Portrait of Jesus
I have been reading my Bible through chronologically and this morning I started reading Revelations. It starts by saying in Rev. 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads this prophecy aloud.” So I decided to read it out loud! In verses 12 – 16 it paints a portrait of what Jesus looks like now that he is in heaven. As I read it aloud I was overcome with emotion and tears spilled down my cheeks. It was true, I was blessed by it! If you are in a position to read these scriptures aloud, I hope you will.
Revelation 1:8, 12-16 vs.8 “I am the alpha and omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come. The Almighty. vs.12-16 “Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands and in the midst of the lampstands, one like the son of man, clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Isn’t He magnificent? I think most of the time we tend to picture Jesus the way He was on earth, because that’s the time period we have been taught and studied the most. He is so much more! He is the Alpha and Omega. The Almighty. When I picture Him in the way He is described here, it stirs my spirit and strengthens my faith and my courage to withstand the trials of this world.
I think my favorite part is in vs 17-18 “When I saw him, I fell at his feet though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
HALELUJIA!! HE HAS WON!!!! We have nothing to fear! This loving, compassionate Savior, who is my constant friend, is so much more! In verse 20 it tells us that the stars are the angels of the seven churches, and that the lampstands are the churches. Now don’t miss this…He is standing in the midst of them, governing and ministering to them. He also reached down and put His hand on his shoulder and encouraged him not to be afraid and reminded him that He has already won the battle. He holds the keys! Whatever we have to walk through in this life, we can do it in honor of Him, knowing He is The Almighty and He is in the midst of us with His hand on our shoulder, encouraging us to fear not.
This holiday season, as you think of the birth of the Messiah and think of His ministry and sacrifice for us here on this earth, don’t forget to think of Him the way He is now, with eyes like fire and a voice like the roar of many waters, with His hand on our shoulder, encouraging us and reminding us He already has the victory.
Real life. Real faith. 