Revelation 1:12-16
(Verses quoted in the post as I explain them.)

Introduction to Ancient Roman Priests

“Ancient Roman priests were charged with performing the religious rituals with exactness and scrupulous care so as to maintain the gods’ good will and support for Rome.” (see Ancient Roman Priests below). 

Priests insured “good luck” for the nation and for individuals. They functioned somewhere between modern “psychic readers” and “shamans.” However, these all, then and now, are but purveyors of idolatry. Psalm 96:4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all [so-called] gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. I added the phrase “so-called” since “idols are but different faces of the dragon Satan” (David deSilva). God alone is God! 

“The job of the [ancient Roman] augures (pictured to the right) was to determine how the gods felt. (In his hand was a Lituus, see below). They accomplished this by divination of omens (omina). Omens might be manifest in bird flight patterns or cries, thunder, lightning, entrails, and more.” (see Ancient Roman Priests below).

Modern Equivalents of Ancient Roman Priests

Why do people need “psychic consultants?” Do we not have the God who created all things and to lead us in His ways? Why consult a horoscope to make a decision? Surely the millions that were born on that same day do not experience the same “fortune!” Beware of anyone who claims to know, and sell you, secret things that will help you! 

God speaks in His Word

Deuteronomy 29:29 is very clear about where our information is to come in order to live for God. “29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” We have God’s revealed Word to guide us in decision-making.

God answers Prayer

When God’s Word does not speak to our situation directly and we are confused about what to do, we have prayer. Prayer to our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, is the way to insure we get the favor of God! Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 

The Clothing of Our Great High Priest in John’s Vision vs. 12-13

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like [the] Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

His Garment vs. 13

Christ in the Vision is set forth as Priest-King of the church militant on earth. His character as King-Priest is emphasized by the descriptions in 1:13-16. Since the Letters to the Seven Churches in Chapters 2 & 3 contain references to this vision, I will not elaborate on these here. (See picture right.)

The Risen Christ wears  a Priestly-Kingly garment [Greek = podḗrēs meaning “a garment coming down to the feet”; the full-length tunic of the high priest]. (see Fee, p. 16, below).

His garments were held together with a Golden sash  = sash worn by the High Priest (see Fee, p. 16, below). Josephus tells us that the sash was made of fine linen which was interwoven with golden threads. There is no doubt that John is referring to Jesus’ Priestly office with which he was invested by the Father.

His Hair and Eyes vs. 14

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

The Risen Christ has white hair  = bright, brilliant hair; language taken directly from Daniel 7:9, where it describes the Ancient of Days. Thus, as in the Gospel that bears his name, John has no difficulty portraying Christ as Divine. (see Fee, p. 17, below).

In Dan. 7:9 the Ancient of Days is the one who has hair white like wool. There is an obvious identification of Divine attributes between the Father and the Son. John’s Christology is indeed exalted!

The Risen Christ’s has eyes like fire = “with eyes as a flame of fire.” Christ is all-penetrating and all-seeing in His knowledge of His world. (see Fee, p. 17, below). This represents Jesus as one who has a penetrating gaze. He has Divine insight into all things. He is the Lord of History and of the Church. Listen to the hymn below.

 

His Feet vs. 15a

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace… .

The Risen Christ is pictured as stable, with feet like bronze smelted in a furnace. He is absolutely sturdy and unable to be tarnished, and thus not subject to decay or falsehood. (see Fee, p. 17, below).

This characteristic represents strength and stability of stature. If you remember the statue in Daniel had feet of clay mixed with clay in Daniel 2:31-25 [Click on the link to read the passage in a new window].
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+2%3A31-35&version=ESV

Christ’s Voice, Right Hand, Mouth, and Visage vs. 15, 16

15b and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars … and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Christ will be heard, with a voice like overpowering sound of rushing waters; (see Fee, p. 17, below). From Ezekiel 1:24 click link below to read it.

Etching of Niagara Falls by Frederic Edwin Church, 1826-1900

The Sword out of His Mouth vs. 16b

16 …from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword.

The Risen Christ is pictured with a sword coming out of his mouth. Christ speaks words of both salvation and judgment. His Words will be realized in time and space and in eternity (see Fee, p. 18, below).

The Risen Christ has a face shining like sun. This aspect anticipates the conclusion of the book (Rev. 21:11—22:5) , where at the eschatological consummation of all things the sun is no longer needed for light because of the presence of God and Christ. (see Fee, p. 18, below). (Click link below to read Rev. 21:11-22:5 in a new window)

Meaning of the Vision to 1st Century and 21st Century Christians

Fee sums up this vision as it was received by the Asia Minor churches—

“Although it is difficult for many people in a verbal culture like ours, having been raised on the sights and sounds of television, to visualize this portrayal of Christ, for John’s readers it would most likely have been readily available to their imaginations.

“Here stands the true high priest—the heavenly one, Christ himself—and as such he has something to say to the church, two generations after his death and resurrection.” (see Fee, p. 18, below).

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophesy as our great Priest-King, like Melchizedek. No matter what occurs around us, Christ will defend and comfort us as his children. He will also judge and punish all His and our enemies. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 (Click this link to read this passage in a new window)

Application of Vision of the Risen Christ

More next time on Rev. 1:17-18, 20. 

Notes

7 Tips for Understanding Revelation. (2017). Zondervan Blog. Accessed January 11, 2019 from https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/how-read-revelation/

Baker. (1996). Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. s.v. “Kingdom of God.” accessed January 23, 2019 from https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/kingdom-of-god.html

ESV. English Standard Version of the Bible accessed from https://www.biblegateway.com

Fee, Gordon D. Revelation (New Covenant Commentary Series). Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Ancient Roman Priests. (2019). “Ancient Roman Priests: Functions of Various Ancient Roman Priests” Accessed April 26, 2019 from https://www.thoughtco.com/ancient-roman-priests-116638

Lituus. Accessed April 26, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lituus

© 2019 C. Richard Barbare All Rights Reserved

Revelation 1:12-16

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

As we saw in the previous post, Jesus Christ appears in Revelation 1:12-16 as Priest-King of his people.

The Ancient world was filled with statues and temples. Believers in Christ couldn’t get away from pagan gods and priests. In our approach to Revelation we often do not take into account the significance of public statues in the ancient world. The one of Nero, pictured left (Colosseo), gave its name to the gladiatorial arena eventually erected near it — the Colosseum.

I have seen one such smaller statue in Ephesus which was intentionally headless so it could be changed depending upon who was the current Emperor. The statue always had an Augustus-like appearance (except the “Colosseo” of Nero).

John has in his vision a Figure far larger than anything dedicated to an Emperor of Rome.

The Vision in Revelation 1:12-16 and the Book of Daniel

Note the following use of the Old Testament symbols from the book of Daniel in the vision of Christ in Revelation 1 —

White like wool (Daniel 7:9)
One like a son of man, coming with the clouds (Daniel 7:13)
Belt of the fine gold (Daniel 10:5)
Eyes like flaming torches (Daniel 10:6)
Arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze (Daniel 10:6)
Like the sound of a multitude (Daniel 10:6)

In this passage, understanding Daniel’s images helps us understand Revelation. John often uses the Old Testament language to describe what he’s seen and heard. (emphasis mine; see 7 Tips below).

Old Testament Background to the Vision of Christ

John now relates his vision of the Son of man. The vision is drawn from Daniel—

Daniel 7:13-14 (Click link to read this passage)

Daniel 10:5-6 (Click link to read this passage)

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Daniel’s Son of Man who receives a kingdom from the Ancient of Days.

The Kingdom is not a futuristic, earthly Kingdom, but is a spiritual Kingdom inaugurated at Jesus’s first appearing and will be consummated at the second coming. The “Kingdom of God” [is] the ‘rule of God.'” 

Should [“Kingdom of God”] be understood statically as denoting a realm or place? If this is correct and”kingdom” refers to a territory or piece of real estate, then it is evident that the kingdom of God cannot have arrived.

Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the term “kingdom” is understood as dynamic in nature and refers primarily to the rule or reign of a king. It is seldom used in a static sense to refer to a territory. (See Baker below).

Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is dynamic at present = “the now” aspect of it.
Jesus Christ’s Kingdom will be static in the future = “the not yet” aspect of it.

More next time on Rev. 1:17-18, 20. 

Notes

7 Tips for Understanding Revelation. (2017). Zondervan Blog. Accessed January 11, 2019 from https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/how-read-revelation/

Baker. (1996). Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. s.v. “Kingdom of God.” accessed January 23, 2019 from https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/kingdom-of-god.html

ESV. English Standard Version of the Bible accessed from https://www.biblegateway.com

Fee, Gordon D. Revelation (New Covenant Commentary Series). Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.

© 2019 C. Richard Barbare All Rights Reserved

Revelation 1:12-16

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (see ESV below).

Jesus Christ appears here as Priest-King of his people. In a previous section (Rev. 1:4-8) he appeared as King-Priest. The difference is in emphasis ( see NT use of OT below).

The True Temple in Heaven

Jesus as Priest-King appears here in a temple setting. The temple is in heaven. Note Hebrews 8:1-7 (link to read these verses).

Moses saw on Mt. Sinai the temple in heaven and was told to erect a Tabernacle “according to that pattern” he saw there. In the Revelation, references to the temple are to this temple in heaven, not a past structure or future structure in Jerusalem.

Source of Figure Link

Christ Tends to His Churches

Christ is seen in John’s vision as tending to the seven lampstands. These Lampstands are representative of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor mentioned in Rev. 1:11 (Click link below to read this passage.)

Why Seven and not more? There were other churches in Asia Minor. “These seven churches represent the entire Church throughout [all ages of the church].” (see Hendriksen, pp. 52-53, below).

Single Seven-Branched Lampstand in the OT Temple

In the OT, the Lampstand was a single, seven-branched stand (like the one pictured to the left). Israel was one and drew all nations into it. Zechariah 4:2-6 is the background for this part of the church. In the NT, the Church is dispersed into the world and draws all men into its several assemblies, hence the seven lampstands. (Click on the link to read Zechariah 4:2-6.)

In Zechariah’s vision the seven lamps (4:2) seem to represent the power of the Spirit (4:6) which will give the people of Israel (the lampstand on which the lamps sit) the power by which to rebuild the temple. The Jews understood the light that came from its lamps to represent the presence of the Lord (Num. 8:1-4). Click on link to read this passage.)

John’s Seven Lampstands in the New Testament Era

John sees seven lampstands, each representing one of the seven churches and all together representing the universal church. The church, as the continuation of true Israel, is likewise to draw its power from the seven lamps, which represent the Holy Spirit (Rev. 1:4; 4:5), as it seeks to build the new temple of God. (see Beale, (p. 47), below).

It is obvious much of Revelation One is set against the backdrop of Roman Religion. Asia Minor saw Augustus as Pontifex Maximus (state chief priest) depicted everywhere in statues throughout their cities.

Christ reveals Himself as the High Priest of His people in fulfillment of the Old Testament Priest-King Melchizedek. Romans were used to seeing statues change heads. Each new Emperor’s head was placed on the Imperial Statue of Caesar.

I once thought, like most tourists, that statues in ancient Greek cities had been vandalized and their heads were lopped off by pillagers. At Corinth, where there are many statues, mostly headless, the docent told us statues were carved in a general way, stockpiled, and the head carved from the patron’s image who would buy it. We can see how this worked well with Imperial Statues. Caesars changed frequently and the head alone needed replacing.

How wonderful that Christ is a Priest forever! Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Old Testament Fulfilled in Rev. 1:12-20

Justice is two fold: (1) retributive — judgment upon the wicked; (2) remunerative — reward of the righteous. Government notoriously fails in both when the Christian revelation is not the basis of all its laws. Government programs impoverish the very persons intended to benefit. The real beneficiaries of the nanny-state are the government elite and its paid cronies. This was true of Rome and it’s true of 21st Century Western governments in a socialist mode. 

Have we perhaps been treated badly? Have persons at work maligned us? Have neighbors taken advantage of us? Have we been defrauded in business? God is the ultimate Judge and one who metes out punishment for all injustices suffered by his people! The revelation of Christ as Priest-King-Judge gives us hope to carry on in the face of mistreatment in this world. I Peter 2:16 — “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 20 …if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”  

More next time on the details of the vision of Christ.

Notes

Beale, G. K.. Revelation. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.

ESV. English Standard Version of the Bible accessed from https://www.biblegateway.com

Hendriksen, William. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

NT use of OT. (2007). “Revelation” from Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. ed. by G. K. Beale & D. A Carson. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. This is an excellent resource for interpreting OT images in the Revelation.

© 2019 C. Richard Barbare All Rights Reserved