Rev 1:11 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
Our Lord assured His people that He is the Almighty and is in control of all things. John was told to record the visions and to send them to the seven churches.
Rev 1:12-13 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 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.
The golden lampstands is a figurative representation of the churches that our omnipresent Jesus dwells in whenever there is a gathering of praise and worship.
His garment was down to the feet without the exposure of the flesh or nakedness, i.e. without any sinful nature.
He shows His eternal _(golden band round His chest)_ faith, love and righteousness towards men. (breastplate of faith, love and righteousness)
Mat 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Rev 1:14-15 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
These are some of the attributes of our glorious risen Lord. He is from the beginning (the Ancient One), righteous and holy (white as snow), He see the intents of our hearts (eyes like flames of fire), a just God for His foundation is judgment with justice (feet of refined bronze), His voice is strong, loud and assuring.
Rev 1:16 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.
He is in control of the 7 (all Christians) churches' leadership (stars - angels or leadership), His word is a sharp two-edged sword, which protects (by attacking the enemies) but also cleanses (sanctifies) Christians, His face shines as the light to the world.
Rev 1:17-18 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. 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."
John recognized the Lord and fell on His feet in fear. The Lord comforted Him by confirming that He is the resurrected Jesus, his Friend and Master. He affirmed John that He had complete power over Death and Hades after defeating Satan and his demons with His resurrection.
Heb 2:13-15 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
John was told to write down everything that he had seen - things that was in heaven then and also events of the future.
Rev 1:20 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.
The stars or angels (angel means messenger) mentioned in the seven churches are a representation of pastors or church leaders, and lampstands represent churches or the gathering of believers.
Just like our Lord Jesus explained clearly to His disciples the meaning of the parables in Matthew 13, we also need the Lord to enlighten us on the prophecies in the book of Revelation.
