Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 1:15

"and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters." — Revelation 1:15 (ASV)

The Son of Man’s feet appeared like shining bronze (cf. 2:18), as if it were fired to white heat in a kiln (cf. a similar figure of glowing metal in Eze 1:13, 27; 8:2; Daniel 10:6). In both Ezekiel and Daniel the brightness of shining metal like fire is one of the symbols connected with the appearance of the glory of God. This image may represent Christ’s triumphant judgment (i.e., his trampling down) of unbelievers.

“His voice... like the sound of rushing [lit., many; GK 4498] waters” (cf. 14:2; 19:6) describes the glory and majesty of God in a way similar to that which Ezekiel heard (Ezekiel 1:24; Ezekiel 43:2). Anyone who has heard the awe-inspiring sound of a Niagara or Victoria Falls cannot but appreciate this image of God’s power and sovereignty (Psalms 93:4).