1. Revelation 1:16 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is symbolized by the sharp two-edged sword coming from the son of man's mouth?

Revelation 1:16 (ESV)

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

The original Greek indicates that this sword comes continuously out of his mouth. This is visionary language that we’re not meant to take literally; instead we are to understand the message of the picture the vision generates. The prophets had mentioned that the Word of God is a sword (Isaiah 49:2; Hosea 6:5) and the apostle Paul had echoed that understanding (Ephesians 6:17). The letter to the Hebrews even indicates that the Word has the ability to expose the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). This is the weapon that the one like a son of man continuously uses in his activity among enemies (Revelation 19:15) as well as his church (Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16).