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Revelation 1:12-19

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. 14. His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. 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: 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. 19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Revelation 1:12-19 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 1:12

Theological / Devotional

See the voice. That is, see who was speaking.

Candlesticks. Gr. luchnia, “lampstands.” The candle, in its familiar modern form, was not in general use in ancient times. Lamps were usually shaped in the form of a shallow bowl, into which oil was poured and a wick inserted. Accordingly, the “candlesticks” John saw were, apparently, stands surmounted by such lamps.

In v. 20 these lampstands are declared to represent the seven churches, and thus the whole church (see on v. 11). The fact that they are of gold would seem to imply the preciousness of the church in the sight of God. John sees Christ walking about in their midst (vs. 13–18), thus indicating His continuing presence with His church (see Matt. 28:20; cf. Col. 1:18).

The reference here to seven golden candlesticks is reminiscent of the seven golden candlesticks in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary (see Ex. 25:31–37). Obviously, however, these differ materially from the seven-branched candlestick of OT times, for John saw Christ walking about among them (see Rev. 1:13 ; 2:1). These “seven … candlesticks” are specifically said to represent churches on earth, and are therefore not to be thought of as the heavenly counterpart of the seven-branched candlestick of the ancient earthly sanctuary.

By SdaBc