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I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet … Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me (Revelation 1:10a, 12a, ESV).
At the beginning of the Book of Revelation, John sees Jesus and calls Him the “Son of Man.” The keyword John uses to describe the “Son of Man” is “like”. John must use simile and figurative language to write what he witnessed.
Like a son of man (v. 13); voice like a trumpet (v. 10); hair like white wool (v. 14); hair like snow (v. 14); eyes like a flame of fire (v. 14); feet like burnished bronze (v. 15); voice like many waters (v. 15); and face like the sun shining in full strength (v. 16).
Eight likes — words fail when seeing Jesus — so John describes Jesus using “likes” for the Son of Man’s hair, eyes, feet, voice, and face. Let’s consider what John was seeing and describing with his many “likes.”
Like a son of man: the totality of humanity in divine purpose!
Voice like a trumpet and many waters: powerful heralding truth, power, and healing!
Hair like white wool and snow: extreme purity in the presence of which our even minor sins look glaring. We can’t stand in His presence without grace.
Eyes like a flame: Authority shines from the eyes. We will see the eyes of Jesus, the King of the Universe, someday.
Feet like burnished bronze: How blessed are the feet of those who bring Good News. Jesus is the Word!
Face like the sun at full strength: No one can look directly at the sun shining at full strength — too glorious!
In Revelation 1:17, John describes his reaction to seeing Jesus, “When I saw him, I fell as though dead.” I would, too, and so would you. John didn’t see a meek and mild shepherd but the victorious conquering Lord of the Universe.
Paul writes about Jesus on earth…
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7).
Hebrews 1:3-4 describes the Jesus of eternity…
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
The church at the time of the Book of Revelation was small, inconsequential, and soon to be maliciously persecuted; it was necessary for Jesus to reveal who He is, His power, and His control over all history. Despite today’s earthly headlines of despair, Revelation reveals the same good news to us now.
We must know that Jesus wins, that saints live in heaven, and that there is peace for eternity. We get this message from chapters 1 through 22 of the Book of Revelation. As this world spirals toward frustration, persecution, and the extreme loss of end-times events, we, too, can see the Jesus of the Book of Revelation.
Remember: Like, like, like, like, like, like, like, and like!
Come quickly, Jesus!