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The book of Revelation is the last book of the New Testament to be written, approximately 96 A.D. The writer is the Apostle John (1:1), while John was exiled on the island Patmos (1:9). The first part of Revlation, chapters 1 through 3, are dedicated to the messages of Jesus to the seven churches in Asia (1:4-5), Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
Christ establishes Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending (1:8). This relates to the doctrine we have throughout the Bible that Christ the Son has been eternally existing with the Father (see John 1:1), and as much God as the Father and Spirit.
1:10--John is having an out of body experience ("in the Spirit") and hears a great voice "as a trumpet".
1:11--This booming voice belongs to none other than Christ Himself, who commands John to write to the seven churches mentioned above.
1:12--When John turns, he sees seven golden candlesticks.
1:13--The middle stick in the 'candlabra' is one "like unto the Son of man", i.e. Christ.
1:14-16--We see the description of Christ. In verse 14, we see Christ's wisdom and divinity shown by His white head and hairs, white like wool and snow. Also in verse 14, we see the judgment characteristic of Christ by His eyes of flame of fire.
Verse 15 shows us the trial of works by Christ's feet of brass "as if they burned in a furnace" (see I Cor. 3:10-15 and I Peter 1:7). Verse 15 also reflects the power of the voice of Christ as the sound of rushing waters.
In verse 16, we see 7 stars in right hand of Christ. These represent the angels of the 7 above mentioned churches (1:20). The debate then becomes who these 'angels' are. Are they actual heavenly angels, or, as some posit, 7 messengers, or pastors, of these churches? Since the Greek word used here is 'angelos', meaning messengers, Vine's Bible Dictionary leans toward the angels being some type of guardian or representative, as opposed to angelic beings.
Verse 16 shows us the sharp twoedged sword coming from the mouth of Christ. This represents the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Finally, verse 16 shows us the glory of Christ by His face shining as the sun.
1:17--We see the awesome reaction of John to seeing Christ. He falls as dead. Christ comforts him and orders him to rise.
1:18-19--Christ tells John He is the living Christ that holds the keys to death and hell, and orders John to write what he has seen, and what he will see.
1:20--The seven candlesticks are further identified as the seven churches to which John is to write. Christ being the center stick amongst the seven sticks shows us that Christ is to be the center focal point of all church activity, as He is the groom and the church is the bride (see II Cor. 11:2).