What Did Jesus Look Like? And why does it matter to you?

From Wikimedia Commons

Revelation 1:9-20 (WEB)
⁹ I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet ¹¹ saying, “ What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies : to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”


¹² I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. ¹³ And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. ¹⁶ He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. ¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.
He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. ¹⁹ Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; ²⁰ the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.



     This is the most complete physical description we are privileged to in all of Scripture. Each one of the symbolic phrases is connected with the announcement to one of the seven churches of Asia.

1) "And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man... He had seven stars in his right hand."
     This description is stated to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7. The meaning of these symbols are given in 1:20 and represent the angels of the seven churches and the seven churches. The application is stated clearly by Jesus, "...repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent." -Revelation 2:5 

2) "I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more."
     This description is stated to the church at Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11. Jesus has overcome death and this should give hope during times of persecution (especially persecution to the point of death). The application is, "...you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10 

3) "Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword."
    This description is stated to the church at Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17. The meaning and application of this symbol are wrapped up into one, "Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth." - Revelation 2:16

4) "His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace."
    This description is stated to the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29. The meaning and application of these symbols is that Jesus can see all the works we do and he encourages them to stand their ground against the evil among them (the woman 'Jezebel').

5) "He had seven stars in his right hand."
     This description is stated to the church at Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6. The meaning of the seven stars is that they represent the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). The application is for them to remember what their angel (messenger) had told them. "Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent..." - Revelation 3:3a

6) "I have the keys of Death and of Hades."
     This description (called the "key of David") is given to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. The meaning is that Jesus has total control of opening and closing doors of opportunities and events. The application is, "Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." - Revelation 3:10

7) "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation"
     This description is given to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22. Jesus uses the very things this city is famous for (gold, garments, and salve) and tells them they are in need of those very things from him (in a spiritual form). The application is that Jesus can be trusted... they just need to trust in him. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20



"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
    This phrase is repeated to each of the seven churches and is just as applicable for us today! 

Are you listening?