“And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”
In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force — the right hand (place of power and authority) holds the seven stars (the angels of the churches, verse 20), indicating Christ's direct hold over the church's messengers. The sword from his mouth is his word of judgment (Isaiah 49:2; Hebrews 4:12); his face like the sun in full strength recalls Matthew 17:2 (the Transfiguration) and signifies blazing glory.
Church Fathers on Revelation 1:16
“And in His face was brightness as the sun.” That which He called brightness was the appearance of that in which He spoke to men face to face. But the glory of the sun is less than the glory of the Lord. Doubtless on account of its rising and setting, and rising again, that He was born and suffered and rose again, therefore the Scripture gave this similitude, likening His face to the glory of the sun. “And out of His mouth was issuing a sharp two-edged sword.” By the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!