Sometimes in the fast flow of the impressionistic visions John relates conversations take place. Often this is with a character described in ways that it is obvious John is reaching for words in human language that will convey the glory and majesty of this character – but he can never fully describe this so he often uses the word ‘like.’

When we stop to ask, ‘Whom is John describing? Is it God or is it Christ?’ we are immediately drawn into one of the main elements of John’s theological and pastoral purpose. That we have to ask the question at all means that the descriptions John gives are similar. Indeed, some of them are used of both God and Christ. So, for John, when you encounter Christ you encounter God; when Christ says something, it is God speaking; when Christ does something, it is the action of God. In creation, redemption and the dispensing of justice, Christ is the agent of God and is worthy to receive the worship that belongs to God alone.