September '25

According to almost every person interviewed on Phil Me In, Revelation is the book most wanted to be understood by Christians. After almost 10 years in the faith, I realised all my beliefs about this book had been imported from other people. This year I am devoting time to pray and unpack what this book means for myself. I want to share with you a brief encouragement from John’s vision in Revelation 1:12-17a.

“12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not…”

We are told in 1:20 that the seven lampstands are the 7 churches. Jesus is among his Church, he dwells in the midst of his people (Exo 29:45, Zeph 3:17, Mat 18:20, and many more).

Jesus is revealed as ‘one like a son of man’. This description is used in Daniel 7:13-14. The same one revealed to John is the one who was spoken of in Daniel - who comes to the Ancient of Days, is given everlasting dominion, glory and a kingdom that will not be destroyed. This is an amazing link between these OT & NT visions.

We are told in 1:20 that these 7 stars in his right hand are the 7 angels of the 7 churches. Jesus who for a time was made lower than the angels (Heb 2:7) now holds them in his right hand/the hand of his power. He commands them to minister to his people (Psalm 91:11, Hebrews 1:14).

A two-edged sword comes from his mouth. This picture matches imagery used for the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12. Jesus speaks and uses the Word of God as a weapon, he uses it against forces of evil and rebellion, he uses it to achieve his purposes in the world. The Word of God is powerful!

John falls at his feet as though dead, but Jesus lays his right hand on him and says “Fear not…”

This also has an OT link in Daniel 10:10-12. Daniel is facedown before the vision, and a hand reaches out and touches him, saying “Fear not…”

How amazing that the right hand of God’s power which commands angels and works wonders on the earth is the same hand that reaches out to comfort and uplift John and Daniel. This is the same hand that reaches out to comfort and uplift us!

Redeemer: Jesus is in our midst, we are part of his everlasting and un-destroyable kingdom, he commands angels to minister to his people, his powerful Word is at work. The Church throughout history and today bears testimony to these truths. I hope this has been an encouragement for you as it was for me!

Aidan Smith