Revelation 1:12-18 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shine in his strength. And 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: I am he that live, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
In verses 12-18 we have the vision of the glorified Christ, which constitutes the first division of Revelation as John was commanded in verse 19 to write the things which He has seen. ‘Seven golden candlesticks’ these symbolize the seven churches as clearly stated in verse 20.
‘Like unto the Son of man’ Jesus Christ is here as Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) and as ‘Son of Man represents man to God and as Son of God He represents God to man. (Dan. 7:13-14; 10:5-10; Rev.10:1-11).
Here is an eight-fold literal description of Christ: His body was clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded with golden girdle (1:13; cp. Dan. 10:6); His hair was white like wool and snow (1:14; Dan. 7:9); His eyes were as a flame of fire (1:14; 19:12; Dan. 10:6; cp. Heb. 4:12); His feet were like fine brass (1:14; 10:1; Dan. 10:6); His voice like many waters (1:14; 8:5; 10:2-4; 11:15; 14:2; 16:17-18; 19:6; Psa. 29:1-11; Heb. 12:26; Dan. 10:6); His right hand held seven stars, which were the leaders of the seven churches (1:20); His mouth had a two-edged sword coming out of it (1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21; cp. Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12); His countenance shone like the sun (1:16; 10:1; Dan. 10:6).
‘I fell as his feet as dead’ the effect of the vision upon John although he recovered immediately. ‘Fear not’ found 80 times in Scripture, generally of God quieting the fear of man because of His presence. ‘I am he that live, and was dead’ this identifies the person to be Christ (Acts 2:25-36; 1Cor. 15:1-23; Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-15; John 21:14). ‘Keys of hell and of death’ Keys signify power and authority (3:7; Matt. 16:19; 18:18; Isa. 22:22).
End times: Prophetic Scriptures 