Rev 1:12-20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 1:12-20: 1:12-20 John’s first vision is a symbolic picture of Christ as the wise, secure, and powerful agent of God who always cares for his people. 1:12 I turned to see who was speaking: This statement refers to the loud voice of 1:10 . • seven gold lampstands: The lighted menorah was a symbol of God’s presence among his people (Exod 27:21 ; Lev 24:1-4 ) and of his all-seeing eyes in the world (Zech 4:10 ).

Summary for Rev 1:12-20: 1:12-20 ^a John’s first vision is a symbolic picture of Christ as the wise, secure, and powerful agent of God who always cares for his people. 1:12 ^b I turned to see who was speaking: This statement refers to the loud voice of 1:10 ^c.

• seven gold lampstands: The lighted menorah was a symbol of God’s presence among his people (Exod 27:21 ^d; Lev 24:1-4 ^e) and of his all-seeing eyes in the world (Zech 4:10 ^f).
1:13 ^g the Son of Man (or a son of man.): Son of Man is a title Jesus used for himself (see Dan 7:13 ^h; Matt 8:20 ⁱ; 9:6 ^j; 16:13 ^k; Mark 2:28 ^l; 9:9 ^m; 14:41 ⁿ; John 1:51 ^o; 3:13 ^p; 5:27 ^q).

• The long robe and gold sash give Christ an authoritative appearance (see Rev 19:13-16 ^r; Dan 10:5 ^s). The robe was a priestly garment symbolizing purity and holiness.
1:14 ^t White hair represents wisdom and maturity; this vision reflects Daniel’s vision of the Ancient One (Dan 7:9 ^u).

• His eyes ... like flames of fire pierce through pretense; the One who knows everything will judge everyone (see Dan 10:6 ^v; Heb 4:13 ^w).
1:15 ^x Refined or hardened bronze in the feet implies stability, firmness, and security (cp. Dan 10:6 ^y).

• The thundering voice suggests God’s power—when he speaks, he will be heard (cp. Ezek 43:2 ^z).
1:16 ^aa The seven stars represent the complete church. The church is secure in the right hand (i.e., in the acceptance and blessing) of the Son of Man.

• The sharp ... sword coming from his mouth is his effective message and his judgment (see 19:15 ^ab; Gen 3:24 ^ac; Eph 6:17 ^ad; Heb 4:12 ^ae). Jesus proclaims both grace and judgment, but here the emphasis is that he carries out judgment (see Rev 2:12 ^af, 16 ^ag; 19:15 ^ah, 21 ^ai; cp. Isa 11:4 ^aj).
1:17 ^ak When I saw him, I fell ... dead: Terror and a dead faint, if not death itself (see Exod 33:20 ^al), frequently result when someone sees God (see Isa 6:1-5 ^am; Matt 28:4 ^an). The Lord graciously responds by the touch of his right hand (cp. Matt 25:34 ^ao) and the words “Don’t be afraid!” (cp. Luke 1:13 ^ap), indicating both grace and acceptance.

• I am: The phrase identifies Jesus as God (see study note on Rev 1:8).
1:18 ^aq the living one: Because the Son of Man (1:13 ^ar) has conquered death, he holds the keys of death and controls the outcome of our greatest fear (see 20:14 ^as; Heb 2:14-15 ^at). Jesus has complete authority to provide hope in a hostile world.

• the grave: Greek Hades. See study note on Rev 6:7-8.
1:19 ^au Write: In the vision, God gives instructions for what John is to do on his behalf (see Isa 6:9-10 ^av). This vision’s purpose is to help the church (Rev 1:20 ^aw) understand the present and the future from God’s perspective.
1:20 ^ax John is to record what he sees because Revelation is an instructive word for the churches.

• The angels (or messengers; Greek angelos) of the seven churches could be (1) the guardian angels of these churches (cp. Matt 18:10 ^ay; Acts 12:15 ^az); (2) the leading officials of the churches (cp. Matt 11:10 ^ba, where “messenger” is angelos); or (3) a personification of the ethos of the church. The best understanding is probably a combination of 1 and 3.