Glimpses of God - Jesus is the First and the Last

And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. (NASB) Rev. 1:16

Just two verses ahead we are told that these stars are the seven angels or pastors of the seven churches.

As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (NASB) Rev. 1:20

These men are under Jesus’ control. He will judge them or bless them. It depends on them.

Jesus Is Light. And “His face was like the sun shining in its strength. . . .” Rarely do we think of God as shining as light. Isaiah the prophet describes our God as light when he talks about heaven.

No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor for brightness will the moon give you light; but you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory. Your sun will set no more, neither will your moon wane; for you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be finished. (NASB) Isa. 60:19

Revelation 21:22-23 says the same thing. God will light up heaven. There will be no need for stars or the sun. And when Jesus was here on the earth He appeared as light for a brief time.

And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. (NASB) Matt. 17:2

I wonder if that is why He made the stars? Scripture says the heavens speak of the glory of God. God must be beautiful. He shines as light. And Rev. 1:16 says that Jesus' "face was like the sun."

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (NASB) Rev. 1:17-18

John's friend did not look like the One he knew on earth. This meeting was different. It was not the meeting of two humans, but of a man and his glorified Friend - his God.

Conclusion. A kindergarten teacher told her students to draw a picture of something that was important to them. In the back of the room was Johnny. He was working hard even though everyone else had finished. So the teacher walked back to see what he was drawing. “What are you drawing?” asked the teacher. “God!” Johnny said. The teacher responded, “But no one knows what God looks like.” “Johnny answered, “They will when I am done!”

That is what the Apostle John did for us. He drew us word pictures of our God. God is holy, just, all powerful, and glorious! In His glory He shines as light!