Revelation Chapter 1, Part 14
Revelation Chapter 1
VERSE 14 “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire.”
HIS HEAD AND HAIR WERE WHITE LIKE WOOL, AS WHITE AS SNOW:
“The Master’s hair is compared to wool to signify his wisdom and likeness unto the “Ancient of days”; he is the express image of his Father’s person (Dan. 7:9). In the early settlement of the United States, it was customary for statesmen to wear white woolen wigs or similar material to designate them as elder statesmen whose veneration, maturity of judgment, and experience qualified them for office. The wigs inspired confidence in and respect for the wisdom and righteousness of their decisions or declarations (Compare Prov 16:31). Even today this custom is observed in many parts of the world. Here such symbolism portrays Jesus with characteristics of knowledge, experience, and wisdom as judge and inspector of the Church, capable of offering wise counsel and judgment. Head “as white as snow” symbolizes not only the Master’s purity of mind and motive, but also his innate ability to use cool, dispassionate reasoning in the exercise of a fair and equitable judgment, in the rendering of a pure verdict.”
AND HIS EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE:
Eyes are wisdom. Fire, among other things, represents righteous judgment. Together we have the wisdom of his judgment —the discernment which burns through the dross, which understands all the contingencies of the happenings of the Gospel Age.
“The Master is omniscient regarding his Church. Not deceived by outward forms or ceremonies, he can and does read every thought and intent of the heart; he can see through hypocrisy. The fiery or electric glance of his X-ray eyes represents penetrating intelligence and the ability to see and know everything pertaining to his Church. This scene is one of comfort because Jesus is looking after the needs of his followers. He also knows their faults.
Christians should desire to have these penetrating eyes reveal their secret faults so that they, in turn, may be cleansed. A strong faith is not fearful of these searching eyes; indeed, faith should surmount fear. Jesus’ eyes are so prominent in this vision that he says in each of the messages to the seven churches, “I know” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). Nothing escapes Jesus’ attention. He knows where his followers are and what they are doing, and he is aware of injustices done to them as well as their own misdeeds. What a Counsellor! Every virtue is inherent in him.”
VERSE 15 “His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.”
HIS FEET WERE LIKE FINE BRASS, AS IF REFINED IN A FURNACE:
“Jesus’ feet have the appearance of brass heated in a furnace until white-hot and glowing. In his previous earthly ministry when he trod the human plane, pictured by the brass feet, Jesus endured the fiery trials of life and of the narrow way in a furnace of affliction, which led eventually to his crucifixion. Thus the Master assures his footstep followers of his ability to console and sympathize with them, since he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” and “acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3; Heb. 4:15).”
“He trod the path as a perfect human (*polished brass), and endured the fiery trials against his righteousness.”
AND HIS VOICE AS THE SOUND OF MANY WATERS: (Compare Rev 17:15.)
Jesus was, through the age, NOT to speak directly to his Church, but by MANY MESSENGERS from many sectors of society. This is IMPORTANT. This is telling us plainly that the Church will be taught by MEN whom Jesus will use as instructors. These will point to the Scriptures as their authority. Romans 10:14, 15.
“Jesus speaks to and through the Church by the written Word of God in the varied languages (tongues) of earth.”
*Polished brass: this would seem more correctly stated as polished copper as copper is a pure metal, and as such is a more perfect symbol of human perfection as noted in the Brazen Altar which typifies the Ransom sacrifice of the perfect man Christ Jesus. Brass on the other hand is a mixed metal.
“Brass occurs in the Authorize Version of the O.T. as the rendering of nechosheth (i.e. the shining), and other kindred forms, but doubtless inaccurately, as brass is a factitious metal and the Hebrews were not acquainted with the compound of copper and zinc known by that name. In most places of the O.T. the correct translation would be copper.” (McClintock & Strong, Cyclopedia, Volume. 1)