SEEING JESUS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

We all have our own ideas as to what Jesus looked like when He walked this earth. Since childhood we’ve been exposed to numerous paintings and renditions of what artists feel represent the physical appearance of Christ. Most of these imaginative creations are based on a middle-aged man of Jewish descent. Beards were common during the time of Jesus so it is assumed that He must have had one. He was a carpenter so He very likely must have been somewhat physically fit. He was disciplined in His behavior and actions so we can’t imagine Him being overweight or obese. This information is speculative and attempts to give us some idea of what Jesus would look like if we met Him on the street. But many of us still wonder what Jesus really looked like.

 

Scripture is devoid of any detailed physical descriptions of Jesus during His life on earth. Possibly this is wise for otherwise we might be even more obsessed than we already are with images of Him. Very likely many people might be tempted to worship His image and break the second commandment.

 

God’s Word does give us a revelatory hint of what Jesus looks like now in heaven. In the book of Revelation the Apostle John gives us his observations of Jesus’ appearance when he encounters Christ in a vision. While this description may be symbolic in some ways, it represents observations by John of what he saw and heard as he physically stood before Christ. This vision was granted by God to communicate to people the events that would take place in the future and how they are tied to past and present events. While words cannot fully express the appearance of our glorified Lord and Savior; hold onto your hats as we see Jesus revealed to us in His awesome majesty.

 

In Revelation 1:12-18 John records what he feels, sees and hears as Jesus appears to Him. John’s first awareness that someone is present in his vision is when he hears a loud trumpeting voice say to him, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches…” A Trumpet is am instrument that when blown for attention is abrupt, sharp and piercing. This is the picture we get from John’s description. Imagine hearing a voice behind you belting out this command sounding like a bugle calling reveille. I see a mental picture of a drill sergeant calling to attention those under his command and proceeding to give out orders. After hearing this booming voice John does what all of us would do, he turns around to see who is speaking to him with such authority. Because the Lord gave this vision to him, John probably expects to see some heavenly being, possibly an angel. But when he turns around, an awesome sight grabs his eyes. He does see someone, but they are standing in the midst of seven golden lamp stands. I won’t discuss the symbolism of the lamp stands, but it is important that they are not the center of John’s attention. John’s focus is on the one who is standing in their midst, for this person is the center of all that is to take place. This person surrounded by the lamp stands is the same person who has spoken to him.

 

John describes this person as “someone like the Son of Man.” Jesus was known by many titles and “Son of Man” was one. Jesus referred to Himself with this title over 80 times in scripture. It sets Him apart as the representative of mankind and as the last Adam who paid for the sins of the first Adam who represented mankind in the fall (1 Corinthians 15:45). It connects Jesus with His mission, His death and resurrection and His second advent. John knows this is the Jesus he knew; but also notices that something is different in his appearance.

 

John describes Jesus as clothed in a robe reaching to His feet. This description gives us the impression that Jesus was completely covered in His priestly robe from head to toe. This robe represents the righteousness that Jesus possesses as our Savior. Isaiah the prophet refers to such a article of clothing in Isaiah 61:10 where he states, “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,” Later in Revelation in chapter 7 John describes a great multitude of Believers who stand before the Lamb of God wearing pure white robes that were made white with the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Therefore this robe worn by Jesus is a symbol of His purity and holiness.

 

John notices that across the chest of Christ is a golden girdle. The girdle was an article of clothing for the soldier in battle and was a symbol of strength, action and power. This tells us that Jesus is a man of action. He is strong and mighty just like His Father and is all-powerful as our Lord and King. Gold is a precious metal and is impossible to tarnish. It is valuable for these reasons and because it is rare. Jesus is precious because He is unique. He is the only one who has ever lived a perfect life. He was the only One who could die for our sins. He is the only Son of God and through His one sacrifice all mankind has the opportunity for salvation.

 

John makes a critical observation as to Jesus’ physical characteristics. He is awed by the fact that Jesus’ head and hair are white as wool or fresh snow. When we see men and women today who have white hair it gives us an understanding that they have been around quite awhile and that they possibly are very wise from their years of living. Here we see the white hair to symbolize the perfect wisdom and understanding that Jesus possesses. This is why He will stand in judgment over all who have ever lived and judge their hearts and actions in the great judgment. Jesus has this wisdom, not because He has lived a long time, but because He has always existed and is omniscience (all-knowing) which is a characteristic of His deity. White wool and snow also represent purity. Jesus is and always has been pure and holy. It is the essence of His being. It is interesting that John says that Jesus’ head was also white, not just His hair. The head is often seen as the seat of intelligence and therefore may give us some understanding of overwhelming knowledge Jesus has, not just of facts and information about creation, but also of the most intimate details of each one of our hearts, minds and souls. This also further emphasizes the purity and wisdom that Jesus possesses.

 

John now gazes upon the eyes of Jesus. He describes their appearance as “flames of fire.” It has been said, “the eyes are the windows to the soul” (Matthew 6:22). At the heart of Jesus desire for us is a requirement for purity and holiness. Fire is a symbol of judgment for it purges waste and destroys temporal matter. Only pure metals can survive the heat of a refiner’s fire. Jesus’ eyes reflect the standard by which He judges the world. He knows His Father demands perfection in holiness and therefore will judge the world accordingly. Several scripture passages tell us that the eyes of the Lord can see all that we do(2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 4:13) and therefore take account of all of our actions. This would bring fear to our hearts were it not for the fact that we are found blameless in Jesus sight because of His sacrifice for our sins. Only by accepting Him, as our Savior are we able to be seen in Jesus’ sight as holy and perfect when it comes to His judgment (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:23). While we are justified in God’s sight by accepting Christ as Savior this does not remove our responsibility as Saints to work out our salvation with fear and trembling in the process of becoming sanctified. Sanctification is a process of evolving in our maturity in the Lord. It takes place as God sanctifies us and as we seek to obey His Word and His Spirit (John 17:17-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Philippians 1:10, Hebrews 2:11, 2 Peter 3:14).

 

John now shifts his gaze to Jesus’ feet and describes their appearance as burnished bronze as it glows in a furnace. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze tools and weapons were harder and more durable than their copper and stone predecessors. Bronze was superior to iron in almost every way. It does not oxidize like iron, nor is it brittle like iron. Bronze represents strength and durability and therefore John’s use of these descriptive words for the appearance of Jesus’ feet communicates to us the stability and strength of Jesus’ standard for truth and justice. He can be relied upon for the source of our strength.

 

After gazing upon Jesus John reflects on the sound of His voice which he heard in verse 10. He describes it as a “voice as many waters.” This would seem to describe the sounds of a huge waterfall, an awesome ocean wave or a large river at flood stage. This gives us imagery of power and strength that speaks with ultimate and complete authority. You can’t argue with floodwaters or a tidal wave. Large amounts of water go where they wish and they make a thundering sound like a hundred steam locomotives. We gain some understanding of what it would be like to be with John and hear Jesus’ “voice of many waters” speaking out what He wishes John to write. In scripture water symbolizes a cleansing and entry into new life when we are baptized as a follower of Christ. Water also symbolizes the new life that Jesus gives to those who accept Him as Lord and Savior (John 4:10-11). It also symbolizes the “living water” that flows from those who are children of God and have the Holy Spirit living within them (John 7:28).

 

John mentions that in Jesus’ right hand are seven stars. These may represent either the seven angels who watch over the seven churches mentioned later or the seven ministers or messengers of these churches. Whatever the stars represent, the meaning of them being in Jesus’ right hand is that they are under His close watch, care and protection.

 

John also tells us that “In His mouth was a two edged sword.” The word for sword here differs from those we know mentioned in other verses that speak of the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). The Greek word for “sword” of the Spirit is “machaira” and represents a short sword or dagger that is held by a soldier or warrior. The word here used by John to describe the double-edged sword in Jesus’ mouth is “rhomphaia” and describes a weapon of much larger size that is either a large sword or spear. It symbolizes an instrument of judgment and anguish, thus describing again the righteous judgment that Jesus will make concerning the souls of mankind.

 

Finally John describes the face of Jesus as “shining like the sun in all its strength.” The sun’s rays are so strong that we cannot look directly at this star without risking blindness. This description reminds us of the radiance of the face of Moses when he descended from Mount Sinai after he had spoken with God. This brightness represents again Jesus’ purity and holiness. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the “radiance” of God’s glory and the “exact representation of His nature.” Thus the brilliant appearance of Jesus here is a representation of His deity. Such pure godly light reveals all that is hidden in the darkness and therefore exposes all manner of deception and dishonesty. No one can lie to God and get away with it. No one will escape the pure and just judgment of Christ on the great day when He evaluates each person’s soul.

 

John’s description of Jesus is now finished and his account of his response follows. He falls at the feet of Jesus like a dean man. I am sure John didn’t stand before Jesus contemplating all the aspects of His appearance and finally decided to fall at His feet. I am sure his response was instantaneous. I am sure if we were standing by John’s side and observing Jesus standing before us in this manner it would be hard to tell who hit the floor with their face quicker, John, you or me.

 

When the final days are done and we stand before Jesus personally and individually our only response will be to bow low as is possible before His holiness and perfection. Those of us who have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior will do this out of humble submission and love for Him. Those of us who have rebelled against Him and chosen to refuse His offer of salvation will bow in regret, embarrassed for our selfish decision to ignore His right to be Lord of our lives.

 

Knowing that you will one day see this Jesus described by John in Revelation and that this Jesus will judge all that you have done, what is your response? Will you go about life as you always have or will you make a course change? The Jesus described in Revelation is not only waiting at the end of time to judge you and me, He is also waiting right now to commune with you. He desires to be your Lord. He wishes to offer help and guidance and to offer forgiveness for all your sins, past, present and future.

 

I’m sure you would agree it would be better to be called a child of God and a friend of Jesus than to suffer His judgment that can so easily be avoided. I suggest you re-evaluate your life whether you are believer or non-believer. How will you respond to the description of Jesus by John as told in the book of Revelation?

 

Jesus waits for your answer.