I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. – Revelation 1:12-13
In the last post, you learned that John heard a loud voice like a trumpet behind him. That the voice John heard was behind him indicates that he occurs at some future time in the Lord’s Day AFTER Christ’s 1000-year kingdom ends! In other words, Christ’s 1000-year kingdom is behind John, it will have passed. John is shown what occurs after that time period of Christ’s 1000-year kingdom has ended.
The Voice That Was Speaking With John
So, who is this voice that was speaking to John? Well, John turns around to see! One can only imagine the specter of what John initially sees!
Firstly, he sees seven golden lampstands. We are not told that these lampstands are lit. Lampstands were used for support of oil-burning lamps. Lampstands were used in the home, the tabernacle, and in the temples.
I had mentioned in a previous post that the temple consisted primarily of two compartments: (1) The Holy and (2) The Most Holy. I also mentioned that The Most Holy represented the presence of God and only the High Priest was allowed to enter into that compartment.
Note: There was another element of the temple called the courtyard. This is was for the non-priestly class. Silver lampstands were used there.
Within The Most Holy compartment, golden lampstands were placed on a table in front of the compartment, and when lit, they illuminated The Most Holy compartment.
So, what John sees is something representative of The Most Holy, that is, God’s presence.
In among the seven golden lampstands, John sees someone like the son of man! Who is that? That Jesus Christ is High Priest today, he is the only one who can enter into The Most Holy. Plus, John tells us that he sees someone like the son of man (not a man), this must be Jesus Christ himself!
John goes on to describe what this one like the son of man is wearing …
Dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. – Revelation 1:13
Note: Also, read Daniel 7:13 as the Prophet shows that Jesus Christ gained access to the “Ancient of Days” (The Most Holy Himself).
That Jesus Christ is seen in a robe and a golden sash on his chest. The High Priest wore a golden sash around his chest signifying precious or sacred service to God. Thus, John sees Jesus Christ as a High Priest girded as a servant to His God and Father.
Later, you will see that the seven golden lampstands represent the seven congregations in the Province of Asia. (Revelation 1:20)
In the next post, I will finish up with Revelation Chapter 1. I think you will enjoy it.
