(9) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Yeshua the Messiah, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of G_D, and for the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah. (10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamon, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) 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. (14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (20) the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches. (Revelations 1:9–20)
In the first portion of verse ten the author finds it quite interesting John would indicate he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day! It would seem apparent this is pertinent in some way to either John or this specific revelation. As such it would behoove us to take a closer look at this mention of the Lord’s Day.
Although the first inclination might be to accept as true the common Christian tradition, which contends this “Lord’s Day” is a reference to Sunday; the reader should cast away any such thoughts. Without going into a significant review the reader should understand the Shabbat ordained by G_D, as previously detailed, falls on the seventh day or Saturday. Generally speaking there is no Scriptural basis for modifying the Shabbat at all, and historically there is evidence to indicate John would have been celebrating Shabbat on the seventh day: Saturday.
When considering the importance of G_D’s eternal Shabbat and the purpose of Shabbat being human rest and introspection within G_D, it certainly would make sense that John would be prone to being in the Spirit on this hallowed day as a combined function of John’s obedience to G_D and of course blessings from G_D.
The primary question however is: why didn’t John just say: “in the Spirit on G_D’s sacred Shabbat?” This most certainly would have been a clearer indication of the day if this was John’s intent. On the other hand it could simply be John’s way of paying tribute to Yeshua, who as Matthew 12:8 declares, is indeed “Lord of the Shabbat!”
The author is convinced this passage is one of those declarations within Scripture which carries multiple meanings. The author does not doubt for one moment the implication is that the day of the vision falls on the eternal Shabbat ordained by G_D. The author also sees within the passage another meaning, a less obvious meaning!
When we view the “Lord’s Day” passage it can just as easily be viewed in terms of “the day of the Lord.” Instead of looking at this passage simply in terms of Shabbat could it be possible John was in the Spirit actually on “the day of the Lord?” Perhaps John was not referring to the day or time of his physical existence but rather to the “day of the Lord’s coming” which Revelations depicts!
Previously during the synthesis of John the Apostle, the author broached the issue of the prophetic declaration by Yeshua where he declared the contemporary generation would not pass without seeing his return. During the topical discourse it was implied John’s visions very well could have satisfied this prophecy. With this in mind then we might better explain John’s phraseology. John very well might have been present in Spirit at the Lord’s coming. The author means present not in a psychic or pre-cognitive way as previously implied but rather in a very real and very temporal manner. A spiritual presence which only G_D could provide!
The author believes the second portion of verse ten and all of verse eleven need to be viewed together and are of great significance to the Church of Messiah. Essentially we have John hearing the trumpeting blast that is the voice declaring this is a message from G_D and what will be relayed must be recorded and sent to the seven Churches of Asia. So one may ask: “what is so significant about these passages?”
The reader will recall previous discourse materials concerning the sacred Festival Season of G_D. Furthermore of the seven ordained Festivals, Messiah has clearly filled up four of them: 1) Passover/Pesach; 2) Unleavened Bread/Chag HaMatzot; 3) First Fruits/Yom Habikkurim and 4) Pentecost/Shavu’ot.
Conversely we are left awaiting fulfillment by Yeshua of the remaining three later season Festivals: 5) Trumpets/Yom Teru’ah, 6) Atonement/Yom Kippur and 7) Tabernacles/Sukkot.
It would seem logical to presume this trumpeting declaration represents the completion of the 5th Holy Festival of G_D, Yom Teru’ah or The Festival of Trumpets. As the reader will recall this Festival is the call to repentance and preparation for judgment in the wake of the awesome Day of the Lord!
As previously indicated there has been conjecture by other commentators that the actual fulfillment of this Festival by Yeshua will take place when the rapture of the true believers occurs. A detailed review of “the rapture” is not a main purpose of this work and would warrant an individual work but for those readers not very familiar with this position, it is a belief that true believers in Yeshua will be spirited off of the Earth prior to the horrible tribulation of the end times.
The author however does not agree with this concept of a pre-tribulation rapture and there are numerous scriptures to support the fact that true believers will be on the earth and suffer persecution during the tribulation.
In any event it would appear that this Festival has been completed to some extent in Yeshua the Messiah with the gift of this revelation to John. But more so it appears from the patterns within Scripture that this Festival will be completed in full upon Messiah's return to set up the Earthly Kingdom and usher in the millennial reign. There should be no doubt that all of G_D’s Festivals will be completed and perfected in Yeshua the Messiah as part of G_D’s great plan for humanity. In this announcement bellowed to John we see a clear connection between Yeshua and the blare of the trumpet and there can be no doubt at all that Revelations is representative of the final days. Consequently Messiah’s trumpeting to John is declaring that the reign of the King is fast approaching and all souls need to prepare. Messiah’s Church needs to prepare!
When viewed in the context of the Church messages representing the historical and spiritual path that Messiah’s Church will take during its journey, it becomes clear Yeshua is not only issuing the call to repentance to his Church but also intending to use these Church messages to define exactly why repentance is necessary. From this perspective we see no ambiguous fulfillment of the Festival of Trumpets by Yeshua. From this perspective we see a clear and concise call to repentance directed specifically to the body of believers in Yeshua the Messiah.
Still further when these passages are considered with the “day of the Lord” perspective there is perfect continuity with the other Festival which is directly connected with Yom Teru’ah and that of course is the Festival of Yom Kippur or Atonement. As previously detailed we will see the fulfillment of Atonement/Yom Kippur by Yeshua at the White Throne Judgment.
Although this work only deals in detail with the first three chapters of Revelations the author would be remiss if complete fulfillment of the Holy Festival Cycle through Yeshua was not exposed. We see in Revelations the completion of the last Festival, Tabernacles/Sukkot. Revelations states: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from G_D out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of G_D is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and G_D himself shall be with them, and be their G_D. And G_D shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. (Revelations 21:1–5)
When Revelations is viewed within the proper Hebraic context, we can easily discern the completion and perfection of G_D’s Festival cycle within Messiah. It should be understood that within a traditional Christian/Gentile context however these passages just do not resonate with the same truth or meaning and consequently their significance quite frankly cannot be recognized or appreciated. How could it be otherwise in as much that Christianity essentially fails to even celebrate G_D’s scripturally ordained Festivals?
The Son of Man vision in essence sets the stage for introspection into the completion by Yeshua the Messiah of the Biblical Festival Cycle if one simply looks past the surface in the least bit. Undoubtedly these last three festivals are end times related. Undoubtedly these last three festivals will be fulfilled and perfected by Yeshua the Messiah. Undoubtedly G_D would provide information relative to the fulfillment of these last three festivals within Revelations.
The conclusion of verse eleven has John being instructed to record what he sees and send it unto the seven Churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Verses twelve through eighteen describe the vision which John saw.
Please refer to the following graphic herein which will be used to further discuss in detail this vision. (Note: Image source is unknown)
Fortunately we are told in verse twenty that the seven gold candlesticks represent the seven Churches while the stars represent the seven angels of the Churches. Because this element of the vision provides a perfect segue into the messages to the Churches this will be covered at the end of this discourse on John’s vision of Yeshua the Messiah.
From a general commentary perspective we should view the astounding and glorious appearance of Yeshua, as described by John, as clearly implying the deified and awesome nature of Yeshua the Messiah. We know from Scripture that G_D has given unto Yeshua all things relative to man and as such is indeed one with G_D. This last declaration is of course obvious from a belief perspective but from an interpretation perspective really does not provide much assistance with analysis of the individual Church messages. For additional contextual support we must pursue a more detailed approach which mandates review of Messiah’s appearance within the vision to see if there are specific meanings hidden therein. More specifically we should look at the following visionary references: “golden girdle,” “head and hair being white as snow,” “feet refined like fine brass,” “eyes aflame,” “voice sounding as many waters,” “two-edged sword coming from his mouth,” “his countenance being as the sun” and “He has the keys of hell and death!” …
Is it any wonder why John fell at his feet as though he were dead?
When reviewing these passages in a symbolic context the author has segmented these various references to Yeshua into three distinct groupings. The first group is classified as the “Righteous Messiah” references. The second group is classified as the “Judge Messiah” references, and the third group is classified as the “Lord Messiah” references. The rationale behind these categorizations will become apparent upon review of the specific vision components.
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Yeshua wearing a golden girdle
When reviewing Scripture it must be noted that “girdle” appears numerous times, most often however in reference to priests, kings and prophets. We also see in Scripture where gold is valued and prized just as it has and always will be.
Specific scriptural references applicable to this passage the author has excerpted are as follows:
Leviticus states: He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with the linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired; they are the holy garments; and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and put them on. (Leviticus 16:4)
Jeremiah states: Thus said the Lord unto me: “Go, and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.” So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it upon my loins. . . . . . For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord, that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; but they would not hearken. (Jeremiah 13:1–11)
Isaiah states: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the land; and he shall smite the land with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isaiah 11:4–5)
Isaiah 22:21 states: “And I will clothe him with thy robe, and bind him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.”
The reader is certainly encouraged to review on their own additional Scriptural references pertaining to this allusion but should note as mentioned the use of the term girdle consistently emerges when dealing with priests, royalty and prophets. One should not dismiss this reference as benign or simply descriptive. We should clearly recognize the symbolism of Yeshua’s “golden girdle:”
Yeshua is above Priests and in fact is the new and everlasting High Priest;
Yeshua is above Kings and all the nations of the Earth have been given to him by G_D as his inheritance;
Yeshua is above Prophets and it was through Yeshua himself that G_D provided the Hebrew oracles with their words. This is why Revelations 19:10 declares that the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy!
As The Messiah or “the anointed one,” which of course traditionally describes priests, kings and prophets, we see Yeshua as being the perfect embodiment of all three; hence the spectacular golden girdle.
Yeshua's head and hair being white as snow
We see from Scripture where white predominantly symbolizes both the presence of G_D and purity. Specific Scriptural references the author would like to excerpt and look at are as follows:
Exodus says, And the Lord said unto Moses: “Put forth thy hand, and take it by the tail—and he put forth his hand, and laid hold of it, and it became a rod in his hand—that they may believe that the Lord, the G_D of their fathers,” . . . And the Lord said furthermore unto him: “Put now thy hand into thy bosom.” And he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. (Exodus 4:4–6)
Isaiah says: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken. (Isaiah 1:18–20)
Psalms states: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow . . . Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create me a clean heart, O G_D; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 51:9–12)
Daniel 7:9 states: “I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was as white snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.”
It would seem apparent the vision is declarative of Yeshua’s oneness with G_D as well as Yeshua’s purity and sinless adherence to G_D’s statutes and laws. The allusion to Yeshua as the spotless one who cleanses sins should certainly not be missed.
Yeshua's feet refined like fine brass
Within Scriptures the predominant symbolism of refining and forging is representative of cleansing and purification. Specific Scriptural references the author would like to excerpt and look at are as follows:
Isaiah says: “Behold, I have refined thee, but not as silver; I have tried thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, for mine own sake, will I do it; for how should it be profaned? And my glory will I not give to another” (Isaiah 48:10–11).
Zechariah 13:9 states: “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will answer them; I will say: ‘It is my people,’ and they shall say: ‘The Lord is my G_D.’”
Malachi says: But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap; And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver; and there shall be they that shall offer unto the Lord offerings in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers; and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:2–3:5)
The obvious allusion of these passages with respects to Yeshua is that through his love, obedience, passion and suffering he established perfect righteousness in the furnace of tribulation. Through the Holy Spirit can the tabernacle of the individual be cleansed and purified through steadfast obedience to G_D.
Collectively we see within these three visionary references the allusion to Yeshua the Messiah as the Righteous One of G_D. We see Yeshua refined to perfection: spotless and unblemished. We see Yeshua worthy before G_D to receive his rightful judgment as the perfect priest, king and prophet!
The reader should readily discern that these allusions are pertinent to the saving work of Yeshua the Messiah. These allusions point us directly to the perfect love that Yeshua has for us. He literally gave everything he had for our benefit out of love. Yeshua was and is and will be forever the perfect intercessor and righteous one.
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Yeshua's eyes like flaming fire!
Yeshua’s “eyes being like flaming fire” reference. When Scripture is reviewed flames are most often associated with the sacrificial offerings and of course destruction or recompense. Specific Scriptural references the author would like to excerpt and look at are as follows.
Isaiah 5:24 says: Therefore as the tongue of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the chaff is consumed in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and contemned the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah says: Therefore will the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire. And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame; and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day. And the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, he will consume both soul and body; and it shall be as when a sick man wasteth away. And the remnant of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them down. (Isaiah 10:16–19)
Ezekiel says: And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying: “Son of man, set thy face toward the South, and preach toward the South, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South; and say to the forest of the South: Hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord G_D: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree, it shall not be quenched, even a flaming flame; and all faces from the south to the north shall be seared thereby. And all flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.” (Ezekiel 21:1–4)
Matthew states: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance [the Immerser]: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11–12)
Although these excerpts are only representative of Scriptural references on the matter, the reader should not fail to recognize the emergent relationship between burning, sinfulness and judgment. The allusion is quite evident and unmistakable especially in light of the fact it is Yeshua’s eyes that see all the things people do—even in their secret places and in the dark.
Yeshua's voice sounding as many waters
Although the first impression might be to simply think in terms of massive acoustical resonance or sheer power … as in the very voice of creation, when Scripture is reviewed relative to “many waters” we also see the emergence of punishment and references to all the nations of the Earth.
Numbers says: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! As valleys stretched out, as gardens by the river-side; as aloes planted of the Lord, as cedars beside the waters; Water shall flow from his branches, and his seed shall be in many waters; and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. G_D who brought him forth out of Egypt is for him like the lofty horns of the wild-ox; he shall eat up the nations that are his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? Blessed be every one that blesseth thee, and cursed be every one that curseth thee. (Numbers 24:5–9)
Isaiah says: Ah, the uproar of many peoples, that roar like the roaring of the seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters! The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters; but he shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like the whirling dust before the storm. At eventide behold terror; and before the morning they are not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us. (Isaiah 17:12–14)
Jeremiah spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon: O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, the measure of thy covetousness. The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself: Surely I will fill thee with men, as with the canker-worm, and they shall lift up a shout against thee. . . . At the sound of his giving a multitude of waters in the heavens, he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings at the time of the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries; Every man is proved to be brutish, for the knowledge—every goldsmith is put to shame by the graven image—that his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, a work of delusion; in the time of their visitation they shall perish, the portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things, and [Israel] is the tribe of his inheritance; the Lord of hosts is his name. (Jeremiah 51:13–19)
Jeremiah says: Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will do judgment upon her graven images; and through all her land the wounded shall groan. Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord. Hark! A cry from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans! For the Lord spoileth Babylon, and destroyeth out of her the great voice; and their waves roar like many waters, the noise of their voice is uttered; For the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, their bows are shattered; for the Lord is a G_D of recompenses, he will surely requite. (Jeremiah 51:52–56)
Ezekiel 43:2 says: “behold, the glory of the G_D of Israel came from the way of the east; and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth did shine with his glory.”
Collectively what we can discern from these and other passages in Scripture is that the voice of Yeshua sounding as many waters is in effect a frightening and threatening prospect. We see clear indications that the sound of Messiah’s voice as many waters is not a good thing; indeed the opposite is true, and the bellowing of Messiah’s voice is quite ominous indeed. Furthermore we see allusions wherein many waters are also representative of the nations or all peoples of the Earth. Essentially we see where the raging voice of the Lord will overcome and drown out the raging noise of the nations!
Yeshua having a two-edged sword coming from his mouth
As anticipated upon a review of Scripture, references to swords are indicative of fighting and most often associated with judgment.
Leviticus says: And if in spite of these things ye will not be corrected unto me, but will walk contrary unto me; then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you that shall execute the vengeance of the covenant. (Leviticus 26:23–25)
Deuteronomy says: And it is said: Where are their gods, the rock in whom they trusted; who did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink-offering? Let him rise up and help you, let him be your protection. See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no G_D with me; I kill, and I make alive; I have wounded, and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say: As I live forever, If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine adversaries, and will recompense them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:37–41)
Matthew says: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:32–34)
There should be no doubt at all the allusion of the two-edged sword of Yeshua the Messiah is the recompense of G_D for disobedience and sin. We should also not lose sight that the sword emanating from Messiah’s mouth is clearly indicative of his Words and truthfulness as being his weapon.
Yeshua warned people to do what he said, follow the Torah of G_D; it would seem then judgment will also be by Yeshua’s Word. It would seem that Messiah’s judgment and authority is every word that proceeds out of the mouth of G_D and this would of course include Holy Scripture.
When these multiple “Yeshua as Judge” references are viewed collectively it must be admitted the traditional view of Yeshua as the master of love and peace is undoubtedly only a part of the picture. What we see in the end times is Messiah, as the Right Arm of G_D, exacting justice and recompense upon the unholy and sinful population of the world. We see the glorious Day of the Lord is indeed a most dreadful day of woe and wrath and destruction.
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Yeshua's countenance being as the sun
Psalms says: For not by their own sword did they get the land in possession, neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of thy co