The Book of Revelation 

Let me get back to the remaining portion of Revelation 1:10  “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” 

We also see the “voice” “as it were of a trumpet” mentioned in Revelation 4:1. 

Verse 11 records the Alpha and Omega statement of Jesus again and also records John’s instructions to write to the seven churches of Asia. 

In verse 12, John turned to see who was speaking and saw the seven golden candlesticks with are representative of each of the seven churches (as we will soon determine).  Note that candlesticks are NOT the light and they themselves do not GIVE light.  Candlesticks are bearers of the light!  This is what the churches are:  bearers of the light which IS Jesus Christ. 

John also saw, in verse 12, something he had never seen before!  John saw Jesus in his radiant glory!  He saw the glorified Christ!  Though John had seen Jesus, walked with him and talked with him, he had never seen Jesus in his glory! 

Revelation 1:13-16  “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.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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.”  

Remember, this is the same John of whom it is written that he was:  “…that disciple whom Jesus loved”...” in John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7, and John 21:20.  John is the one “which also leaned on his breast at supper”  (John 21:20) and was the one to whom Jesus spoke from the cross saying “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:27).  John was no stranger to Jesus and had been in his presence many times, but this time, look at John’s reaction: 

Revelation 1:17  “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:…” 

John fell at his feet as dead!  Some say this means he fainted, some say this was a voluntary reaction, but I say this was the same involuntary reaction we will all have when standing in the presence of the radiant glory of Christ.  In either case, John the Beloved fell at the feet of Jesus. 

If there was any doubt at all who it was that John was seeing, verse 18 removes all doubt.  There is only one throughout all eternity who fits this description: 

“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.” (Revelation 1:18) 

What a powerful statement!  Jesus said he had the keys of hell and of death, signifying that he has conquered both! 

John is given a command in verse 19 to write “the things which thou has seen” (things you’ve already seen), “the things which are”  (the things which currently exist), and “the things which shall be hereafter” (from this point forward). 

Verse 20 finds Jesus explaining the seven stars and the seven candlesticks.  Jesus calls the stars “angels of the seven churches”.  Some have declared this to be literal “guardian” angels and it could very well be.  I personally believe, however, since it is John writing “to” the seven churches, that the stars (angels) represent the Pastors of those churches. 

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