March 22: THE LOVELIEST VOICE

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. Revelation 1:15

Is there any expression of mortal tongue that could even come close to accurately describing the splendor of the LORD? The visions that John was shown are worded as beautifully as human language allows. We have come to understand that apocalyptic literature is weighted very heavily with symbolic imagery. And, certainly it is not a coincidence that much of what John sees lines up with the other apocalyptic book of the Bible:

I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, His face like the appearance of lightning, His eyes like torches of fire, His arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of His words like the voice of a multitude. Daniel 10:5-6

There was a special metal alloy used by the Greeks and the Romans called Corinthian brass. It was made with copper, silver, and gold. Because of its hardness and brilliance of sheen, it was more durable and actually considered more valuable than gold. Its color was like white gold. The brightness and purity of Christ was a challenge for both Daniel and John to describe. The appearance of His feet was deemed as important to describe as other areas:

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

The beauty of the feet of Christ is purposely intended to contrast with those who claim to follow Him, yet go against His word. The casting down and trampling of His law among God’s people is a long-running offense, causing much confusion in the world, and the Lord fully intends to set it straight: …refrain from trampling the Sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on My holy day; call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests or pursuing your own affairs… (Isaiah 58:13 NRSV)

The LORD’s voice has been described as a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12) because of His patient and gentle dealings with us. Yet, in the revelation of His glory and splendor, the sheer power in His voice must be made known. The Prophet Ezekiel agrees with John’s description:

And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. Ezekiel 43:2

The deafening sound of rushing waters at Niagara Falls probably does not compare! It is interesting that the deluded multitudes who support the false church are called many waters (Revelation 17:1,15). Indeed, their combined voice will become louder and louder, gaining a larger and growing platform as time moves rapidly toward its end. Beloved, you and I must keep our ears tuned to that loveliest, sweetest, and purest Voice of all…

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

For further study: Psalm 29:3-9, Isaiah 56:6; Jeremiah 10:9; Romans 10:15; Revelation 2:18