Revelation 1:13-20 And in the middle of the seven candlesticks one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot… I. HIS WONDERFUL POSITION. "In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." 1. This implies His presence with His people (Exodus 33:14, 15; Psalm 132:13, 14; Isaiah 43:1, 2). He is in the midst of the golden candlesticks as the great High Priest, trimming, preparing, and lighting the lamps. 2. The symbol supposes communion and fellowship; He walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. 3. The words imply Divine superintendence; His peculiar power and providence; His gracious inspection; His unceasing care. 4. The words are expressive of Divine operation. Jesus works while He walks; He is never idle. (1) He works by His Spirit. (2) He works by His providence. (3) He works by His judgments, as well as by His mercy. (4) The effects of Christ's working are manifold and gracious.The first effect is holiness. The next effect is happiness, everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. A third effect is glory: Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 5. His presence implies the stability of the Church. He is in the Church as the God of nature, providence, and grace; and no weapon formed against her shall prosper. II. His DIVINE PERSON. 1. The human nature of our Lord Jesus Christ — "I saw one like unto the Son of Man."(1) The likeness. There is the likeness of resemblance: God sent forth His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He was not sinful flesh, but lie bare the likeness. There is the likeness of identity: He that was in the form of God was really God; He that was in the form of a servant was really a servant; and He that was made in the likeness of men, and was found in fashion as a man, was really a man. There is also the likeness of equality: He not only took the nature of man, but his frail, afflicted, mortal state. And there is here also the likeness of representation: in His low and afflicted condition on earth, we have an image of man as a mourner and a mortal; and in His glorified condition at the Father's right hand, we have a representation of what the saints in heaven shall for ever be. As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (2) The reality of His human nature. Although comparison is here employed, yet the reality is implied in the comparison. The incarnation of the Son was an important part of the counsels of eternity. This great doctrine was taught by types and symbols. All his appearances to the holy patriarchs were preludes and pledges of His coming in the flesh. (3) The necessity of His human nature. As a Prophet, it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren; as a Priest, to be taken from amongst men; as a King, to be made of the house of David. Thus in the glorious description that follows, He appears in the likeness of the Son, and human members are ascribed to His Divine person. 2. The Divine nature of our blessed Lord. (1) The likeness of the Son of God. There is here, as in His human nature, the likeness of resemblance — He resembles God; He resembles Him in everything; He is the perfect image of the invisible God. (2) The reality of His Deity. (3) The necessity of His Deity. It behoved Jesus to be God as well as man, that He might be the Daysman between both parties; that His Deity might impart infinite value to His obedience and suffering and atoning sacrifice; that He might be the object of faith, hope, and confidence; and that His Deity might impart power and dignity to His intercession and His government. 3. The wonderful union between the Divine and human natures in His one Divine person; as Immanuel, God with us. He is both God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever. This union is ineffable, unsearchable, mysterious, and Divine. It is the great mystery of godliness; God manifest in the flesh. 4. The effects of this union. (James Young.) Parallel Verses KJV: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. |
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