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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Revelation 1:13
Comments
These words come straight out of the Book of Daniel (Daniel 7:9, 13; 10:5). Christ frequently uses this title for himself – ‘Son of man’. In the midst of the seven lampstands, equidistant from them all like the hub of a wheel, was Jesus Christ, Lord of the churches. He is clothed as a king, a garment down to the foot with a golden girdle. These are kingly garments. He has royal and priestly robe and belt. It symbolises his eternal majesty, and his power, and his activity. John recognised him; of course he knew him. He loved him on earth, and he knew what Christ was like, and recognised him at once. But now he is quite different in many ways, and you see the difference in these great symbols or figures. John sees him, but not as he saw him on earth, clad in a weak body. Instead he sees him just full of power and activity and majesty.Christ obviously does not actually look as he is described here. This is symbolic language intended us to teach about his powers and glory, not about his appearance. He is described to us in the language of the vision.
Application
Every single particular congregation, individual congregation, is a lampstand. In the New Testament every local church is autonomous and governed and blessed directly by Christ.
No one church is more important than another. A large church may gather a thousand on a Sunday morning, and there are many churches that gather a dozen or two dozen. They are equally important to Christ who stands in the midst, equidistant from them all, close to all his people wherever they are. His heart is entirely for them, and his power and blessing are with them.
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