4. THE INITIAL VISION Revelation 1:12-18 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.-- Turning to see who was speaking was the natural thing to do. The text says to "see the voice." By a common figure of speech the voice is put for the one speaking. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; --Here the vision proper begins. In the tabernacle and temple there were golden candlesticks. Each had seven prongs with a lamp on each prong. But in this vision there appeared seven distinct lampstands. This is evident from the following verse where Christ is represented as being "in the midst of" them. Neither is there anything said about these candlesticks having more than one lamp. Being made of gold probably represents their great value as well as their enduring qualities. In this book there are a number of things described as golden or made of pure gold. Each will he noted in its proper place. 13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man,--There is no question but that the one John saw in this vision represented the Lord. The King James Version translates "the" Son of man. Christ often applied this title to himself. (Matthew 8:20; Matthew 9:6.) A like expression is found in Daniel 7:13, also referring to Christ. Commentators have disagreed as to whether John saw Jesus himself or the appearance of a human to represent him. Such controversy is useless. Both would lead to the same truth. This part of the vision clearly was intended to represent Christ's relationship to churches. Whether he really appeared or a form of man to represent him affects not the case. The fact that John was looking at a picture favors the Revised Version and the latter view. clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.--The robe reaching to the feet and the girdle around the breasts are supposed to represent the dignity that belonged to both priesthood and kingship. Girdles were then worn around the body to fasten down the flowing robes, but one richly ornamented with gold, placed about the breasts, indicates royal dignity. This is what should naturally be expected, as the vision was intended to show Jesus as one having both the power and authority to open the seals--reveal the things that the church should know. As the great Prophet, he would know exactly what was to transpire that should be told; as Priest and King, he would have full authority to make such revelations as were needed to give any commands necessary to the doing of his will. 14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; --It is perfectly evident that the language here used is not intended as a natural description of the Lord as he lived on the earth ; for being in his thirty-fourth year when he ascended he was a young man, and probably in physical appearance not greatly different from others. Neither is it necessary to conclude that the description here correctly represents his glorious appearance in heaven. It seems more probable that the appearance of the one John saw was assumed to impress the apostle with a sense of Christ's majesty and glory. White as a color indicates purity and victory; the expression white as wool and snow means that it was perfectly white. The intention here is not to indicate age, but to show that Jesus was perfectly sinless and fully able to do what was proposed. The eyes appearing as a flame of fire indicates their penetrating power, probably meaning that the Lord was able to look into the future as well as into men's hearts and reveal both the true and false. 15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. --The feet of the one speaking to John looked like burnished brass that had been fully refined. Perhaps there is no special significance in this more than that it harmonizes with the majestic splendor of Christ as able to do the work proposed. The voice John heard was like the sound of many waters, the roar of the ocean or a great cataract. God himself is referred to in a similar way. "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory." (Ezekiel 43:2.) See also Ezekiel 1:24; Daniel 10:6. Representing the sound of the voice as the roar of many waters is another sublime way of expressing divine majesty and power. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword:--In verse 20 these seven stars are said to be the angels of the seven churches. Here we have in this book the first direct explanation of the symbol used, being definitely told what the stars represent. When the book itself explains a symbol, there is an end of controversy on that point whether we understand it or not. Being held in the right hand probably indicates that the angels were to be sustained and protected by the Lord--would receive their support and instruction from him. The appearance of a sword proceeding from his mouth must in some way refer to his words. This is perfectly natural when we note that the word of God is said to be "living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12.) Isaiah said that Jehovah had made his "mouth like a sharp sword." (Isa. 49 2.) The words proceeding from the Lord's mouth would not only comfort and instruct the saints, but would also terrify and destroy the ungodly. Through a prophet Jehovah said "I have slain them by the words of my mouth." (Hosea 6:5.) Paul said that Jesus at his coming would slay the lawless one "with the breath of his mouth." (2 Thessalonians 2:8.) The word "sharp" indicates the penetrating power of Christ's words, while the two-edged nature represents the thoroughness of its work. and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.--The hair, eyes, mouth, and voice have already been described. This expression is evidently intended as a general description of his appearance; it was as the sun in its full strength and not obscured by any clouds. It was probably like his appearance on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2.) The entire description most appropriately presents the majesty, power, and authority of Jesus to make the revelation intended, and most solemnly to impress John with the necessity of giving heed to what was revealed to him. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; --John was overwhelmed by the divine majesty and the suddenness with which the vision came. Losing consciousness, he fell as one would who was really dead. The overpowering influence of supernatural events was not an uncommon thing. (Daniel 8:18; Daniel 8:27; Daniel 10:9; Ezekiel 1:28; Acts 26:13-14.) John, remembering Jesus as he saw him here on earth, probably did not recognize the being in the vision as representing the Lord. The explanation that follows immediately is further proof that he did not at first know who was represented by the vision. Laying his right hand upon John was doubtless for the purpose of raising him up. Compare Daniel 8:18. The command to "Fear not" was intended to give John assurance to hear what would be revealed to him. Once Jesus gave a similar command to his apostles, saying, "It is I; be not afraid." (Matthew 14:27.) In the midst of manifestations of divine power man needs assurance from God to calm his fears:. Jesus gave it when he was here in person (Luke 9 34, 35); his words supply the same assurance now (Hebrews 6:18-20). I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore,--Alpha and Omega, which mean the first and the last, probably refer to God in verse 8; here the words first and last clearly refer to Christ. They declare his existence from eternity which is also asserted by both John and Paul. (John 1:1-2; Col. 1 16, 17.) If of eternal existence, John could well afford to depend implicitly upon his word and power; hence no reason why he should fear. Referring to Christ as the "Living one" means he was in his very nature the source and fountain of life. Jesus said: "For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself." (John 5:26.) Saying that he had been dead, but was now alive effectively identified the one represented in the vision as the Lord. This was evidence that John's faith in the Lord's resurrection had been no delusion. Jesus had died once, hut never could die again. This should remove all fear and give perfect assurance that he is able to fulfill all his promises. and I have the keys of death and of Hades.--Hades is a Greek word and means the "unseen." It refers to the state between death and the resurrection, the place of abode of disembodied spirits of both bad and good. This is evident from the Savior's use of the word in Luke 16:23. The expression "keys of death and of Hades" is closely related to the preceding statements in reference to Christ once being dead, but now being alive. That Christ's spirit went to Hades while his body was in the tomb is certain from Peter's words in Acts 2:27. Keys mean authority or power. Since Christ's body was raised and his spirit returned from Hades, he has power to abolish death and bring the waiting spirits from the Hadean world. This he will do when he comes again and the judgment takes place. (Revelation 20:11-14.)