[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Here John is looking to see who is talking to him in the vision. The seven golden candlesticks have double meaning–they refer to the seven churches of John’s day that the book of Revelation was originally sent to, but as we will soon see, those seven churches also represent the seven ages of the New Testament church.
[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Here John finds that the one speaking to him in the vision is Jesus Christ.
[14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
This is descriptive of the risen Christ, after He had ascended back to heaven.
[15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
This description emphasizes the power and glory of the risen Christ, through fire, hardened metal, and water, all signs of power and glory.
[16] And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Another use of imagery to refer back to the seven churches and the seven church ages is the seven stars. For those who are not aware of this, seven is a number that the Lord uses to symbolize Him and His kingdom. It is a sacred number. The sword represents God as almighty judge. And, once again, another reference to God’s strength, which is as sunshine.
[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
The first reaction from John was one of fear. Jesus reasurred him, and the church, saying that He is the one who has always been here, will always be here, and He does not promote fear, but, as one other Scripture says, “power, love, and a sound mind.”
[18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Jesus states that he was alive, died on the cross, and then rose from the grave to live forever at the right hand of the Father. He reminds us that He is over everything, even death and hell. As the psalmist David said, “Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?”
[19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
John is told once again to write what he sees in this vision, as it is what will happen in the future.
[20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
This verse explains all the symbolism earlier in the chapter. Revelation is full of symbols, and some are going to be fairly obvious–others have baffled religious experts for centuries. Stay tuned as we dig deeper into this book of what is to come.
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