THE GLORIOUS SON OF MAN

Shelby G. Floyd

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1 NKJV). This “Revelation of Jesus Christ” came to us through several steps.

1. God gave the Revelation to Jesus Christ;
2. Jesus sent and signified it by his angel;
3. The angel gave it to his servant John; and,
4. John gave it to the servants of Christ.

Beatitude

John gave the servants of Christ a beatitude in the opening words of the Revelation. God’s servants are blessed when they do three things in regard to this prophecy:

*Blessed is he who READS;
*And those who HEAR the words of this prophecy;
*Who also KEEP those things which are written in it (Revelation 1:3).

Plan of Interpretation

When were the things revealed in Revelation to take place? The Preterist view thinks that most was completed before AD 70. Most will be completed in the future says the Futurist. These events will soon take place and continue until the end of time says the Historical!

The book itself gives us the clue:

“For the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).
“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” Revelation 1:19).
“…Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” (Rev. 4:1).

The Time Elements

What were the time elements concerning the things John was to write down?

 The things which you have seen—past tense.

 And the things which are—present tense.

 Also the things which will take place after this—future tense.

Therefore, the correct view of interpretation is to differentiate between what has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future.

The Glorious Christ

John heard a loud voice behind him like a trumpet. When he turned to see the voice, instead he saw the glorified Son of Man. The picture to the right specifies how glorious was the Son of God who was like the Son of Man!

He gloriously described the glorified Son of Man: “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 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. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 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 (Revelation 1:12-16 NKJV). Take notice of His different features:

 Clothed with a garment down to the feet;

 Girded about the chest with a golden band;

 His voice had the sound of many waters;

 The same right hand held seven stars;

 A sharp two-edged sword went out of his mouth;

 And His countenance was like the sun in its strength.

The Son of Man!

In the gospel narratives Jesus often described himself as “the Son of Man!” He once said He would reign with power at the right hand of the Mighty One and come back on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 26:64). As the Son of Man he set the example to serve and to give his life for a ransom (Mark 10:45). He also prophesied that the Son of Man would be killed and rise in three days (Mark 8:31). And He declared that the Son of Man can forgive sins (Mark 2:10).

And is it any wonder after this revelation John fell at Jesus’s feet like a dead man? Jesus put his right hand on him and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and Death” (Revelation 1:17-18).

Dear friend, all will do the same at the last Day. Why not now? Become a Christian! “The disciples were called Christians at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The Glorious Son of Man is the Glorious Son of God!

Shelby G. Floyd, Minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142

Email: shelby@thefloyds.net