Judge: Robb Moser
Genesis to Revelation Bible Blogs
Revelation 1:14-15 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
John describes Jesus as having hair like white wool and snow. The prophet Daniel wrote that he saw the Ancient of Days, describing Him as having hair that resembled wool (Daniel 7:9). Seen as having such a resemblance to God the Father, Jesus is eternal. His white hair suggests He is wise, experienced, dignified, authoritative, pure, and glorious.
John writes that Jesus' eyes were like a flame of fire. Nothing is hidden from His sight. As the all-seeing judge, He judges righteously, without partiality. Also, His judgments are pure and right. No one can feign innocence in Jesus' presence and succeed with the hypocrisy (Romans 1:18–20).
As Revelation unfolds, we see that Jesus sentences unbelievers to three series of judgments for their crimes. Those judgments are the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments, and the bowl judgments. Not one sinner can escape those judgments, and no one can rightfully claim He does not deserve to be punished.
John describes Jesus further as having feet like burnished brass refined in a furnace. Likely, the reference is to brass that has turned white in the process of burning. The word for "burnished brass" is unique, and seems to only occur in the book of Revelation in all of ancient Greek literature (Revelation 2:18).
It appears to be a compound of the Greek words for metals such as brass, and bronze, and the Greek term for frankincense, probably a reference to its whiteness. This makes sense of John's explanation that the appearance was like something glowing in a furnace.
The bronze altar in the temple was used for making sacrifices for sin and for expressing in fire God's judgment on sin. Jesus suffered on the cross to take upon Himself God's judgment for our sin. First Corinthians 15:3 states plainly that Christ died for our sins. He alone is worthy to execute judgment on all sinners that reject Him.
The apostle Paul told the assembly on Mars Hill that God has "fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). Revelation 20:11–15 describes the final judgment of the wicked of all periods of history. If a person's name is not found in the book of life, he or she is cast into the lake of fire.
John reports that Jesus' voice was like the roar of many waters. Isaiah 42:13 associates a loud voice with that of a warrior shouting aloud as a mighty man against his enemies. So Jesus will show Himself mighty against His foes.