Hello Edith. Revelation 1:16 is but one verse within the whole Book of the Revelation given to the Apostle John, to record what he sees ( Revelation 1:19). And what the risen Lord Jesus revealed to him in this verse was a part of how Jesus appeared to him (vv 13-16).
In verse 16, John saw seven stars in Jesus' right Hand. We understand that these stars represented the angels (possibly, the leaders) of the seven Churches (the golden candlesticks) in Asia Minor (Turkey): v 20. These were real assemblies of believers in those seven cities & were precious to the Lord, as is indicated by His position amongst them & having them close to Him (in His right Hand). Yet, as we read in the following chapters, not all of them were pure in His Sight & they would be judged & disciplined. Yet the Lord would persevere with them (as He does with us when we go astray) as He also did with Israel, when the promise was given them, "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." ( Isaiah 62:3).
John also saw a sharp two-edged sword proceeding from Jesus' Mouth. This is the primary weapon that Jesus uses to subdue His enemies (maybe at that great final battle). We know that the sword is often used to denote the Word of God ( Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:13). And God's Word is Truth - it is pure, it cuts & divides, it converts, it blesses. No enemy, both now & in that final day, will be able to withstand God's Truth. Where they once rejected it, even rejecting God's Word made flesh, they will feel the keenness of the 'blade' & will fall, succumbing to the power of that Word. Even Satan flees when God's Word is brought to bear upon him.
And Jesus' countenance appeared to John as the midday Sun in its zenith. One can imagine John turning away from such Brightness. As we read in Malachi 4:2, "the Sun of righteousness" arises to heal those who fear Him, but will also burn the chaff into ashes of those who do wickedly.
In verse 16, John saw seven stars in Jesus' right Hand. We understand that these stars represented the angels (possibly, the leaders) of the seven Churches (the golden candlesticks) in Asia Minor (Turkey): v 20. These were real assemblies of believers in those seven cities & were precious to the Lord, as is indicated by His position amongst them & having them close to Him (in His right Hand). Yet, as we read in the following chapters, not all of them were pure in His Sight & they would be judged & disciplined. Yet the Lord would persevere with them (as He does with us when we go astray) as He also did with Israel, when the promise was given them, "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." ( Isaiah 62:3).
John also saw a sharp two-edged sword proceeding from Jesus' Mouth. This is the primary weapon that Jesus uses to subdue His enemies (maybe at that great final battle). We know that the sword is often used to denote the Word of God ( Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 19:13). And God's Word is Truth - it is pure, it cuts & divides, it converts, it blesses. No enemy, both now & in that final day, will be able to withstand God's Truth. Where they once rejected it, even rejecting God's Word made flesh, they will feel the keenness of the 'blade' & will fall, succumbing to the power of that Word. Even Satan flees when God's Word is brought to bear upon him.
And Jesus' countenance appeared to John as the midday Sun in its zenith. One can imagine John turning away from such Brightness. As we read in Malachi 4:2, "the Sun of righteousness" arises to heal those who fear Him, but will also burn the chaff into ashes of those who do wickedly.
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