John Beholds the Glorified Jesus - In the Lord's Day

Conclusion of  In the Lord's Day

In this first vision, John sees the radiant Lord Jesus Christ in His heavenly glory.  What could be more fitting for a book of prophecies relating to the great day of this Lord commissioned by heaven?  And what could be more important to us, who are now living in that time period and  giving careful heed to his every command?  Moreover, how thrilling it is for supporters of Jehovah's sovereignty to be assured that the Messianic  Seed, having endured all the tests and persecutions brought by Satan and having suffered an agonizing death when His "heel" was bruised 1,900 years ago, is now alive in heaven, empowered to bring God's grand purpose to its triumphant completion! -Genesis 3:15.

It is evident that Jesus is now poised to go into action as enthroned King.  He has been appointed as Jehovah's Chief Executioner to carry out Jehovah's final judgments against this old wicked system  of things and its diabolic god, Satan.  He is also on hand to judge those of his congregation of anointed ones and the great crowd of their associates, as well as to judge the world. -Revelation 7:4, 9; Acts 17:31.

John turns at the sound of the loud voice, and here is what  he sees:  "I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and, having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands." (Revelation 1:12)  Later, John learns what these seven lampstands symbolize.  But it is the person in the midst of the lampstands that catches his eye.  There was  "in the midst of the lampstands someone like the son of man, clothed with a garment that reached down to his feet, and girded at the breasts with a golden girdle." (Revelation 1:13)  Jesus, the "Son of  man," here presents himself before the awestruck witness, John, as a magnificent glowing figure.  He appears in brilliant glory among flaming golden lampstands.  this templelike setting impresses on John the fact that Jesus is present in the role of Jehovah's great High Priest, with judgment powers.  (Hebrews 4:14; 7:21-25)  His long impressive garment conforms to his priestly office. Like the Jewish high priests of old, he wears a girdle -a golden girdle over his breasts where it covers his heart.  This signifies that he will wholeheartedly carry out his divine commission received from Jehovah God. -Exodus 28:8, 30; Hebrews 8:1, 2. 

John's description continues:  "Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a fiery flame."  (Revelation 1:14)   His snow-white hair indicates wisdom due to length of life.  (Compare  Proverbs 16:31) And his fiery eyes  show that he is sharp, alert, as he searches, tests, or expresses indignation.  Even Jesus' feet catch John's attention: "And his feet were like fine copper when glowing in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters."  (Revelation 1:15)   In the vision, Jesus' feet are like copper, glowing bright-properly so for one who walks zealously and with a fine standing in the presence of Jehovah God.  Moreover, while in the Bible divine things are often pictured by gold, so things human are sometimes represented  by copper.  So Jesus' glowing feet like fine copper remind us of how "comely" his feet were when he walked the great earth preaching the good news. -Isaiah 523:7; Romans 10:15.

Indeed, as a perfect human, Jesus had a radiance that was apparent to angels and men.  (John 1:14)  His glorious feet also remind us that he is treading holy ground in Jehovah's organization, in which he is  High Priest.  (Compare Exodus 3:5)  Further, his voice resounds thunderously like a huge cascading waterfall.  It is impressive, awe-inspiring, as it is fitting for one officially called the Word of God, the one who has come "to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness." -Acts 17:31; John 1:1.

"And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp, two-edged sword was protruding, and his countenance was as the sun when it shines in its power. And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet." (Revelation 1:16, 17)   Jesus himself explains the meaning of the seven stars a little later.  But notice what is coming out of his mouth "a sharp two-edged sword."  What a fitting feature!  For Jesus is the one appointed to pronounce Jehovah's final judgments against His enemies.  Decisive utterances from his mouth result in the execution of all wicked ones. -Revelation 19:13, 15.

Jesus' bright, shining countenance remind us that Moses' face emitted shining rays after Jehovah had communed with him on Mount Sinai.  (Exodus 34:29, 30)  Remember, too, that when Jesus was transfigured before three of his apostles 1,900 years ago,  "his face shone as the sun, and his outer garments became brilliant as the light."   (Matthew 17:2)  Now, in a visionary representation of Jesus during the Lord's Day, his face similarly reflects the radiant splendor of one who has been in Jehovah's presence.  (2 Corinthians 3:18)  In fact, the overall impression conveyed by John's vision is that of an effulgence of glory.  From the snow-white hair, the flaming eyes, and the shining countenance down to the glowing feet, it is a superlative vision of the One who now dwells  "in unapproachable light."   (1 Timothy 6:16)  The realism of this spectacle is so vivid!   How did the overawed John react?  The apostle tells us: "And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet." -Revelation. 1:17. 

Today, the colorful, detailed description of John's vision fills God's people with heartfelt appreciation.  Already, we have passed through more than 70 years of the Lord's day, during which the vision continues to have its thrilling fulfillment.  Jesus' Kingdom rule is to us a living, present, reality, not a future hope.  Hence, it is proper for us as loyal subjects of the Kingdom to look further with wonder at what John describes in this first vision and to listen obediently to the words of the glorified Jesus Christ.


Next time:Unlocking a Sacred Secret

From the Book of Revelation