Revelation 1:11-16 – Bible Study & Exploration
Jesus Appears to John
(Verse 11) With the loud voice of a trumpet, Jesus appears to John and gets his attention immediately. He begins with an all important command.
“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:11)
Jesus begins with the coastal city of Ephesus. This was the last congregation John pastored before being exiled to the island of Patmos. It’s also the closest of the seven churches to the island where John was located.
The order of the churches in which Jesus gave to John to write to formed a clockwise circle bringing John back to Ephesus after visiting all seven. These churches were all located in western Asia Minor (Turkey). John’s message from Christ will reach well beyond the seven churches of Revelation.
Jesus Appears to John Among the Lampstands
(Verses 12-13) What a glorious image John turned to cast his eyes upon. The Son of Man (Jesus) standing encircled by the seven lampstands. This represents a perfect and true to life example of Jesus and His relationship with His church.
The phrase “Son of Man” is used often throughout the Bible. It’s used 100 times in the book of Ezekiel. It’s used in a similar scene in Daniel 8:17 where Jesus appears to Daniel and Daniel falls prostrate in the presence of Christ as He reveals things that will occur in the last days.
This phrase is also used over 80 times in the New Testament and it represents the Dominion of Christ.
The lampstands represent the Christian churches. They symbolize not only the seven churches of Revelation, but all Christian churches up to today.
Notice that these are lampstands and not the actual source of light. Christ is the light who came into the world to save sinners. The lampstands (Christian churches) hold up the light so that it can shine in our dark world. That is the purpose of our Christian churches, to hold up the Light for the salvation of mankind.
While Christ is in heaven seated at the right hand of God, it’s our responsibility to shine the light of Christ upon the world through the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
Jesus Appears to John In All His Majesty
(Verses 13-16) As John turned to gaze his eyes upon his old friend, and Lord and Savior, what John saw was likely more of the way the Jews had hoped for their Messiah to appear. But instead, Jesus first came as a gentle, loving and humble servant. To the point that He even once girded himself with a towel to wash the feet of His disciples.
But His Second Coming will be with all His splendor and glory.
As we examine this first vision of many that John will be shown, it’s important to remember that God uses symbols to represent actual events that will occur. Understanding this will help us to grasp the meaning of the visions that are to come.
The robe and sash that Jesus is wearing represents His majesty as the Lord of lords and King of kings. His white hair is not an indication of His old age, but rather signifies His absolute purity, perfection, holiness and wisdom.
God is the only one who can search out the very depths of the heart of man. Jesus’ eyes like blazing fire symbolize His ability to pierce through flesh and into the heart of every person’s soul to see the truth of what each one of us stands for and believes. This is why He’s called the just Judge. He will judge with righteousness. Not on what we believe ourselves to be but on what we truly are.
Jesus’ feet like bronze are the ones that will rest their weight upon His enemies.
The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)
Jesus’ mouth as a sharp, double edged sword is a symbol of the Word of God that is coming in the last days to judge the nations and all people who have come against His people and have rejected Him.