Revelation 1:15

Letters to the Faithful - Revelation 1:15

Berean Standard Bible

His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

King James Bible

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Greek Text:

καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ ὡς ἐν καμίνῳ πεπυρωμένης, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ ὡς φωνὴ ὑδάτων πολλῶν.

Transliteration:

kai hoi podes autou homoioi chalkolibanō hōs en kaminō pepyrōmenēs, kai hē phōnē autou hōs phōnē hydatōn pollōn.

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His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace

This imagery of feet like polished bronze suggests strength, stability, and purity. In biblical times, bronze was a symbol of judgment and endurance, often used in the construction of altars and temple furnishings (Exodus 27:1-6). The refining process in a furnace indicates purification and perfection, suggesting that Christ's judgment is both pure and righteous. This description connects to Daniel 10:6, where a similar vision of a heavenly being is described, emphasizing the divine nature and authority of Christ. The polished bronze also reflects the glory and majesty of Jesus, who stands firm and unmovable, symbolizing His eternal and unchanging nature.

and His voice was like the roar of many waters

The comparison of Christ's voice to the roar of many waters conveys power, authority, and majesty. This imagery is reminiscent of Ezekiel 43:2, where the glory of God is described with a voice like the sound of many waters, indicating divine presence and overwhelming authority. The sound of many waters can be both awe-inspiring and fearsome, suggesting that Christ's words carry immense power and command attention. This also reflects the idea that His voice is heard throughout the earth, reaching all nations and peoples, much like the sound of a mighty waterfall or ocean waves. The imagery underscores the authority of Christ's message and His role as the ultimate judge and ruler.

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To all the saints who are in Christ Jesus, both near and far, to those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, grace and peace be unto you from Him who is, who was, and who is to come. I write to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. May the Lord strengthen your hearts with the truth of His Word and open your eyes to behold His glory more fully.

Brethren, consider what the Spirit revealed to the Apostle John as he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. In the vision granted to him from heaven, he beheld the risen and glorified Christ, standing in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, clothed in majesty and glory, not as the suffering servant who walked the dusty roads of Galilee, but as the conquering Lord, exalted and shining with unapproachable brilliance. Among the many wonders John recorded, he wrote these words of awe and certainty: “His feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.”

This revelation is not meant for the past alone; it speaks now to the Church in this present age. It calls us to a higher view of Christ—not a man limited by flesh, not merely a teacher of noble words, but the Son of God, risen in power, whose glory exceeds our comprehension, and whose authority rules the heavens and the earth. His feet like fine brass speak of strength, stability, and holiness—feet that have walked the path of suffering and now stand in unshakable judgment and purity. As brass refined in the furnace, His walk is without blemish, His rule is without flaw, and His kingdom is uncorrupted. He does not stand in the dust of earthly uncertainty but in the blaze of divine holiness and truth. He will not falter, nor will He be moved.

And His voice, John writes, is as the sound of many waters. What can compare to it? It is the voice that spoke creation into being. It is the voice that thundered at Sinai and whispered at Horeb. It is the voice that calmed storms and summoned the dead from tombs. It is the voice that speaks with infinite authority and unmistakable clarity. It is not the shallow voice of men that fades with time or is silenced by opposition. His is the voice that drowns out every lie, every accusation, every deception of the enemy. When He speaks, there is no confusion. His Word breaks chains, opens eyes, and pierces the heart. Let the Church not only hear His voice but tremble before it, submit to it, and proclaim it without fear.

In a world filled with uncertainty and voices that contradict, we must fix our ears and our hearts on the One whose voice is like many waters. His voice is not divided. It is not confused. It is not subject to change. The same voice that called John is calling us today—to purity, to holiness, to unwavering faith, and to a bold witness of the risen Christ. Let not your heart grow dull to His Word. Let not your spirit be deafened by the noise of this age. For the Lord still walks among the lampstands, examining His Church, speaking to His people, and preparing them for the day of His appearing.

We must never forget that this exalted vision of Christ is not symbolic fiction nor poetic language. It is the reality of who Jesus is now—glorious, sovereign, and returning. His feet like burning brass are a warning to the ungodly and a comfort to the righteous. For the wicked, they speak of coming judgment, a fire no flesh can endure. For the faithful, they assure us that our Lord is firm and mighty to save, never wavering in His covenant. He is not shaken by the storms of this world, nor hindered by the rise and fall of kingdoms. His reign is eternal, His dominion secure.

Let all who name the name of Christ remember to walk in the light of this revelation. Let no one imagine that Christ is passive or distant. He sees, He knows, He judges, and He reigns. His voice is calling His Church to repent where there is sin, to return where there has been drifting, and to endure where there is suffering. He does not change, and His Word does not fail.

Therefore, beloved brethren, let us live in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of His promises. Let us cast off the works of darkness and walk in the armor of light. Let us not be entangled in the things of this passing world, but fix our hope fully on the grace to be revealed at His coming. Let our worship reflect His majesty. Let our preaching exalt His name. Let our fellowship be holy. Let our hearts be set ablaze with love and reverence for the One who stands with feet of burning brass and speaks with the voice of many waters.

May the Lord grant you ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to obey. And may you be found blameless in the day of Christ, ready to stand before Him whose feet shall soon touch the Mount of Olives, and whose voice will silence every other.

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Almighty and Everlasting God,

Father of glory and Lord of all creation, we come before You with reverence and holy fear, acknowledging Your majesty, Your justice, and Your mercy. We exalt You, for You alone are holy, and Your judgments are true and righteous altogether. We bow before You in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, who was dead and is alive forevermore, and who now reigns in glory with power and dominion, seated at Your right hand until every enemy is made His footstool.

We thank You, Lord, for the revelation You gave to Your servant John, who beheld the glory of the risen Christ and recorded what he saw by the Spirit. We remember with trembling the description You gave of our Lord, that His feet were like fine brass as though they burned in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. We praise You for this vision of truth, not as man imagines Christ to be, but as He truly is—exalted, holy, pure, and awesome in power. We worship You for revealing to us not only the Lamb who was slain, but the King who reigns with unshakable authority and glory that no darkness can withstand.

Lord, we ask that You would impress this truth deeply upon our hearts. Let us not approach You casually or irreverently. Let us not reduce Christ in our minds to a figure of history or a symbol of gentleness only. Let us see Him as He is—whose feet burn with judgment, whose walk is pure and refined, who stands in righteousness and cannot be moved. Teach us to walk with holy fear before You, knowing that You are a consuming fire. Conform our lives to the likeness of Christ. Let His holiness be our desire, His walk our pattern, His strength our refuge.

We also ask that we would never become deaf to the voice of our Lord. For His voice is as the sound of many waters, mighty and full of majesty, undeniable in its presence, and commanding in its power. Let Your voice, O God, drown out every other voice that seeks to distract, deceive, or destroy. Speak into our lives with clarity and conviction. Silence the voice of fear, the lies of the enemy, and the noise of this world. Let Your voice bring peace to our storms, light to our darkness, and life to our weary souls.

Father, teach us to listen. Give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Let us not harden our hearts or grow dull to the call of righteousness. Let the voice of Christ guide our steps, correct our paths, and direct our mission. May His voice call sinners to repentance, awaken the slumbering, strengthen the saints, and prepare a people for His return.

We ask for clean hands and pure hearts, that we may walk worthy of the One who walks in holiness. Burn away every impurity in us, refine our faith like precious metal in the furnace, and make us vessels fit for Your use. Let the fire that burns in the feet of Christ also purify our desires and ignite our obedience. May we follow in His footsteps with joy and with endurance, knowing that He has gone before us in suffering and now leads us in triumph.

Lord Jesus, speak again to Your Church. Speak to every heart, every home, every congregation. Let Your voice go forth like the sound of many waters, overwhelming and unmistakable. Let it call forth repentance where there is compromise. Let it call forth courage where there is fear. Let it call forth holiness where there is apathy. Let it call forth worship that honors You as You truly are—glorious, radiant, and full of power.

Father, we await the day when every eye shall see Him, and every knee shall bow. Until that day, may we live in light of this vision—Christ, exalted, glorious, whose feet are like brass, whose voice cannot be silenced. Prepare us, purify us, and empower us to be faithful witnesses. Let our lives proclaim not only the mercy of the cross but also the majesty of the risen King.

We pray all these things in the matchless name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.