Answers

Q:

I know you've said that the Bible doesn't tell us exactly what Jesus looked like, but isn't there a description of Him in the book of Revelation? It seems like I've heard this somewhere.


A:

Perhaps you’re thinking of the vision God gave to the Apostle John (the writer of Revelation), in which God showed him the heavenly glory of Christ.

In this vision John saw Jesus standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands (representing the seven churches to whom John was writing). His image was glorious — so glorious that John was overwhelmed and fell down at Jesus’ feet as if he were dead. John records that “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace” (Revelation 1:14-15). Few artists have even attempted to capture this vision on canvas, because it staggers our imagination.

This is not, however, a description of what Jesus looked like while He walked on earth. We don’t know what He looked like then — and (as I’ve often said) if we did, some people would be tempted to worship that image or make an idol of it. But that would be wrong.

Never forget who Jesus was: the Son of God who came down from heaven for our salvation. But never forget either who He is right now: the risen, glorious Son of God in heaven, watching over us and “sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). He is worthy of our worship and our love, because He overcame the powers of evil and hell for us, and opened heaven’s doors to all who put their faith and trust in Him.