When kids are younger, they can tend to see their dad as a superhero. He’s so strong and so smart; there’s nothing that my dad can’t do. In fact, boys may go so far as to say that my dad can beat your dad up. But then kids grow up and lose that vision of dad. He is not so much a superhero as he is, well, rather human and normal. This is natural and true as human dads are these things. However, when it comes to our God, He is the superhero of superheroes and time doesn’t change this. Often, we can start out in the faith seeing the Lord as our superhero and singing, “My God is so great, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing that my God can’t do!” Only to grow up a little more and forget who He is.

God’s vision of Jesus in Revelation 1:12–18, empowers us to never repeat the cycle of kids with God. John says,

¹²I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. ¹⁷When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

We can’t see Jesus with us; He is not visible to us. We cannot visibly see Him in our worship services. We cannot see Him in our homes. We cannot see Him at our jobs. But this vision declares to us that He is actively present among His churches. Jesus walks with us! And He does so in important “high priestly clothing” (v. 13; garment and golden band), with “years of wisdom” (v. 14; white hair), “divine insight and fierce judgment” (v. 14; eyes like fire), stable strength (v. 15; brass feet), powerful strength (v. 15; voice like many waters), controlling the angels (v. 16; seven stars in His righthand; likely interpretation), speaking final judgement (v. 16; two-edged sword out of His mouth), and a glorious appearance (v. 16; face shining like the sun) (Grant Osbourne).

All these images together declare the exalted Jesus Christ in ruling glory! He is the wise, stable (in His feet), powerful (in His voice), glorious (in His appearance) judge! And He is not far from His churches. He sits in heaven at the right hand of God, but His presence is still with His people on earth. This vision therefore brings us comfort that our Lord and Savior is near and actively in control.

With Jesus among us and ruling over us, we are comforted, and we are hopeful! He is near; He is in control. Therefore, we remain faithful to Jesus until He comes again with the clouds of heaven. We walk by faith when challenged by sight. We trust in His presence when we feel lonely. We persevere when tempted by sin and lies.

Jesus is among us and He lives, ruling all things in complete authority! My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do—FOR YOU! Don’t lose sight of this vision. Keep it and it will keep you moving forward in God’s strength.