“I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet…” (Revelation 1:9-20, NASB)

What does Jesus look like now? What is he doing today? And what does he want from us? We can know the answers to these questions unmistakably as we read today’s passage. John writes,

“And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle. And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.”

Apostle John was visited by Jesus when he was exiled and imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his gospel ministry. The person whom he saw on that day was none other than the risen and glorified Jesus in the eternal form. In other words, Jesus that John saw and described in his letter is what he looks like right now and what he will look like forever and ever.

First, what does Jesus look like, and what is he doing today? Jesus appeared as “one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across his breast with a golden girdle.” Based on the description, he was wearing a high priestly garment, and to have a “girdle” about him indicates that he was actually working as a priest. In fact, the book of Hebrews literally says that Jesus is the “Great High Priest” in the heavens (Heb.4:14), and the book of Romans says that he is “interceding” for us at the right hand of God (Rom.8:34). The description continues to say that his hair was “white like white wool, like snow,” likely a symbol for holiness and purity. His eyes were like a “flame of fire,” indicating the judgment of God that no one can escape. His feet were like “burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace,” indicating perfect righteousness that enables him to stand before God. His voice was like the “sound of many waters,” indicating the majesty and power of his word. In other words, Jesus is not only a perfect high priest but also a powerful one.

Second, what should we be doing as followers of Christ based on these things? If Jesus is the Great High Priest and he is doing the priestly work in heaven right now, what do you think his church, the body of Christ, should be doing on earth? The logical conclusion is that the mission of the church is to be the royal priesthood, and that every Christian is a temple of God (1 Cor.3:16) and a royal priest in that temple. John saw Jesus holding “seven stars” in his right hand, standing in the midst of the “seven golden lampstands,” which are interpreted as the “seven angels of the seven churches.” It is obvious that “seven churches” here refers to the whole body of Christ, even though John was commanded to write to the seven physical churches at that time. If it were seven literal churches in Asia, then the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, Rome, Thessalonica, and every other church since then are not Jesus’ church. I believe Jesus used the seven churches in Asia as a symbolic representation of the whole Church of God of all time. In other words, the Lord’s presence and work have been manifested through the Church since her birth and will continue to do so until he returns for her. It refers to Jesus’ presence, power, and work being manifested through the Church. This is who Jesus is, what he is doing in heaven right now, and what he is showing us we should be doing on earth.

• What do you think Jesus is doing in heaven according to John’s description?
• What do you think the “seven churches” represent?
• As temples of God and priests of that temple, what is our role and work on earth?