Son of Man Gives John
Vision of the Holy Throne

Son of Man gives John a vision of the Throne of God

      John turned toward the voice of Majesty and saw … seven golden candlesticks. Flames danced at the tips of the candlesticks. Suddenly, the cave flashed to life. John stood in the presence of the Lord God Almighty, who lifted his spirit. John soared with the angels.

¹³and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. ¹⁴His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Rev. 1:13–16, NIV).

      John recognizes the One walking in the midst of the candlesticks or lampstands. He beholds the Living Christ and begins to write a description of him. Using familiar passages from the Old and the New testaments, he describes the exalted Holy God. John describes Jesus … like a Son of Man, a term used frequently in the Gospels (Matt. 24:30). Jesus’ head and hair … white as snow, and his feet like … bronze glowing in a furnace remind us of Daniel’s words.

⁹”As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. ^10aA river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him (Dan. 7:9, 10a, NIV).

      Our Lord’s hair appeared white (leukos), indicating “brilliance from whiteness.”[i] The Bible uses (leukos) to picture the holiness and purity of God and the saints or the angels exalted to a heavenly state. The eyes (ophthalmos) of the Son of Man, blazing like fire, symbolize his all-knowing ability to separate good from evil.[ii] Jesus sees all the secret things in men’s and women’s lives, which they want to keep hidden.

      The Son of Man holds … a sharp double-edged sword in his mouth. The Bible calls God’s Word a double-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). The Word penetrates into the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. The Son of Man uses the Word to help us draw near him.

      The Lord’s voice sounded like ocean waves foaming over the rocks. John then saw the face of Jesus … like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Our Glorious Lord called himself the Light of the World and the Bright and Morning Star (John 8:12; Rev. 22:16). Isaiah said that a great light has dawned on the people living in the shadow of death (Isa. 9:2).

Son of Man

He stood among the seven candlesticks.
A robe with a golden girdle covered him.
Dazzling whiteness beamed from his head.
He clinched a sharp sword between his teeth.
The Daystar’s eyes and feet burned with fire.
Wheels on his Throne sizzled with flames.
A river of fire flowed out from Everlasting.
The Light of the World illuminated the sun.

Son of Man stands over Fire flowing from Throne

¹⁷And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: ¹⁸I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:17, 18, KJV).

      John turned and looked with awe at the splendid figure of our Eternal Light, then hit the floor with his face in the dirt! Why did John do this? The saints of God have always reacted in similar ways when they saw the Lord. Saints recognize their own sin when they stand face-to-face with the unlimited power and the pure Holiness of God.

      It’s difficult for people born into original sin to understand this principle. I could explain the Holiness of God using verses from the Bible, and yet we still would not understand. As mortal men and women, I don’t believe anyone on earth fully understands the Holiness of God unless he has experienced it.

      Jesus, as he has done throughout the ages, reached down and touched John. The Son of Man told John … Fear not. God has always approached his children with love and compassion saying fear not.