Revelation Part 14
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Wednesday 29th October 1997
Revelation Part 14
(Revelation 1:13-16 NRSV) and in the midst of the lampstands I saw
one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden
sash across his chest. {14} His head and his hair were white as
white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, {15}
his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and
his voice was like the sound of many waters. {16} In his right hand
he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged
sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.
This messenger angel represents and in many ways symbolises Jesus
the Son of Man. In Revelation Part 1 I showed why this angel
referred to in verse 1 is not Jesus but His messenger. That was
quite a long discussion then and I refer you back to it. The
symbolism is directly reminiscent of Daniel chapter 7. (Daniel
7:13-14 NKJV) "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One
like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the
Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. {14} Then to
Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples,
nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an
everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the
one Which shall not be destroyed.
Earlier we have seen Jesus referred to as the one who is coming on
the clouds (verse 7) and who has dominion forever (verse 6). John is
painting a very clear picture of Jesus being the fulfillment of the
Son of Man prophecy in Daniel and the one before whom all humna
kingdoms and Roman emperors would fall. Jesus used the title "Son of
Man" of Himself. Matthew alone uses it thirty times and it is often
used in contexts indicating His coming power and glory.
(Matthew 19:28 NKJV) So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you,
that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of
His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(Matthew 24:30 NKJV) "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in
heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will
see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory.
The term is also used to emphasise His Messiahship and servanthood.
(Matthew 17:12 NKJV) "But I say to you that Elijah has come already,
and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished.
Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands."
(Matthew 18:11 NKJV) "For the Son of Man has come to save that which
was lost.
(Matthew 20:28 NKJV) "just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
There are two aspects to the Son of Man. Firstly as the incarnate
suffering Saviour who seeks and saves the lost. Secondly as the
triumphant conquering King who returns to this world to claim what
the Ancient of Days and the courts of Heaven have decided is
rightfully His. Those who accept Him as Saviour will rule with Him as
King.
Prayer:
We worship You Lord Jesus, Son of Man! We worship You who seeks and
saves the lost. We worship You who is returning in power and great
glory with the clouds of Heaven. We worship You whose Kingdom
will never pass away. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may reverence
You as You should be reverenced. You are our Saviour. You are our
Lord. We are Your servants. May our lives be honouring to You Amen.
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John Edmiston ([email protected])
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