1:12,13
The lampstands represent the seven churches. Lampstands appear on a few occasions in the Old Testament (1 Kings 7:49; 1 Chron 28:15; 2 Chron 4:7,20) and were a recognised Jewish symbol. “And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man ..”. This is an allusion to Daniel 7:13. The whole of Daniel chapter 7 is relevant here. For it speaks of four beasts ruling and being defeated, and war being raged against the people of God, but the ultimate victory belongs to God. This is very similar to the message of Revelation. In Daniel the one like a son of man comes upon the clouds, is given all power and authority, and his kingdom never ends. God’s people were and are going through this sort of situation. Facing great opposition, with seemingly powerful forces, but we need to know that Christ is the king of kings and lord of lords.
A commentary said the focus is not on the church (with reference to the lampstands) but to the one “like a son of man”, ie on Christ. Half of this statement is true, but half is not. It is absolutely true that the focus must be on Christ, but the church does not matter. We often say “it’s not about me, it’s all about Christ”. There is, of course, much truth in this, but it might be more accurate to say it is “all about Christ in me”. God has put man at the centre of His plans. Now this is man made in the image of God, under the authority of God. Since Eden we have put ourselves at the centre of our plans, not under the authority of God, and the results are all too obvious. Christ came and lived a perfect life under the authority of the Father, and He is the man who exercised more authority than anyone else who has ever walked on this planet. Under Christ (in Christ?) we actually are extremely important. We need to realise that Christ is among us, as He was among the seven lampstands, and we need to be live under His care and under His authority.
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