A View of Christ

Revelation 1:14-15 ~ "The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters."

Let us, today, take a look upon the Righteous One, the Holy Savior and King of kings. What do we see when we "fix our eyes upon Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2)?

John, in this vision given to him by God Almighty, was on the isle of Patmos, exiled there for the sake of the gospel. Driven away by the ruling leaders of his day, the aged apostle spent his Sunday in prayer (see Revelation 1:10). And as he was "in the Spirit" he heard a voice, a powerful voice speaking from behind him. He turned and there, in radiant glory, in regal majesty, stood the LORD Jesus. Where was He standing? In the midst of the golden lampstands--representative of the church He came to save (see Revelation 1:12-13).

Look upon His white hair, like wool and snow, and there we see Jesus in all His righteousness. The crown of righteousness is set upon the heads of the redeemed, but the Redeemer is crowned of His own nature, the very essence of righteousness. We struggle in sin, and we fall into the snares of our own broken nature. But our advocate has never sinned and though He is absolute in righteousness, He will stand in defense of His people. 1 John 2:1 states, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." The LORD is perfect in righteousness, and has the right to condemn. But He will not condemn any who have placed their faith in Him. 

Gaze into the burning eyes of our LORD. With eyes like flames of fire, there is a sense in which Jesus will burn through all pretense and all falsehoods, He will see through all deceptions and all dissembling efforts of the world and the enemy. You can trust that when Christ looks upon you, He sees you with absolute clarity. We know this from John 2:25, "And needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man." There is no need for you to hide your sin and shame from the LORD, for He sees you with perfect sight. Simply run to Him in confession and repentance and you will discover that He who looks on you with eyes of flames will cleanse you fully (see 1 John 1:9). 

And, beloved, let us walk with the LORD who steps through the world with feet like burnished bronze. There is no place where Jesus cannot go. His feet are as if refined in a furnace, for He went through the crucible of the greatest suffering--He endured the very wrath of God on behalf of His people. And the LORD Jesus stands in perfect stability, He will not be bowled over nor can His steps be prevented. The LORD crushed the head of the serpent (see Genesis 3:15). And though His heel may have been bruised in His suffering the cross, they now are burnished bronze and will crush His enemies. Ephesians 1:22 says, "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church." The greatest enemy did not stop Jesus... and if we walk with Him, we will discover that nothing will. 

And now, beloved, will you hearken unto His voice? Will you listen to Him? His voice was the voice like many waters--like the thunderous roar that cannot be silenced. Great waterfalls that crash upon the rocks below and echo through the valleys are but a whisper compared to the LORD. The oceans, though mighty as they crash against the shore, fall silent to the voice of Christ (see Luke 8:24). There is such danger when we turn a deaf ear to Christ Jesus the LORD. Hebrews 12:25 warns, "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven." The thunderous voice of Christ speaks powerfully of His love and grace to those who listen, but to those who ignore His word, they will surely hear His just and certain condemnation. 

Beloved, look to Jesus. Trust Him. He alone is Savior and He alone is King. Cast yourself upon His loving mercy and receive His full pardon for sin, and be crowned in His righteousness. Follow Him, for His steps are always true. Listen to Him, for His words are life to those who believe.

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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