Revelation 1:12-16 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands; And in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire. His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

What are the seven lampstands?

The seven golden lampstands are the churches in Asia minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The churches that the disciples had started and fostered. They preached and taught the principles of Christianity to the people in these churches. But at this time most of the churches were failing to honor Christ and uphold the tenants they were taught.

The seven lampstands did not produce the light but helped to make the light shine. We as the church are to operate the same way; we are to help shine the light of Jesus to the world. But if the lampstands did not do the job they were intended to do, then they would be sent to the craftsman for repairs. The same is true of the churches represented here. They were not shining God’s light as effectively as they were designed, except for the one church in Smyrna.

Who is this Son of Man?

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day. This is a title that Jesus refers to Himself as multiple times. Here He has a golden girdle, hair white as wool and feet of bronze. The golden girdle speaks of His royal status. The white woolen hair that is as white as snow represents His holiness and the feet of bronze His power.

Notice where He is positioned in these scriptures. He is in the middle of the lampstands, or His churches. Jesus is always present with His people. Good, bad or ugly, He is positioned in such a way to step in with forgiveness and mercy. But the time is drawing near that this position will be one of judgement.

How can He judge us?

Because He is the Creator of all things. He is holy and sinless. He made it possible to be forgiven due to His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. His words are sharper than any two-edged sword which is able to separate marrow from bone. He is worthy of all praise, honor and glory. He is God. This gives Him the right to judge because He sees all and hears all. There is nothing hidden from Him.

But then again, He has made it so easy for us to accept His gift of salvation. He paid the penalty for our sin. For us to be in the place of judgement, then we have to choose that place to be.