Revelation 1:12-20 (con’t)

The next object in this scene is the “sharp, double-edged sword.”  John says it was coming out of the mouth of the son of man that he saw.  Now it is clear that this “son of man” was Jesus himself.  In verse 18  we read, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” – NIV. 

So, are we to suppose that in heaven we will see Jesus walking around with a sword coming out of his mouth all the time?  Well no.  And yes!

First of all, note that the sword is a symbol.  So, in that sense, no, we will not see a sword coming out of Jesus mouth in heaven.  What does it represent?  Pretty simple, really.  It’s the word of God.

• “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” – Hebrews 4:12
• “… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17
• “… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty…” – Isaiah 55:11  (All NIV)

Earlier, in his gospel, John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1 (NIV)  The Greek “word” here is logos, quite familiar to many of us.  It may sound a little trite to us because we’ve heard it so often.  But the concept of logos is the title of another complete encyclopedia that is rooted in mythology, philosophy, and of course our understanding of Jesus and his relationship in the Trinity along with his connection to our world.  It’s pretty heady stuff if you like to delve into it.

So, the sword coming out of his mouth represents the fact that Jesus is always speaking.  And he has connection to every one of us collectively as bodies of believers, and individually.  And he speaks simultaneously to all of us.  “…his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” – v. 15 (NIV)
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So, yes, we will see/hear Jesus in heaven with a sword coming out of his mouth.  But John was only providing a word picture of what he heard and saw.  Jesus himself is the “Word of God,” and as such he is always speaking.  The tough part is that I am not always listening.  When we are ushered into the realm in which John found himself, that will no longer be a problem.  We will be privileged to see and hear the word of our Lord.  And we will drink in the wonder and majesty of his omnipotence, his omniscience, his love, forever and forever, never satiated, but always hungry for more of him.