When people die, they often leave behind a last will, detailing messages or bequests to loved ones and friends. With this post, we begin a series looking at such a message. In Revelation, Jesus gave messages to the Apostle John for seven churches. The messages contain statements of inheritance, encouragements, and warnings.

Before getting into the individual messages, we’ll talk about the Author. As with every last will, the author is identified first. In this case, the Author is Jesus. He tells John what to write in a vision. Here is how John describes the scene:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 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

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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 are the seven churches (Rev. 1:10-20).

Jesus Christ: The Author

The first thing we notice is that John is “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” Most likely, he was engaged in personal worship on a Sunday–the first day of the week. The words imply that he was transported to a realm of prophetic vision, similar to Isaiah or Ezekiel. At first he sees nothing, only a voice is heard, telling John to write down what he sees in a book, and send the book to seven specific churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Since the individual messages were contained in that same book, it was intended that each message should be read by every church, given as instruction and example.)

After turning to see who spoke to him, John sees one standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands, holding seven stars in his right hand. The person identifies Himself to John as Christ, in words that John will recognize: “the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Not only is Jesus referring to His death and resurrection, but He is claiming equality and unity with God (“the first and the last,” a title belonging only to God). His description of “one like the son of man” echoes back to Daniel. It is a term of divinity, though it refers to a human Messiah. It was Jesus’ favorite term for Himself, but was rarely used by the early church, except when connecting the suffering of believers to Jesus’ suffering and glory.

Jesus Christ: Righteous Judge

Jesus here is described in terms of authority as Righteous Judge. This image is consistent with the whole theme of Revelation, that of the Lord bringing final judgement on the world and overthrowing evil. Look at the details John includes here:

• The long robe – The robe brings a picture of both the priests of old and a judge (and the OT priests were called upon to be judges). Jesus is thus the Great High Priest who fulfilled the priesthood of Aaron and is given full authority to judge by the Father.
• White hair like wool and snow – White hair was a sign of dignity. Elders were respected for their wisdom and judgement. Here Jesus is described in terms similar to Daniel’s prophecy of the Ancient of Days.
• Eyes like blazing fire – Christ’s eyes are piercing and penetrating. He scrutinizes everything; there is nothing that can be hidden from His sight.
• Feet like shining bronze – In OT prophecies shining metal is related to the appearance of the glory of God, and metal that has been refined in the first often represents the purest and strongest of metals, indicating Christ’s triumphant judgement of unbelievers.
• Voice like many waters – This symbolizes the majesty and power of Christ, just as we see His majesty in great waterfalls.
• The right hand – John identifies that Jesus held the seven starts in His right hand. The right hand is the place of power and protection. One of two details in the vision that are directly identified by Jesus, the stars represent the angels of the seven churches.
• The sharp double-edged sword – John often uses this symbol in Revelation. As Jesus is described as the Word and God “spoke” creation into existence, the imagery is wholly appropriate. A sword is a symbol of both judgement and war. Jesus will make war with His enemies, and bring judgement to the world.
• The face shining like the sun – Jesus is seen in His brilliance and glory. The image may be similar to the image that Peter, James, and John saw when Christ was transfigured (Matt. 17:1-8).

Jesus is thus seen in all His glory and righteousness. It’s a glory that not only judges but protects. He walks among the seven lampstands (which He identifies as the seven churches), indicating an intimate relationship. He holds the stars in His hand, indicating His protection of and authority over the churches.

No wonder John fell at His feet as though dead! He had seen the inward reality of Christ, and yet lived to tell the tale. When we are prone to question God about all the evil in the world, this image of Christ should remind us that in the end, all will be made right. All accounts will be settled. All unrighteousness judged.

Next: Our First Love