt. 17:6), John is overwhelmed with fear. If John, Jesus’ best friend, feared the glorified Lord, who am I?