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purified burnished copper. John says that His voice sounded like many waters.
Ezek. 43: tells us that when he saw the returning glory of the God of Israel
"His voice was like the noise of many waters, and the earth shined with His glory. . . .
and He said. . . . the place of My throne, and the place of the soles of My feet. . . . shall
the house of Israel no more defile."
Rev. 1: is preparatory to this returning glory. John saw that the Son of man had
control of the seven angels, for "he had in His right hand seven stars." This clause is
repeated in 2: 1 and 3: 1. He also had proceeding out of His mouth a sharp two-edged
sword. This is referred to in 2: 12 and 16. This sword is to be used in the smiting of
the nations (19: 15-21). If it should seem strange to speak of a sword proceeding from
the mouth of the Son of man, Heb. 4: 12 will show the appropriateness of the figure.
The word translated "sword" in Rev. 1: occurs 6 times in the book, and only once
elsewhere, namely Luke 2: 35.
The final description given by John is that His countenance was as the sun shineth in
his strength. John had once before seen this glory foreshadowed, when the Lord was
transfigured, for we read that "His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as
the light." Upon this mount, Peter tells us, the Lord Jesus received "honour and glory."
The only occurrence of Son of man in Paul's writings is in Heb. 2: 6, and connects the
"honour and glory" with the dominion of Psa. 8: and is given as a pledge of the
kingdom over which as Son of man He will reign (Heb. 2: 5-9). Here in Rev. 1: John
beholds the glorified Son of man, the King Priest after the Order of Melchisedec. The
result of this glorious vision upon John was that he fell at His feet as one dead.
Let us rejoice as we think of the high glory that awaits the King of kings, and Lord of
lords, and let us not hesitate to render to Him His due.
The Victor of Death. The Prophetic Pledge. (Rev. 1: 17-20).
(Special note on the interpretation of verse 19).
pp. 65-69
It may be of service to repeat a portion of the structure of this chapter, which is given
in full in Volume 4: & 5:, page 107. The portion we give shows the parallel of
verses 17, 18 and 5, 6.
B | a | 5-. Christ the first begotten from the dead.
b | -5, 6. Result of that death. Redemption.
C | c | 7. His coming. Effect on tribes when they see Him.
d | 8. Title. Alpha and Omega. I AM.
C | c | -17-. His glory. Effect upon John when He saw Him.
d | -17. Title. First and Last. I AM.
B | a | 18-. Christ. I am He that liveth and was dead.
b | -18. Result of that death. Power.