Part 5...
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
This "great voice" identifies Himself.
It is none other than Christ Jesus Himself.
He repeats again to John that He is Alpha and Omega... that He is the first and the last.
The One John is worshipping on the Lord's Day, is there present with him.
How awesome is that?
Jesus tells John to write down everything he sees in a book and to send it to the seven churches in Asia minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.)
Christ's message(s) to these churches is of utmost importance.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
John turns around to see Whose voice it is that is speaking to him.
But... the first thing he notices is seven golden candlesticks.
Here's our first symbol... golden candlesticks.
What they represent we will be told very shortly.
We have several clues though...
• Candlesticks or lampstands are light bearers or givers.
• There are seven of them.
13 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.
Walking amongst these candlesticks, John sees someone that looks like the Son of man.
John must have recognised it was Jesus.
Jesus the Son of God was also the Son of man... the son of Joseph and Mary.
This reminds us that the Divine Son of God became a human flesh and blood being to do His Father's bidding... the redemption and salvation of mankind.
The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men could become the sons of God.
Jesus is wearing a long garment right down to His ankles.
This is a description of the high priest, in his priestly robes.
Jesus is our high priest in heaven interceding before the Father on our behalf.
The garment is held in place around his waist with a golden belt.
The emblem both of regal and priestly dignity.
14 His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire...
John notices that His hair was white like wool... as white as snow.
This was not only an emblem of His antiquity, but it was the evidence of His glory.
The whiteness or splendour of his Head and hair no doubt proceeded from the rays of light and glory which encircled His head, and darted from it in all directions.
One of Jesus's titles is the Ancient of Days.
John sees that "His eyes were as a flame of fire"...
Nothing escapes His gaze.
Jesus sees all and knows all.
This speaks of His omniscience. His eyes are very intense, searching and penetrating, and discovers and brings to light things most dark and obscure.
15 And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
John sees that Christ's "feet are like fine brass," burning as if they were in a furnace.
Brass in the Scriptures speaks of judgement.
And that is exactly what Christ Jesus comes to do in the book of Revelation.
Brass is also an emblem of His stability and permanence... brass being considered the most durable of all metallic substances or compounds.
"His voice as the sound of many waters "... just like the roar of the ocean, or of a cataract.
Nothing could be a more magnificent description of majesty and authority than to compare the voice of a speaker with the roar of the ocean.
Christ's voice is loud and very clear.
What He says can never be mistaken.
Nor should it be ignored.