The Glorious Vision of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1
The most glorious yet awe-inspiring description of Jesus Christ is given in this first chapter of the Revelation to John, for our learning. The apostle had lived alongside the Son of Man during His sojourn on earth, and bore witness that Jesus was the incarnate Word of God. But in the twilight years of his life, while banished on the Isle of Patmos, this old man received visions of glory and judgement. During his exile, on the Day of the Lord, John was walking in pure, undiminished communion with God, and hearing the voice of a trumpet behind him, turned to see Who was speaking. This elderly apostle was given an astonishing vision of Christ in all His might, majesty, dominion, and power.
The Divine Identity of the Almighty
The vision was of such overwhelming grandeur that this elderly apostle could do nothing but fall at the feet of One Who stood before him, as if dead. It was Christ Jesus; the Alpha and the Omega, Who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty. It was Jesus Christ Who was dead but is alive forevermore, that stood before him. It was Jesus - the Head of the Body - the King of the Jews - the Saviour of the world - the Almighty God of heaven - the Ancient of Days. The holy purity, dignified authority, eternal wisdom, and glorious presence of the One Who stood before John, was the risen, ascended, glorified Son of God, as had never been witnessed before.
Detailed Description: Hair Like Wool and Eyes of Fire
The first thing John noticed was: "His head and His hair were white like white wool. They were like snow." His presence and posture was reminiscent of the Ancient of Days, described by Daniel. The next thing John saw were His eyes which flashed "like a flame of fire," symbolising His all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise, omniscience. He is identified as the righteous Judge of the earth, Who reads the thoughts and hearts of men.
The following table compares the attributes of the One in John's vision with the description of the Ancient of Days found in the book of Daniel:
| Attribute | Vision in Revelation 1 | Vision in Daniel |
|---|---|---|
| Head and Hair | White like white wool, like snow | The hair on His head was like pure wool |
| Eyes and Throne | His eyes were like a flame of fire | Whose throne was ablaze with flames of fire |
| Vesture | (Glorified presence) | Whose vesture was like white snow |
The Significance of the Vision for the Church
He was instructed that everything he heard and saw was to be written in a book and shared with the Church, which is the Body of Christ. All who read it and take it to heart have been promised blessings beyond compare. All who reject Him are condemned already. He is the One Who has been appointed to judge the world in righteousness, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and all unrighteousness and ALL who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
But the wrath of God for your sins and mine has already been poured out on Jesus; our sin-substitute Who died in our place, is risen, and is alive for evermore. He is the incarnate, all powerful God in Whom are the words of eternal life. Help me to live my life in a manner that is worthy of Him, to Whom be all honour and glory, world without end, AMEN.