The Son of Man

The Book of Revelation is steeped in many rich images and allusions, but some of the most potent are images of the risen and glorified Christ. The whole premise (as I have mentioned in other posts) is that fact that Christ has been exalted and He is the one who is in control. Now, there are three major images of Christ that are present in the book and they are: The Son of Man, The Lion and the Lamb and the Rider on a White Horse. These images each present Christ in a slightly different way, but ultimately they reinforce the concept that He is in control. The next couple weeks will be devoted to these images, and this week I will discuss the image of the Son of Man. 

The Son of Man*

The Son of Man:

The Son of Man image that is present in Revelation 1:9-20 uses the imagery that is present in Daniel 7 when Daniel describes the Ancient of Days (in this way John is demonstrating the deity of Christ), but each one of the images used is also related to Jesus' status or role. 

1. Clothed in a long robe with a gold sash around his chest: There are two main ways that this image can be interpreted. The first way (and many argue that this is the correct way) is that these image is alluding to the High Priest's dress. This could be the case, and the gold sash could represent the breastplate that was worn by the priests (and of course, this would fit with Christ's priestly role), but some scholars (like Grant Osborne and David Aune) suggest that this is to represent Christ's high rank and this is because of the way that the Roman aristocrats would wear their sashes around their chest, unlike their commoner counterparts who wore their sashes around their waists. Whether this represents Christ's priestly role or high position, this image displays Christ's status among the nations. 

2. Hair that is white like wool: This connection is drawing directly upon the image of the Ancient of Days figure from Daniel 7: 9-10. The white hair demonstrates the wisdom that Christ possesses and this could also be a reference to Proverbs 20:29 which talks about the wise having white hair. 

3. Eyes that burn with a flame of fire: this is an attribute that is typically attributed to angelic or divine figures, especially in Ancient Greek culture. This is a common image for God as well. His eyes also demonstrate His knowledge of truth and He knows who disobeys Him and He will bring judgement. 

4. Burnished feet like bronze: This is one of the more tricky images in this section of Revelation, and this image may be an allusion to Christ's military might and power as bronze is typically used for military campaigns in the Ancient Near East. It could also just be used to demonstrate his glory and splendour. 

5. Voice like many waters: This is an extremely common attribute that is associated with God. This image is also used of God in the pseudopigripha (like the Apocalypse of Abraham (17:1)). 

6. Holding seven stars in his right hand: The right hand is often associated with power and authority (in both the Bible and other ancient writings). We know what the stars represent as Jesus tells us himself in the next few verses. With this image, we can rest in the fact that Christ is the one who hold even the angels in his hand. He is in complete and utter control. 

7. The sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth: This of course is an image that brings the reader straight to the fact that Christ will come in judgement and the idea of the sword is present in other New Testament passages as well (mostly referring to the Word of God). 

8. His face shining like the sun: This is one of the easier images to understand in this passage and it is bringing into focus the splendour to the exalted Lord. This of course brings us back to Exodus 34:29 when Moses returns from Mt. Sinai, and his face is glowing because he was conversing with God. 

The letters to the seven churches all start off with Christ using the above images in specific connection to specific churches. 

If we take a closer look at the letters to the seven churches, we see that Jesus offer's both admonition and judgment upon his churches. The one who is in complete control is the one who sovereignly executes his judgments upon the earth. When these images of Christ are seen together they demonstrate the rule, power, authority and judgment of Christ the exalted and risen king. 

As believers today, we must rely on the fact that Christ is indeed the risen and exalted Lord. The one who comes in power and authority, the one who is sovereignly in control of the universe and is guiding it to it's ultimate end. 

Let us never forget that Jesus Christ is the Son of Man who is presented in Revelation 1:9-20. 

To Him Who Sits on the Throne.

*image taken from: http://www.newheartnewspirit.com/jesus-in-the-book-of-daniel