"One like a son of man"

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

Revelation 1:12,13 ESV

In these verses the vision begins, John turns to see where the voice is coming from and he sees the golden lampstands and right in the middle of them is one that looks “like” a son of man. Like, is a very important word to keep in mind as we study the revelation. It is used frequently throughout the book. We must keep this in mind so we do not take everything we read about too literally. The book of revelation is writtenusing apocalyptic  language. Apocalyptic language was used commonly in eastern literature to draw attention to the significance of a subject being discussed. We must keep this in mind as we study.

The next part of the vision is that the one that looks like a son of man is dressed in a long robe  with a gold sash around his chest. Jesus referred to Himself as the son of man quite frequently and when the vision shows us one “like” a son of man wearing a long robe with a golden sash it shows the significance of the one wearing it. The gold sash denotes royalty. He is also standing in the middle of the lampstands, which shows he is the center of everything  around Him.

As we look at the next several verses we will see the word “like” used frequently to describe in terms that we can understand what John was seeing. Like, is used almost like a parable to help us grasp what is being revealed, in terms that everyone can understand. So, even as confusing as the book of revelation can be it, its not meant to confuse but to inform.

The revelation that was given to John was  something that could be understood and applied to those Jesus was communicating with. One thing that may play into the kind of language being used when we think about it is that, it was going to be written down and sent out from a Roman prison colony. Disguising the message with apocalyptic language may have helped to transmit the written word without the Romans catching on to it.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman

From the hand of God

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him  who can eat or who can have enjoyment?

Ecclesiastes 2:24,25 ESV

The book of Ecclesiastes is full of great wisdom concerning this life and all that we as humans endure in a lifetime. Solomon tells us that he has examined all that there is in life and outside of God all of this is meaningless. When one thinks about it his statements are so true. Our lives, if not for God in them is like chasing after the wind.

Chasing the wind is an exercise in futility, the wind cannot be caught. I tend to think of our lives without God like a dog chasing it’s tail. When a dog chases its tail it just continues going round and round until it tires of the game or actually bites its own tail and suffers the pain of its senseless game. That is how it is for us if we don’t allow room for God in our lives.

We must find contentment in our lives. As Solomon  says in verses 24, we must find enjoyment in our toil. So how are we to find contentment in this life of toils. We find it in God, we find it through Christ. We need to be like the Apostle Paul as he said Philippians chapter 4, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” ESV

Paul has discovered what Solomon was talking about in verse 25. He understood that God is the provider and if we trust in Him we can be content in all circumstances. All that we have in this life is God provided. If we think all that we have and are is because of what we have achieved then we are missing the most important fact of all. God created this world, He has created us and He gave us whatever abilities we have, all that  we achieve is through Him.

So today, let’s realize apart from God’s gifts we would have nothing.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman