We are taken in this powerful passage to read of the vision that John had, when on the isle of Patmos. He was commanded to write in a book the things that he saw. In verse 15 of Revelation 1 we read of Christ's voice being described as being like 'the sound of many waters', also, in verse16, we read that 'out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword'. What may we learn here, how may we understand this strong representation of Christ's voice?
Jesus Christ is 'the Word', when we hear Christ we are hearing God speak through His Son. There is depth in His words; there is weight in His words. His words are always relevant and have direction, especially as He holds forth on the work of Redemption!
The Bible, God's written word, is not like any other piece of literature. It too, is like the 'sound of many waters'. In the perfect original it was reliable and trustworthy, it was accurate and precise. It speaks not only of history; not only the names of kings; not only of geography, but more especially of 'things of the soul'. In it we learn the way of salvation, of things that God needed to tell us. It has authority, but are we willing to receive it? Many times in Psalm 119, the psalmist asks of God - 'teach me thy statutes'; he speaks of thy laws; thy testimonies and thy word.
The 'sharp sword' of verse 16 speaks of Christ's words being able to cut in all directions, that they cut through moral complacency, false teaching or immorality. There is no escape from the sharp sword of Christ's words. However, Christ's voice is a gracious voice, cutting through all our excuses. |
