The Light Speaks

Revelation 1:12-13 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
 
THE trumpet-like voice demanded John’s attention. He turned to see seven golden lampstands. It is light, the first element of God’s creation (Genesis 1:3). The light comes from seven golden lampstand, representing the seven churches, the people of God. Amid the lampstands is Jesus, described as one like the Son of Man. Both the lampstands and “Son of Man” are images throughout Scripture of God’s holy presence with his people.
   The seven lampstands are first mentioned in Exodus 25.
From one lamp comes six branches, seven lights in all, to light the first tabernacle. The lampstands were in the tabernacle’s first room to light the way into the inner chamber where God dwelled. Light reveals God’s truth and power. Light restores, grows and protects.
   The prophet Zechariah also received a vision of a lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it. This vision was a prophecy of God’s promise to restore his Word and worship to
Jerusalem after the Jews had returned from the Babylon exile. It was also a prophecy of the Kingdom of God to come. Jesus, too, powerfully declares he is light. Be sure to understand he is stating he is the light of creation: John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John also wrote in John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The lampstand points to God’s life fully creating his church and restoring souls to salvation.
   Every Jew, too, understood that “Son of Man” described one who came from the eternal God. Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of Heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.” John affirms his message comes from Heaven, from the Savior, the Lord of the church.
   The Lord’s message to John, then, begins with a promise to his church throughout the ages. “When a church faces persecution, it should remember Christ’s deep love and compassion. When a church is wracked by internal strife and conflict, it should remember Christ’s concern for purity and his intolerance of sin. Jesus is sovereign over the church.” (from The Life Application Commentary) The Lord is light. He is Son of Man – authority from Heaven. He is eternal. Listen to him.
 
Prayer: We rejoice, Lord Jesus, that you are with us. We acknowledge your authority and faithfully trust in your light to guide us into your truth. Amen.