Studies in Revelation: Visions of Jesus

When you get to heaven and see Jesus, what will he look like? There are two visions of Jesus that John sees, one on earth and one in heaven. Neither one, I propose, is what Jesus normally looks like.

¹² I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:12-16, NIV)

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6, NIV)

Jesus takes on certain unusual features in these visions to communicate something critical to his role in God’s climax of history. In the first vision, Jesus’ appearance highlights his role as Judge. The white hair, blazing eyes, glowing bronze feet, and sharp sword coming out of his mouth all dramatically point to judgment. In the second vision, Jesus’ appearance as a lamb that had been slain highlights Jesus’ role as sacrifice for sin.

Of course, Jesus cannot look like both, and it would be a mistake to assume he permanently looks like either. These are visions, not reality. We should expect that when we see Jesus he will look just like he did when he appeared after his resurrection to his disciples in the upper room. He will look like he did to them before his crucifixion and resurrection except for the scars on his hands and his feet.