July 7, 2006
Revelation 1:12, "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands."
When one hears an unfamiliar voice, and in the world of deceit, the voice of truth is indeed an unfamiliar voice, one cannot help but be moved to action. He cannot remain as he was, he cannot be indifferent, but is compelled to do one of two things. Either he turns to see the voice that spoke to him, or runs in the opposite direction from the place the voice originated in the hopes of no longer hearing it, not wanting to see, for seeing makes him accountable.
When we turn as John did, to see the voice that speaks to us, we are confronted with Christ, for He is always there wanting to be known, wanting to be seen by those whom He calls by name. We are given every opportunity, every chance, to see Him as He truly is, and if we fail in doing so, it is by our own choosing.
John turned to see seven golden lamp stands, meaning that he turned to see, what is perfect heavenly light. As we all know seven is the number of perfection, completion, sanctification, and within those seven golden lamp stands, John saw perfect light. Only in perfect light, can we see and know the mysteries of God, discern the plan of God on earth, and choose rightly between good and evil.
The seven golden lamp stands, are the image of God's true church on earth. They are, as the body of Christ should be, a perfect heavenly light amidst a world of darkness, a light that is not dimmed, or darkened, a light absent of discoloration, that bursts forth as a beacon in the darkest of night, pointing the way to Christ.
One other aspect of this verse that I feel I need to touch on, if only briefly, is that one cannot see God, unless he turns his back on sin. John had to turn, in order to see the voice, and spiritually speaking, we must turn our back to the world, if we desire to see the Kingdom of God, we must turn our back on deception, if we hunger to know truth in all it's wonderful light.
We can only face in one direction. The choice that is left to every individual, is which direction he will face. Either we turn our back on God, and light, facing Satan and darkness, or we turn our face toward God, and our back toward darkness. This is why our faith must be an all or nothing endeavor, this is why there is no middle ground, no gray area, no duality of walk. Either we are for God, or against Him, it is, in the end as simple as that.
Those who have turned their face toward God are born again. Whether birth is physical, or spiritual, both must be in their entirety. One cannot be born only halfway, be it spiritually, or physically, there is no such thing as partial birth.
Only those that have been truly born again, can then be called into the work of God. Only those that have achieved a certain level of maturity can then be asked to take on greater responsibility. One cannot hide his nature, just as one cannot hide his skin color. Those born of God are known by all, their friends and enemies, angels and demons alike. Undercover Christianity is an illusion, it does not exist, and if one thinks he can blend in with the world and still be a child of God, he is tragically mistaken.
Long ago, Christ was gathered together with His disciples, and knowing that Peter would deny Him, he said the following:
Luke 22:31-32, "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Though not a widely meditated upon scripture, it carries much weight and is deserving of much contemplation. Until Peter was to return to Christ, he would be of no use to the Kingdom. A dead man cannot strengthen another dead man; a servant of sin cannot free another from the shackles of sin; a fallen man cannot strengthen one who has also fallen; one who wallows in the darkness cannot give light to another, for he has no light to give.
Only after we have returned to God, can we strengthen our brethren, enlighten them, and lift them up. Although Peter had walked with Christ for three and a half years, he had not been born again, his rebirth had not occurred. Only after his return to God, only after receiving the Holy Spirit and power on the day of Pentecost, was he able to strengthen the brethren and begin his true ministry in God's service, laboring on behalf of the Kingdom tirelessly for the rest of his days.
As long as he walked with Christ only bodily, Peter continually needed to be strengthened by Christ. When He was born again, the power resided in him, and it was that power that gave him the boldness and courage to stand before high priests and magistrates and proclaim the unwavering message of Christ, and the cross.
A man can walk bodily with the Lord for many years, and not truly be born again. During this time, one is not called to labor in His field, given the wisdom to understand the mysteries of truth, or have true fellowship with the brethren. During this season of uncertainty in a man's life, the Savior waits patiently for true commitment, true rebirth, and a true and unquenchable passion for the things of God.
Only when we have made that covenant with God, when we have been born again, can we say that we are spiritual beings, faithful soldiers, unwavering in our obedience to God our Father in Heaven.
Revelation 1:13, "And in the midst of the seven lamp stands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band."
I keep returning to this idea, for it is one that must accompany us throughout this journey through the book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is a book filled with symbols, and symbolism, it is essentially a vision, and in visions events are not perceived, as they would be in the natural world.
When John begins to describe what he beheld in this verse as well as the subsequent verses, his description is reminiscent of the prophet Daniel's vision.
Daniel 7:13, "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him."
As previously mentioned, the seven lamp stands, symbolize the universal Church, and the One like the Son of Man, standing in the midst of the seven lamp stands, is indeed Christ Jesus. The One is like the Son of Man, meaning that somehow his countenance and appearance, are different than what they were while He walked the earth. He is like the Son of Man, and John perceives it as such, for now John sees Him in His exalted state, clothed in glory and righteousness.
The garment with which Christ was clothed, that extended down to his feet, is the same garment He had before he came to earth, which He took upon Himself once more after His subsequent resurrection, and return to heaven. How can we know this? Because the word of God confirms this truth, through a vision Isaiah had in which He describes the Lord's garment in the same detail as John.
Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple."
The garment that Christ wore is also used to signify his position as Great High Priest, as well as Minister of the sanctuary. It reveals Christ in all His majesty, a sight that I am certain left John in awe.
Hebrews 7:24-28, "But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's but this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever."
Hebrews 8:1-2, "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, which is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man."
Another aspect I feel I must point out is that as Minister of the true tabernacle, He is also judge of the sanctuary. It is known by all that judgment begins in the house of God, and in His righteousness, He will judge justly for the blood He shed demands righteous judgment. If we perceive Christ as being only love, then we have only seen one dimension, of a multi dimensional Savior, a perception that causes many to live lukewarm lives, considering in their hearts that though they are doing unrighteous things, the God of righteousness will overlook them in His love.
1 Peter 4:17, "17-19, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."
Rather than be girded with a band of linen around his chest, as the priests in the Old Testament were, Christ was girded with a golden band, signifying His righteousness and faithfulness.
Isaiah 11:3-5, "His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist."
I realize I have gotten a little scripture heavy when contemplating this verse, but it is in the Word that we find the best and most illuminating explanations for those things, which may be a bit uncertain to us. God's word has an answer for every question, if only we are willing to accept and receive the answer that it gives us. Often times it is because we don't like what God has to say concerning a certain subject that we pretend He has not dealt with it in His Holy Bible. Truth is present for those willing to receive it.
With that having been said, we return to the image that John saw as he turned, to look upon Christ in all of His glory. His girded chest symbolizes His office of Great High Priest. Christ stands in the midst of His congregation, in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands, to ensure that they do not diminish in their light, or are put out. He chastens and comforts, He wounds and He binds up, He tears down and builds up as needed, that His bride would be that which He desires it to be on earth. Christ stands in the midst of perfect light, for He not only is consummate light, but also perfects the light.
It is by His example that we learn to walk in the light in perpetuity, and not only walk in the light but be the light, in our actions and conduct that we may have fellowship with Him, and with one another for His glory and the furthering of His work on earth.
Revelation 1:14, "His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;"
As John describes the countenance of Jesus Christ, as he was shown in his vision, it is of utmost importance to us as faithful servants to weigh the words, to meditate upon them, and see what deeper meaning they may hold. One of the wonders of God's word, is that it is simple yet complex, multifaceted to the point that one can contemplate a certain scripture all of his natural life, and still discover something new, and finite in the message God was trying to convey to us. It is incumbent upon us to peel back the layers of symbolism, and discover the deeper truth, the truth hidden from the eye of the cursory or superficial reader.
After noticing His garment, the first thing that catches John's eye as he takes in Christ's countenance, is His head and His hair which were white like wool, as white as snow.
The first thing that the white hair signifies is that Christ Jesus was from the beginning, all knowing, overflowing with wisdom and understanding.
The second thing that can be perceived by the hair white, as snow is that our Savior is both Master of glory, and holiness.
Proverbs 16:31, "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness."
Proverbs 20:29, "The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head."
Daniel 7-10, "I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened."
The third aspect signified by the white hair, is the victory obtained by righteousness. White is the symbol of peace, and after man is washed, and made white by the redemptive blood of Christ, the peace of God can enter in and overflow. Only then will we be those that stand before His throne, arrayed in white robes, having been sanctified and redeemed.
Again, we will be getting somewhat scripture heavy, but it is necessary to illustrate the many aspects of Christ's countenance that are so readily overlooked, because in light of other revelations in this book, it may seem unimportant. The countenance of Christ, speaks of the nature of Christ, that of holiness, and righteousness, immutability, omnipotence and omniscience, and without understanding the nature of Christ, we will never truly understand Christ.
Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white as snow. Though they are red like crimson they shall be as wool."
Revelation 7:13-14, "Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, 'who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from? And I said to him, 'Sir you know.' So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Another interpretation of Christ's white hair is His righteous judgment. A judgment that is without partiality, a judgment that is color blind. White, in this context, is not a color, but merely light.
Matthew 17, 1-2, "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
Our Savior does not belong to a certain nationality, color, religious denomination, political party, or social grouping. Any one group that says they have a monopoly on Christ is founded on lies, and the truth is not in them. Though we may try to divide Christ among ourselves, arguing over who has the bigger piece, the truth of the matter, is that Christ is above these things, He is not embroiled in them. His thought is white, it is pure, it is light, giving no respect, or preferential treatment to any one race, or any one nationality. All who receive Him are His own, all who allow Him to transform them, will be made pure, and all who believe on His name, will be saved.
May we as His servants, and followers be as impartial as Him, rightly dividing that which is just from that which is unjust, without partiality, being no respecter of persons, but standing on truth alone. It is how He desires us to be, that He may use us in His work. God has no use for a duplicitous servant. Though men may enjoy flattery, God detests it, and though men may compromise the truth for the sake of popularity or praise, God who is eternal, will stand on His eternal promises.
As John continues to describe Christ, he notices that His eyes were like a flame of fire. Fire, has always been a symbol of testing, or purifying and of proving the nature of a thing, whether good or evil.
1 Peter 1:6-9, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls."
With His eyes like a flame of fire, Jesus peers, into the soul of every man He sees the hidden things, which no other may know. He sees the good, in men and the evil in men, with startling clarity, absent of facade, that all things may be proven whether for the salvation of a man or the condemnation thereof. He knows us to the depth of our being, to the very core of whom we truly are when no one is watching, when we are not attempting to impress anyone, when we are our true selves. A form of godliness cannot deceive him, but rather He must see true godliness. He looks among His own people, He peers into the synagogues and determines what is true and undefiled worship, and what is tradition and ceremony. He sees all things, and cannot be deceived by outer appearance. When John looked, and beheld the image, this is the Christ that He saw, the One, highly exalted, omniscient, and omnipotent.
Revelation 1:15, "His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;"
The feet of Christ walk among the golden lamp stands, His church, and judges all things in line of God's will, a God who is a consuming fire, and will accept nothing less than the standard He set forth for His people.
Hebrews 12:28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."
John said of Christ's feet that they were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace. Refined brass has a shine to it, and although John doesn't specify that Christ's feet shone as brightly as His face, it would seem that His feet shone as well. Whether feet, or hands, they are all members of His body. They are the believers in God's house who use their gifts diligently, whether it be to minister, to teach, and exhort or prophecy.
Romans 6-8, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophecy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation, he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy with cheerfulness."
Brass in the Bible is the symbol of judgment, namely the brass altar where the sins of men were judged and sacrifices were brought forth for the forgiveness of their sins. Brass also speaks of the nature of man, just as gold speaks of heavenly nature. Believers have within them, both brass, (flesh) and gold, (spirit), and it is God's good pleasure to burn away that which is flesh, that the spirit may thrive and grow to maturity. Whenever the feet of Christ, which are like fine brass, walk among His lamps stands, his purpose is always to cleanse and purify, to transform, exhort, and chasten. Knowing that judgment begins in the house of God, how then can we presume that we will escape His judgment if we are found lacking in righteousness, compassion, mercy and worship? Would He not be an unjust God, if the only difference between the world and us was a church membership card, and yet we were spared His judgments?
1 Peter 4:17-19, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."
I realize I've gotten a bit sidetracked here, but I must point something out that has been as a thorn in my side for some years now. A new wave of teaching has flooded the church, wherein we are taught that righteousness, although a commendable concept is not practically attainable any longer. Although it is a lofty ideal, an intellectual exercise worthy of thought and contemplation, righteousness is too much to strive for, the unreachable dream of the masses, and so rather than thirst for righteousness we are to learn to love ourselves, and accept ourselves as we are, for truly that is how God accepts us.
If I may, I would ask that you reread the passage in 1 Peter once again, and let it truly sink in, let it press down on your soul with all the heaviness that truth is capable of mustering, and realize the absurdity of the new doctrine so many are believing.
If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Peter says, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? The verse presupposes that indeed righteousness is attainable, through the shed blood of Christ, and even goes one step further to reassert what the Scripture confirms throughout, that righteousness is not an option, or an unreachable ideal, but a very real necessity in the life of every believer, so much so that eternity hangs in the balance thereof.
Now that I've vented, we can return to Revelation, where John hears the voice of Christ, and likens it to the sound of many waters. The voice of our Lord is truth and even when it whispers, it thunders, it echoes and resounds as powerfully as a sonic boom, for truth is the nature of God. Nothing can stand in the way of a rushing wall of water, just as nothing can stand in the way of God's truth. It presses on, no matter the obstacles placed in its path.
Psalm 29:3-5, "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon."
In the beginning of the New Covenant, it was a stream that few paid attention to, but with time it became a powerful river, so much so, that at the end of the age it will overrun every deception put in its path. This is the everlasting truth of God, which will overcome in the end.
That truth would not destroy you run into the refuge of its embrace, become one with it, and you will rejoice in the victory and blessings of eternity. It is not enough to know the truth, but we must become one with it, it must become our nature, just as it is the nature of God, and only then will we know that we are of God.
As I was writing these few lines concerning truth, I remember having read something concerning the subject long ago, which had impacted me to such an extent that I had written it down in one of my journals. I had to go back through four years of journals, just to find the passage, but it was worth the effort.
'Truth is not something you can appropriate easily and quickly', the passage said. 'You certainly cannot sleep or dream yourself into the truth. No, you must be tried, do battle, and suffer if you are to acquire truth for yourself. It is a sheer illusion to think that in relation to truth there is an abridgment, a short cut that dispenses with the necessity of struggling for it. With respect to acquiring truth to live by, every generation and every individual must essentially begin from the beginning. To this end was Christ born, and for this purpose did he come into the world, that he should bear witness to the truth.'
Revelation 1:16, "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."
Although the truth of this book is written symbolically, it is revealed in such startling and minute detail, that all who truly desire to come to the knowledge of truth are able to perceive, and receive it. Anything that God does, has ever done, or will ever do, is complete. Unlike man, that which God begins, He finishes, and that which He speaks into being, appears without delay. So complete is God in all that He does that nothing can be added or taken away after His work is done.
Verse sixteen, continues with John's description of what he saw when presented with the image of Christ in his vision. He described Christ's countenance, His appearance, His radiance, and now continues to describe the seven stars that Christ held in his right hand.
The seven stars represent the seven angels that were assigned to the seven churches, which we will cover in later verses. What we know of stars is what we learned in elementary school, namely that they shine in the darkest of night, visible to the naked eye from millions of miles away.
Spiritually speaking however, the seven stars that Christ held in His right hand should speak to us as to the vastness of the work of God, and the plan of God, far beyond what we can see with the naked eye. They should compel us to be as lights in the night sky, visible from afar, burning brightly with the love of God, a lighthouse in the storm for all the weary travelers looking for a safe port. It is our duty to shine in this world of sin through our witness, testimony and daily lives, through our conduct and our speech, showing the world the greatness of our God, and compelling them to enter in.
The seven stars are in Christ's right hand, signifying that they are used, ordered and protected by Him.
Too many Christians today scoff at the idea of the spiritual world around us, unwilling to believe that angels encamp around them that they do battle on their behalf but if only for a second they would glimpse the truth of the spiritual realm, their perception would forever be altered.
Be at peace my brother, be at peace my sister, for the angels of God do battle on your behalf. What can be more encouraging, what can be more uplifting than to know that God is always there, and that no matter what, the light will always conquer the darkness?
Psalm 91:11-12, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
As we turn our attention to that which John saw, he describes a two edged sword coming out of the mouth of Christ. What a sight it must have been to behold the Son of God in all of His glory. The sword that John saw protruding from the mouth of Christ, symbolizes the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12-13, "For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joint and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him who we must give account."
Seeing as we live in a time where the word of God is discounted en mass, when many choose to believe men's imaginings and opinions rather than the truth of the Bible, I would like to take some time and meditate on what the word of God is, and on the absolute necessity for His children to have a solid foundation in this word. Throughout this discourse please keep in mind the most relevant, powerful, and important aspect of this verse, the focal point of it all, namely that the word of God is living, and powerful.
There is no power greater than life on this earth, and only life can multiply itself infinitely. The smallest seed that carries life within its core, can split stones, and surpass the greatest adversity, in its quest to grow to maturity. I am always amazed, when I walk through a parking lot, or down a sidewalk, and through the stone and cement, I see a crack from which a small and fragile flower is protruding, having conquered, what from its point of view would have been unconquerable.
The word of God is life, and for this very reason it can work in any environment, at any given time, and can overcome any opposition to its cause. The souls that have been conquered by the word of God are countless, and there is no other power, in the entire universe that can transform a sinner into a saint, a follower of darkness into a follower of light, than the living and powerful word of God. If the Word is the only thing that can do this, what becomes of those who sit in church pews for decades, and never truly hear the Word being spoken to them?
The danger of the times we are living in is that we have replaced this living and powerful word of God, with humanism, and self help doctrine, with prosperity programs, and retirement seminars. We starve the sheep, keeping them away from the meat of God's word, and the sheep, unaware of the great treasure that lies within the pages of the Holy Book, are content to consume whatever is laid before them, without questioning the validity of all these man made, and man inspired doctrines.
The pervasive absence of faith in today's society, is due to the unawareness of the ignorance so many currently find themselves in. It is the responsibility and sovereign duty of God's children, to speak the word of God, that the eyes of the masses may be opened, that the seed of truth may be planted in their hearts, and that they come to the knowledge of truth. Sad to say, but many have failed in this task, this primary commandment, to spread the gospel, and reach the lost. We expend our energies and our time in an attempt to garner men's praises, to achieve fame and fortune, and in doing so forget that we are not here to build kingdoms for ourselves, but to further the kingdom of God.
The message of the hour, for today's believer, is as simple as it is profound, namely to lift high the Word of life, to stand on the battlement of truth and do battle on its behalf. The powers of darkness have united, and conspire to destroy the Word of God, they attempt to water down and diminish the message of the cross, to the point that it becomes as salt without flavor. The Word must remain in its pure form, unaltered by men's opinions if it is to have a lasting and worthwhile effect.
The word of God is living and powerful, because it is a seed that is planted deep within the hearts of all who let it in. Everything hinges on how this seed is received. When it is only received with the mind, it cannot take root, it cannot grow and come to fruition.
The Word, was destined for the hearts of men, it is the heart that is good and fertile soil for it, and it is with the heart that the Word must be received submitting to its will, and living it day by day. Being living and powerful, it also transforms those who receive it into living beings, shrouded in holiness, love and wisdom.
Another aspect of the word of God, one that John witnessed symbolically is that it is as a two edged sword. Being, as a two edged sword, the word cuts deep within us, removing all that is deception, formalism, and sin. These things must be removed, that we may become whole, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit. I have often been asked, what it means to pierce even to the division of soul and spirit, and after much meditation, the best way I can describe the statement, is that the Word, the truth, clarifies and illuminates the stark differences between the soul and the spiritual, it separates clearly human sentiment, or unction of the flesh, from the leading of the Holy Spirit and righteous reason.
The soul is the natural environment of natural life, while the spirit, is the natural habitation of Spiritual life. Sin came into the world the overthrow the natural order of God, by putting the spirit under the dominion of the soul. The word of God rightly divides between the two, and nothing can escape this separation. This is the true life and power of God's word.
After he finishes describing the two edged sword coming out of Christ's mouth, John returns to His countenance once again noticing that it was like the sun shining in its strength. The fullness of God's revelation, which is in His Son Jesus Christ, is the light in which the Church must stand, and bask, that it may grow, and mature. If Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, he who walks in the fullness of His light, is perpetually victorious and fruitful.
How important is it to continually be in God's light? A good example would be the fact that nothing grows at the North Pole because the light of the sun never falls rightly on it. In more temperate climates, you get some vegetation because there is more light, and sun than you would get at the North Pole. On the equator however, where the sun shines in its fullness, there is lush vegetation everywhere. Why do I mention this, because everything is dependent on the quantity of light, and the warmth of the sun? It is the same from a spiritual point of view. The more of God's light we let in, the more we will grow and come into the fullness of what God has for us.
The glory of God was made manifest in His Son, and the purpose of the Church is to be filled with all the fullness of God, that it may rightly represent Him here on earth. May we endeavor to walk in the light, and continually desire to grow in Him.
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.