What is your vision of Jesus? Do you see him as the humble man in a robe and sandals with kind eyes? Do you see him as the beaten, bleeding, innocent one hanging on a cross? Or how about the image of Jesus we see in the show “The Chosen”? He’s relatable, he’s personable, he’s fun, he’s engaged, and he’s patient. I believe he is all of these things. But, let’s take a look of another image of Jesus he specifically wants us to see.

Jesus himself appeared to John and told him to write down everything he saw. This is how John describes Jesus in Revelation 1: 12-18 –

“When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were life flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

Remember, John knows Jesus. He was with Jesus during his entire ministry on earth. He saw Jesus move and work, and he walked along side him as a friend and partner in ministry. John knew this was Jesus. Jesus the relatable, personable, fun, engaged, patient, humble, kind one who he witnessed hanging on the cross. But now he sees God in Jesus. He sees this glorious being who resembles his dear friend and master, Jesus, but this person is far beyond human.

He sees pure power. He sees divine authority. He sees unmatched brilliance. And Jesus WANTS John to see him. He not only wants John to see him, but he says to John, “Write down what you have seen.”

Jesus knew you would be here today needing this vision of him. He knew you would need to see his power and his authority. He knew you would personally need to see his glory. And Jesus is saying, “John, you have to write this down because one appointed day, 1,930 years from now, my dearly loved and chosen girl will be seeking me, and she needs to see me as more than the brown haired man with kind eyes in a linen robe and sandals. She needs to know I am so much more. Write it down so she knows.”

So, here you are today, as God knew you would be. Now, first think about that. How absolutely wild is it that God always knew you would be precisely where you are right now, struggling with what you’re struggling with, questioning what you’re questioning, needing what you’re needing today. And he divinely aligned the details of today so you could see him.

Now, let’s see him, because that’s what he wants. He wants you to see him as more. He wants you to know of his power, his authority and his brilliance. Slow down, settle in, and envision the glorious being John sees and know THIS is your Savior. We’re given 8 details.

1. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. These are clothes worn by important high ranking people, rulers with great power, and angels representing heaven. So, this is an image of authority in all ways. He’s not meek. He’s not mild. He’s not defeated.

2. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. The color white represents several things. First, white hair, in many cultures, is associate with wisdom. Our Jesus KNOWS. He is not unaware. He is fully aware in every way of every detail. He knows the circumstances and he knows the solutions. Wisdom is his. He’s never perplexed. Never uncertain. And never without a certified, fool-proof, definite plan. He has always known the end from the beginning. White is a color associated with purity, righteousness and holiness. His hair is white because he is perfect. (Remember that the next time you complain about your white hair. Girl, it’s just a little bit of perfection showing up as you age and get wiser.)

3. And his eyes were like flames of fire. The Jesus John has known before was a meek servant who walked as a willing sacrifice. Now, John sees Jesus with these eyes of fire. This denotes absolute power and might. A blessing for his beloved people, but a sheer terror for his enemies. Those eyes see everything, and hold the power to do all things.

4. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace. Bronze was the metal used for warfare because at this time in history, it was the hardest and toughest material. Harder than iron. And Jesus feet, like polished bronze are showing they are armored. His armored feet are prepared, ready to move, and ready to CRUSH the head of his enemy.

5. His voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. Have you ever stood on the beach with crashing waves? Those waves are LOUD. Their sound reveals their undeniable force and power. You can’t speak over their sound. In Hawaii, our little house is several miles from the shore, and we can still hear those waves. John is telling us, the voice of Jesus is booming and loud. It is powerful. It cannot be denied or ignored. Our Jesus demands to be heard.

6. He held seven stars in his right hand. These stars are also defined as angels. Heavenly beings. Messengers of God for his people. And Jesus holds them in his right hand. The right hand is a symbol of authority and power. But also understand, the right hand was the hand used in attack. The sword for attack is held in the right hand, while the defensive shield is held in the left. Jesus is showing he holds the power to attack and annihilate the enemy. He will command his angels to bring victory. All authority is his. Nothing can happen without his awareness. Does he orchestrate all things? No. However if he allows it, know that it wasn’t because it slipped by him or defeated him – in authority, he allowed it because he knew he could use it. And in his right hand, he will use it to bring eternal victory.

7. A sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. To understand, we must turn to Hebrews 5:12, “The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” How many times have you been listening to this devotional and thought, “Wow, how did she know? How did she just speak precisely to what I’m going through? How does it always hit just right?” Well, simply because I’m not speaking my words, I’m speaking the words of God, and his words are alive. They move, they flow, and they hold divine power. Jesus speaks with that power. For his people, this means blessings – for his enemies, this means they will face that sword and they will be utterly defeated.

8. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Jesus does nothing small. Just like the sun touches and changes the whole earth, and without the sun there is no life, Jesus changes everything and brings life to all things. The sun represents the ultimate source of light and energy. Jesus face radiates his glory. Nothing compares to his face because nothing exists without him. He is pure power.

And with this vision of Jesus, he says, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave!”

Not the devil. He doesn’t hold the keys. He doesn’t hold the power or have access. The keys are held solely by Jesus.

This is our Jesus, and he wants you to see his power!!!!!

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