Revelation 1:12-20 (NKJV) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
V12 “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands…” John saw the literal heaven. Jesus is literal. Jesus has a voice. Interpreting Revelation must be done in its plain, normal sense. These are literal lampstands but very big. If something seems unusual or not seen on earth, it is safe to assume is a symbolic. Sometimes it is something seen in the Old Testament and helps to understand what we read. Compare Proverbs 13:9 and Matthew 5:14-15. These lampstands are the 7 churches that Jesus has a message for.
V13 “…and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” Jesus always has the churches in His heart and presence. See Matthew 18:20. The Son of Man is a Messianic term as in Daniel 7:13. The clothes show that Jesus is prophet, priest, and king.
V14 “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire…” The majesty of Jesus in appearance! The eyes reveal the fire of God in zeal, loyalty, and obedience. This is a real description of Jesus that John saw. John spent about 3.5 years with Jesus and would recognize Him.
V15 “…His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…” His feet show the glow of His heavenly body in full, perfect righteousness. His voice is authoritative and pleasant. It can be a comfort to the fearful and sorrowful but also in the fearful voice of the judge.
V16 “…He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches as in V20. We know from the context that the seven stars represent something just as the seven lampstands do. The sharp two-edged sword is similar and represents the authority and power of what He says. By His spoken word, He can create; He can punish; He can heal; He can afflict. When Jesus speaks, we must listen. The Bible is God’s voice written for us.
V17 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.” The fear of God is not just respect; it is also a fear. It is not a fear of judgment; it is the fear of majesty and holiness. But, note the kindness and compassion of the King of all kings. He helped and comforted John. Those who believe and trust in Jesus alone for salvation have no fear of God’s wrath. It is part of God’s spiritual blessings for those who believe.
V18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Having the keys of Hades and Death means that Jesus has the authority to send evil people and spirits to hell.
V19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” Jesus’s command to John is the 3 fold sections of this book. What you have seen is chapter 1. The things which are refer to Jesus’s messages to the 7 churches. The things that take place after this refer to chapters 4 to the end of the book.
V20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” Jesus’s explanation of what John sees in chapter 1.
We learn:
- Jesus is mighty in power and majesty.
- Jesus is compassionate and helpful to those who believe.
- Jesus wants us to know what is coming in the future.