What Does Jesus Look Like?

 Revelation 1:11-20

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

 

In, The Almighty Father; Revelation 1:8-10, we discussed how John was, in Spirit on The Lord’s Day, and Jesus showed up. This is a pattern. From Creation to today God seeks those who seek Him. (John 4:23-24).

Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. James 4:8.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you Matthew 7:7.

Jesus told John, “What you see, write”. This was more than just a simple prompting, or spark of inspiration. This was a supernatural visitation from Jesus. 

John saw, heard, felt, even tasted, what Jesus showed him. John was actually transported into the Spirit realm for this Revelation.

"What you see, write." This is the first of twelve times he’s told to write. I’d have to be told, too, so would you; if we were seeing and hearing and feeling all the sights and sounds that were bombarding John. With wide eyes, and trembling hands, his jaw wasn’t the only thing to hit the floor; the scroll and quill probably did too, a time or two… or twelve.

Revelation 1:12 Then I turned to see the Voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

The lampstands were menorahs. The menorah was used to light the temple.

However, the temple had been destroyed for about twenty-five years. Titus destroyed it in, 70 A.D. Later, his brother, Domitian, became emperor and is the one who banished John to the island of Patmos.

Even though the physical temple lay in ruins, God’s temple, was and is and will forever be, growing and glowing—whether banished to an island called Patmos, or retired to a peninsula called Florida.

Jesus said, “I AM the light of the world” in John 8:12 and 9:5. But He also looks at us, in the sermon on the mount and says...

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Christ in you, the hope of glory Colossians 1:27

The Light Jesus is talking about, is Him. His Light shining through us. The closer to Him we grow the more we glow. When the world looks at us, they should see a reflection of Him. Not sin. Of faith. Not fear.

God is Light and in Him is no darkness John 1:5

In the beginning, when darkness covered the deep, God didn’t curse the darkness, He simply said, “Let there be light.” Jesus tells us to do the same in this dark world. Let your Light so shine, that they see, and glorify Me.

With all that said, it’s clear to see that Jesus chose the lampstands, the menorahs, to represent the church. But just to be perfectly clear, He spells it out at the end of the chapter. …the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20.

 

Revelation 1:13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man…

I like that the word, “midst” is used here. Jesus stands in the midst of the lampstands; the Churches. John probably remembered Jesus saying:  Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I AM, in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Son of Man is a Messianic title. The readers of that day would know exactly what he was referring to. This One in the midst of the lampstands, is the Messiah.

John goes beyond just telling us the Messiah was there. He shows us, with a grand description of Jesus.

Pause for a moment and picture Jesus. What do you see? Remember that image—tuck it away in the pocket of your memory. We’ll come back to it.

The following three verses describe His majesty (verse 13); His purity (verse 14); His Authority (verse 15) and His glory (verse 16).

Revelation 1:13-16 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. (His Majesty) 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;(His Purity). 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; (His Authority). 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (His Glory).

Do you still have that picture of Jesus in your pocket? Don't lose it. We'll look at one more picture of Jesus, from John's photo album, and then we'll come back to yours. 

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses (Saints, not angels). 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:11-16.

Okay, how’d you do? Does the picture you tucked away in your memory match the one we just read? Do we see Jesus glowing with glory, majesty, purity and power? A warrior wielding the sword that wipes wickedness from the world?  

Or do we picture a soft man with pretty brown hair, in an off-white robe, sitting on a stone, holding a little lamb, talking to children?

When we think of Jesus, do we sing: 

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.  Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Or do we hum, “Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb…” 

David, a man after God’s own heart puts it like this:

“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,

The power and the glory,

The victory and the majesty;

For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,

And You are exalted as head over all.

Both riches and honor come from You,

And You reign over all.

In Your hand is power and might;

In Your hand it is to make great

And to give strength to all.

 

 “Now therefore, our God,

We thank You

And praise Your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:10-14

 Oh Lord God, help our hearts to see You like that.

Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

John fainted. It’s a natural response when mortal meets the immortal. And, the supernatural response from Jesus or His angels is always the same, “Do not be afraid.” Someday, when we see Him face to face, we’ll be filled with perfect love that casts out all fear.  

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

This one verse is an outline of the entire book of revelation.

Write the things which you have seen…

This describes the appearance of Jesus, in chapter one.

…and the things which are

This outlines the time in which John is writing, up to us, here and now; the church age. It includes the seven letters to the seven churches.  

…and the things which will take place after this.

This prepares us for what will take place leading up to and including:

·         The Rapture, chapter 4-5.

·         The Tribulation, chapters 6-18.

·         Jesus Second Coming, chapter 19.

·         The Millennium, chapter 20.

·         New Heaven and New Earth, chapter 21-22.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

We’ve already established that the seven lampstands are the seven churches. But what about the, seven stars are the angels of the seven churches?

To answer that question, let’s look at the original language. The Greek word for, angels, is: ἄγγελος, ου, ὁ;  ággelos (ang'-el-os).  It means a messenger or delegate. Human or heavenly.

Jesus used this word to describe John the Baptist, (Mt 11:10; quoting Mal 3:1).

For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger (ággelos) before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ Matthew 11:10.

Jesus doesn’t dictate to John, seven letters to send to seven angels. If He did, how would he send them? Air mail?

The Seven angels, of the seven churches are the seven pastors of the seven churches.

 

END OF CHAPTER ONE.

LET THE LETTERS BEGIN.

Coming up:

All the letters have a timely message to literal churches of that day. They also have a timeless message for everyone. Additionally, each letter represents a specific time in Church HIStory. Two of the letters point specifically to us, here and now.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, Alpha, Omega, Almighty God, thank You for loving us. And for the honor and joy of knowing and loving You.

Our picture of You may have been skewed.

Thank You for revealing Yourself to John, and through him, to us. Now we can catch a glimpse of You, as You are, in Your majesty, purity, authority and glory.

We confess, out loud, right here and now, You are King of kings, Lord of lords.

Lord, we invite You, the Light of the word, to shine in us, and through us, so that those You send to us, will no longer see us, but You. Help us hunger for Your Word, more than anything this world has to offer.

Come quickly Lord Jesus. May we be found ready.