“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire…“
From verse 13 through to verse 16, we have a depiction of the Lord Jesus in His glory. John uses the word “like” five times and the word “as” four times. These are terms of analogy and symbols. Jesus shows us a full-length portrait of Himself.
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow,
“White” depicts purity and occurs twice for emphasis.
and His eyes like a flame of fire
“Eyes like a flame of fire” indicates penetrating judgment of the church (Re 2:18, 23).
“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward” (cf. Proverbs 20:8) (1 Corinthians 3:12-14).
Principle:
We can hide nothing from Jesus–why try?
Application:
When it comes to His church, Jesus calls a spade a spade. He is not afraid to step on the toes of the church when it goes astray.
Jesus judges with purity and righteousness, not temper. None of us can escape the scrutiny of His perspicacity. He will expose sin with the x-ray of His omniscience. He will search us out and expose our sin for what it is.
