VERSE 10: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. I listened and there was a great voice, the sound of a trumpet. ‘The Spirit’, as revealed in Genesis 1, brings about God’s order. 

‘The Lord’s Day’ could refer to:
1. The Sabbath day. There is a relationship between the Sabbath and the Kingdom.
The last thing God created was the Sabbath day (Genesis 2v2-3). He created it so that
He could have fellowship and intimacy with man. The establishment of the Kingdom
has the same purpose as the Sabbath – fellowship and intimacy with mankind.
2. The day of judgement
3. A Sunday – because it was on this day that Yeshua was raised to life.

There are two types of trumpets spoken about in the Bible:
1. Silver trumpets announce something (e.g. a call to battle, a call to worship – 1 Corinthians 14v8)
2. Shofar or ram’s horn has to do with provision. [G-d has already provided all that we
need (salvation) in order to be faithful and pleasing to Him. Genesis 22v13-14]

VERSE 11: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last; and, ‘What you see, write in this book, and send it to the seven congregations which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’ 

This is the second time that ‘Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last’ is mentioned (See 1v8
where it is set in the context of redemption.) In Isaiah 48v12, where these words are also recorded, the context is of God’s faithfulness/commitment to Israel. He will fulfill His covenant promises! John takes this context, of covenant faithfulness, and applies it to those who are followers of Messiah in the last days. As we saw in 1v4, the number ‘seven’ speaks of sanctification (to be set apart for the use intended by its designer). It reminds us that God has sanctified the body of believers for a kingdom purpose – that we, collectively, demonstrate the character and principles of that Kingdom, in our lives.

VERSE 12: “I turned to see the voice who was speaking to me. And it came about, when I turned, I saw seven golden menorahs(lampstands).”
‘The voice’ serves to remind us of Numbers 7v89. This verse is set in the context of Moses preparing to dedicate the tabernacle. On this day, Moses stood, in the Holy of Holies (where the atonement cover/mercy seat is), and he experienced intimacy with G-d. This parallels Messiah Yeshua doing the same thing, in preparation for the Millennial Kingdom of God.
The ‘menorah’ stood in the Holy Place. The purpose of the menorah was for its light to testify, to the people, that God was with them. The menorot, here, are symbols representing the congregations (see 1v20). These congregations are supposed to live, and behave, in such a way that others see the Presence of God, in their lives, and want the same reality in theirs.

VERSE 13: “And in the midst of these seven menorahs was one, like the Son of Man, dressed in a coat; and he was girded with a golden girdle around His heart.” 

God is always with us. (John 14v18-19) He is in our midst. 

VERSE 14: “And His head and His hair were white like fine wool, white like snow. And His eyes like a flame of fire.”

VERSE 15: “And His feet were burnished bronze, as refined in a furnace. And His voice as a voice of many waters.”

Messiah is depicted in the likeness of G-d His Father. (Daniel 7v9-10) Yeshua is going to inherit, from His Father, a name that is above all names (Philippians 2v6-11) A transition is going to happen when the Kingdom of God is established.

VERSE 16: “And it came about that was in His right hand the seven stars. And out of His mouth came a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the shining sun, mighty in power.” 

The sword is a strong weapon, but is also used for the purpose of separating – distinguishing between that which is of God and that which is not of God. (See Matthew 25v31-46)

VERSE 17: “And when I looked at Him, I fell upon His feet as dead. But He touched me with His right hand, and He said to me, ‘Do not fear. I am the First and the Last. (see 1v8, 1v11)’” 

‘I am the First and the Last’: This is the third time Messiah has used these names to refer to Himself. Used here, they remind us that redemption is about the establishment of the Kingdom, but also about intimacy between man and God. John, seeing the resurrected Messiah, fell before Him as if dead. A fear of God is a healthy sign in a believer’s life. (Proverbs 9v10)

VERSE 18: “I am the Living. I was dead and behold I live forever and ever, Amen. For in my hand are the keys of Sheol and death.”

Yeshua came in order to give us life (John 10v10). ‘Forever’ is also related to the Kingdom. Yeshua lay down His life, but He rose again, and purchased victory for us. We can have this victory through intimacy with God. ‘keys of Sheol and death’ – All manner of judgement has been given to the Son (John 5v22). He is the One who will open up the gates of hell. Those who are going to be cast into it are cast into it by His Word. (Matthew 25v41) Likewise, through Him, people will also be saved from it.

VERSE 19: “And now, write these things which you saw, and what has been done now, and what will be afterwards.”

VERSE 20: “For the secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden menorahs: The seven stars, they are the messengers (leaders) of the seven congregations. And the seven menorahs, which you saw, they are the seven congregations.” 

In chapter 2 and 3 we are going to read about how G-d’s revelation is given to these ‘stars’. These ‘stars’ (leaders, messengers) will receive the revelation in order to share it with the ‘golden menorahs’. It’s only through this message, that they receive, that the congregations (‘churches’) can manifest God’s glory, both in their words and in their deeds. Believers are called to be a living testimony, so that others may see the manifest presence of God in the world – especially prior to the day of judgement.