Revelation 1:13

The man looked like "a son of man." This expression refers to the divine Messiah in Daniel 7:13-14 (cf. Daniel 3:25; Daniel 10:5-6; Daniel 10:18; Acts 7:56). "Son of Man" was Jesus’ favorite title for Himself according to the writers of the Gospels (cf. Mark 13:26). The person John saw looked like a human man. His clothing was that of a priest: a long robe with a golden sash around it. [Note: Cf. Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 3:7:2.] Jesus Christ’s present office is that of our high priest (Hebrews 4:14). However this long robe (Gr. poderes) was also a sign of rank or dignity in those who wore it (cf. Ezekiel 9:2; Daniel 10:5). [Note: Swete, pp. 15-16; R. H. Charles, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John , 1:26-27.]

"In Revelation 1:13, Christ is seen dressed in the type robe worn by both a priest and a judge; but the position of the girdle about the breasts rather than the waist indicates that Christ, in this passage, is exercising a judicial rather than a priestly role. A priest would be girded about the waist, signifying service; but the girdle placed about the shoulders or breasts indicates a magisterial function (cf. John 13:2-5; Revelation 15:6)." [Note: Arlen L. Chitwood, Judgment Seat of Christ, p. 15.]

"The titles of Jesus Christ found in the introductions to six of the seven messages in chapters 2 and 3 are drawn largely from this vision of Revelation 1:12-20 and its descriptive phrases. Only the message to Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) is devoid of one of these. One of the titles is used in two messages (cf. Revelation 2:1 and Revelation 3:1) . . . It is apparent that the appearance of Christ in this vision is designed to emphasize the aspects of His nature that are most relevant to the needs and circumstances of the seven churches who are the primary recipients of this book." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 1-7, p. 97.]