Pictures of Jesus in Revelation
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 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. – Revelation 1:14-16
When John was on the island of Patmos, he saw a vision of Jesus unlike anything he had witnessed. In fact, nobody has seen a person as described in the first chapter of Revelation. Picture this description of Jesus in your mind’s eye in all the details. Each of us would have the same reaction as John upon seeing such a figure: “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead,” (Rev. 1:17)
Jesus gave pictures of Himself which were recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door/Gate of the sheep, the Good Shepherd and the Vine. These pictures based in the real world are easily understood. Through such picture language Jesus provides information about His person work as Redeemer.
This out-of-the-world portrayal of Jesus in Revelation is no different. Though the image seems complex, Jesus provides insight through a dictation of letters to seven churches. From this image we have a pictorial aid which can be etched in our mind. Through it we learn of the characteristics and activity of our ascended Lord. Jesus wants to assure His people that though He may have left the earth with His body, He is present and working on behalf of believers with all the attributes displayed in this image.
Lord Jesus, help us understand how You use all of Your attributes for the good of Your people. Amen.