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

 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 catches 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 earth preaching the good news. - ISAIAH 52:7; 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 Pries.  (Compare Exodus 3:5.)  Further, his voice resounds thunderously like as huge cascading waterfall.  It is impressive, awe inspiring, as it is fitting for the one officially called the Word of God, the one who comes 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, 17a) Jesus himself explains the meaning of the seven stars a little later.  But notice what is coming out of his mouth: "a sharp long two-edged sword." What  a fitting feature!  For Jesus is the one appointed to pronounce Jehovah's 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 reminds us that Moses' face emitted shining rays  after Jehovah had communed with him on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 24:29, 30)   Remember, too, that when Jesus was transfigured before the three of his apostles almost 2,000 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 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." - REVELATION1:17.

Today, the colorful, detailed description of John's vision fills God's people with heartfelt appreciation.  Already, we have passed through more than 90 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, a 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

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