I TURNED TO SEE THE VOICE THAT SPOKE WITH ME

 

I turned to see the voice that spoke with me

 

(12) "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) 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. (14) His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters, (16) And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: (18) I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1: 12 - 18.

 

The very first and most important vision John saw in this revelation was Jesus Christ Himself. The Alpha and Omega is central to all of biblical prophecy. Without Him the whole prophetic program would collapse.

 

The apostle John did see Jesus Christ standing in the middle of seven candlesticks. These candlesticks symbolize the seven churches he is writing to so we can come to the conclusion that these are not just any kind of candlesticks.

 

There was a lampstand that stood in the ancient Jewish Tabernacle. The real question is what was the purpose of this lampstand. The reason was to illumine all the articles of worship or to give them clarity. This pictured Jesus Christ as the light of the world illuminating people to the meaning of the things of God. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh unto the world." John 1:9.

 

The candlesticks were selected to symbolize the Church. It is probably a good idea to quote two other verses in the Bible. (22) "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1: 22 - 23. This pictures the church as the body of Christ on earth. There is a purpose to spread the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to a dark and spiritually needy world. Jesus made it clear to His followers that we are the light of the world. These verses show that Jesus Christ is standing in the middle of these churches but He is also guiding them to faith, obedience and maturity. To say that our Savior and Lord is interested in everything about His body (the church) regarding what they are doing would be an understatement but He is also interested in everything that happens to us as individuals and a corporate body because results in Him would be our fruit for God.

 

John gives a description of Jesus Christ and it is awe - inspiring. The first observation is He wears the clothing of a priest and judge. Jesus Christ is wearing a long robe clothed with a garment. There is a reason He performs the role of a priest because it is for the behalf of all His children.

 

Verse thirteen uses the term paps because this is for the chest. That is just one example in Scripture that denotes Him as Priest and Judge. "I beheld till. the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire." Daniel 7:9.

 

The Son of God is forced to manifest Himself as a judge to all who have rejected His offer of forgiveness. His white head and hair symbolize His pureness and infinite wisdom. His flaming eyes will burn a hole through a person whose life is ungodly. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Corinthians 3:13. I have had pure people stare at me with a steady look when I was living an unrighteous life and it is very disheartening especially when they see through into a secret impurity of my life. It is a very convicting experience.

 

In verse fifteen the Bible says His feet like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace. In the word of God bronze is consistently a symbol of judgment. In the Old Testament the alter of sacrifice and the implements used in the offerings were made of bronze. Jesus Christ is seen here as the judge of the living and the dead.

 

The apostle John saw the glorious form in which Jesus Christ appeared which had to have made an impression on him. He was overpowered with the greatness of the glory in which Jesus Christ appeared.

 

In verse sixteen, And in His right hand seven stars" ... because the right hand is a place of honor. "Which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set him at His own right hand in the heavenly places." Ephesians 1:20. The stars seem to be the angels of the seven churches. When this very same verse writes ... "Out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword" ... this is a symbol both of the truth and of the severity of the word of God. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12. 

 

In verse seventeen when this apostle saw Jesus Christ in all of His Grander he fell down as a dead man but in the goodness of the Alpha and Omega He raised him up to his feet, put strength in him and spoke kind words to John. In Revelation 1:8 Jesus Christ described Himself as the Alpha and Omega. In verse seventeen He gives Himself a similar title as the First and the Last. These were words of comfort and encouragement. "Fear not" were words of instruction particularly telling him I am the First and the Last. I am He that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

When Jesus Christ lifted John up to his feet He acquainted him with His divine nature by saying I an the First and the Last. The second thing Jesus Christ did was explain His former sufferings but also explained His victory. He said I lived, died and am alive forevermore. Jesus was telling this apostle I conquered death and am the source of endless eternal life.

 

Jesus Christ then tells John about His office and authority by saying I have the keys of hell and of death. This is a Sovereign dominion in and over the invisible world. I look around me and see so many people only concentrate on this physical world but there is a place called heaven to gain and a place called hell to shun through Jesus Christ. The keys of hell and death in essence describes Jesus Christ over physical death and hell. "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:14. The sinners that never got right with Jesus Christ go to a temporary place called hades and will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire after the one thousand year rule and reign of Jesus Christ.

 

This is why sincere Christians try and reach out to people that do not truly believe in Jesus Christ. We fall on our face many times giving the gospel to individuals who are not redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Many people just do not care. Their world is about this physical realm but there is an afterlife and I personally believe it is more real than our current existence on this earth. It is a lot longer so if you want to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord now may be a good time to repent of all your sins and invite the Son of God into your life.

 

The word of God is exact and if you will notice there are many corresponding verses to this particular passage and many other texts. The Bible interprets the Bible. I hope this is a message you will think about because it is one hundred percent true. Many of my own family members and friends do not have the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in their lives. It is hard to watch this but you can make this all important decision for your life and eternity right now. Jesus Christ can see right through your heart and desires to come in but you need to repent and let Him run your life. Many people will think about what I said in a sober light and many will just convince themselves it is just not for them but like it or not they are in this biblical script.

 

God bless you,

 

Bob D.