In the Old Testament tabernacle, only the priests could enter the Holy Place to provide oil for the lamps, trim their wicks, and light them. The one John seeks among the seven lampstands, though, does not resemble a priest; he looked to John as “one like a son of man.” The phrase “son of man” comes from Daniel 7:13, where it describes one who is enthroned, powerful, kingly (see Daniel 7:14). This powerful, kingly person (as yet unidentified) is the one who trims the lamps on the lampstands, and that’s to say that he is the one who is busy among the churches so that his people shine as lights in the world.
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.