149. REV 1:13-16. JOHN’S VISION OF THE GLORIOUS REDEEMER

Rev_1:13-16. John’s Vision of the Glorious Redeemer

"And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow," &c. &c.’97Rev_1:13-16.

Refer to the preceding sketch, where John has a vision of the church of Christ under the representation of seven golden candlesticks. Having beheld the seven golden candlesticks, he now perceives in the midst of them the blessed and adorable Redeemer; whom he recognises as bearing those well-remembered features which he had when dwelling in our world as the Son of man Then he describes, in language the most sublime, the particulars of that glorious scene presented before him.

Now, in this vision of the Redeemer there was exhibited,

I. The Emblems of his Eternity.

"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow."

When Daniel beheld the Messiah, and describes him as the Ancient of Days, he gives a similar description: "And the hair of his head was like the pure wool;" Dan_7:9. When speaking words revealed by he wise man, Jesus says: "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was," &c.; Pro_8:23-31. Jesus also asserted the same, when he said to the Jews: "Before Abraham was, I am;" Joh_8:58. And also when addressing John, he says: "I am Alpha and Omega," &c.; Rev_1:8.

Christ was exhibited,

II. In his unbounded Wisdom and Omniscience.

"And his eyes were as a flame of fire." So brilliant, so searching and penetrating, as a flame of fire. He sees all clearly from eternity to eternity. All is naked before him; and hell itself without a covering. His eyes are in every place He knows the heart; and he searcheth and trieth the reins of the children of men. He knew what his disciples thought. He knew the views of the Pharisees; Mat_12:25. He knew what Judas purposed. He knew what agitated the breasts of the two disciples going to Emmaus. His knowledge is perfect, unbounded, and eternal. Joh_1:25; Joh_21:15, &c.

Christ was exhibited,

III. In his Immutability, and in the Great ness of his Power.

"And his feet like unto fine brass," &c.

Hard, and stable, and immutable in all his purposes, and ways, and works. Not affected by any of the changing scenes, either of the church, or of the world; "same yesterday, today, and forever." Then, "his voice was as the sound of many waters;" majestic, powerful, and irresistible. "The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is powerful." Job says: "He thundereth with his voice;" Job_37:5. "He uttered his voice, the earth melted;" Psa_40:6. When on earth, His voice made devils to tremble and flee before him. It stilled the storm; and it shook the invisible world, and brought back the spirits of the departed. How inconceivably great and powerful is the Lord our God!

In this vision John beheld the Redeemer,

IV. In his Sacerdotal Robe.

"Clothed with a garment down to the foot."

Thus appearing in his sacred apparel as the great High Priest of our profession. Daniel describes this garment as being "white as snow." Representing the unsullied purity of his nature, as the Holy One of God; his perfect righteousness, as the Just One of Israel; and his personal merit, as the Mediator between God and man, and who, by his death, had opened a way of access to the holiest of all. "For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners;" Heb_7:26.

He was exhibited,

V. In his tender and unchanging Attachment to His People.

"Girt about the paps with a golden girdle."

The golden girdle is the truth and purity of Christ. And this being girded round his breasts, denotes the sacred and unalterable fixedness of his affections upon his people A love disinterested, intense, unspeakable and eternal A love which nothing can quench or destroy. A woman may forget her sucking child; yet will not the Lord forget or forsake his people.

In this vision Christ was exhibited,

VI. In the Station which He occupies

"In the midst of the golden candlesticks."

Christ is not only in his church, but in the midst of it. As the sun is the centre of the solar system, and as the tree of life was in the midst of Eden, so Christ is the grand centre of the Christian system, and in the midst of the garden of the church. He spake to Moses out of the midst of the bush. "Great is the Holy One of Israel, who is in the midst of thee;" Isa_12:6; Jer_14:9; Zec_2:5. "Wherever two or three are met together, I will be in the midst of them;" Mat_18:20. "Midst of the throne stood a Lamb;" Rev_5:6. Now Christ is in the midst of his church, to illumine, to direct, to comfort, to protect, and to save. Being in the midst, he is equally near and accessible to all.

Christ was exhibited,

VII. In his Connection with the Ministers of the Gospel.

"And he had in his right hand seven stars."

Ministers resemble stars, as they are to diffuse their borrowed rays to a dark and benighted world. And, like stars, they differ in glory; some having one, others five, and others ten talents committed to their trust. These stars are in Christ’s hand.

1. They are appointed by him.

2. They receive all their qualifications from him.

3. They manifest his glory, and all their strength and success are from him.

4. His hand guides, supports, protects, and will finally reward them.

Christ is exhibited,

VIII. In the powerful Efficacy of his Truth.

"And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword."

His word is this sword: and it is "quick and powerful; sharper than any two-edged sword," &c.; Heb_4:12. "Word either savor of life unto life, or death unto death;" 2Co_2:15. Its saving edge is sharp to convince, to convert, to regenerate, and to sanctify the heart. And its killing edge is sharp to condemn, and to consign over the unbelieving to remediless and eternal wo.

Christ was exhibited,

IX. In the overwhelming Glory of hit Person.

"And his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength."

So dazzlingly refulgent! No man could behold him, except as shrouded in the manhood, and live. So bright, that it will destroy his adversaries in the day of his second advent; 2Th_2:8. So bright, that it shall illumine the celestial temple, and render the light of the moon or the sun unnecessary; Rev_21:23; Rev_22:5. This Saviour let us believe, love, and obey; that we may rejoice, extol, and adore him for ever and ever.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS