Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

• The vision of Christ among the lamp stands in Revelation 1:10-17 serves as a case study illustrating how Historical References and Apocalyptic Visions are woven together throughout Revelation.

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

The image of the Son of Man in the vision of Revelation chapter one bears a striking

resemblance to a messenger sent to Daniel.

“…I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.”-- Daniel 10:4-6

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day” (1:10)

– Ezekiel 2:2 “And I heard behind me a

loud voice, as of a trumpet” (1:10)

-- Ezekiel 3:12 “Then I turned to see the voice

that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands (1:12)

-- Exodus 25:31-37; Zechariah 4:2.

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

“And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man” (1:13)

-- Daniel 7:13-14 “Clothed with a garment

down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” (1:13)

-- Exodus 29:5 “His head and hair were

white like wool, as white as snow” (1:14)

– Isaiah 1:18, Daniel 7:9

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

“And His eyes like a flame of fire” (1:14)

-- Daniel 10:6 “His feet were like fine brass,

as if refined in a furnace” (1:15)

-- Daniel 10:6 “And His voice as the sound of

many waters” (1:15)

-- Ezekiel 43:2 “He had in His right hand

seven stars” (1:16; cf.1:20).

-- Exodus 15:6

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

“Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” (1:16)

-- Isaiah 49:2; Hebrews 4:12 “And His countenance was

like the sun shining in its strength.” (1:16)

-- Daniel 10:6; Hebrews 1:3 “And when I saw Him, I fell at

His feet as dead.” (1:17)

-- Daniel 10:8, Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; 43:3

Christ Among the LampstandsRevelation 1:10-17

“But He laid His right hand on me saying to me, "Do not be afraid” (1:17)

-- Daniel 10:10-12 “I am the First and the Last.” (1:17)

– Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. (cf. Isaiah 48:12f.)

Christ among

the Lamp Stands

Christ among

the Lamp Stands

Christ among the Lamp Stands

Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2 &3)

•The seven churches were literal churches, but they represent the church as a whole.

•Other known churches in Asia included…• Troas (Acts 20:6-7)• Colosse (Col. 1:2)• Hierapolis (Col. 4:13)

Letters to the Seven Churches (Revelation 2 &3)

• A pattern is followed in each of the messages to the seven churches.1. Salutation2. Christ’s self designation3. Commendation of good4. Condemnation of evil5. Counsel (warning & exhortation)6. Promise of reward to those who overcome7. Invitation to Hear

Note the Pattern of Salutations“To the angel of the church…”

• Ephesus (2:1)• Smyrna (2:8)• Pergamos (2:12)• Thyatira (2:18)• Sardis (3:1)• Philadelphia (3:7)• Laodicea (3:14)

The Pattern of Christ’s Self-Designations

1. Ephesus (2:1) “These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands”

2. Smyrna (2:8) “These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life”

3. Pergamos (2:12) “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword”

4. Thyatira (2:18) “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass”

The Pattern of Christ’s Self-Designations

5. Sardis (3:1) “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars”

6. Philadelphia (3:7) “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”

7. Laodicea (3:14) “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God”

Note the Pattern of Commendations

1. Ephesus (2:2, 3, 6)2. Smyrna (2:9)3. Pergamos (2:13)4. Thyatira (2:19)5. Sardis (3:1, 4)6. Philadelphia (3:8, 9)7. Laodicea (none, 3:15)

“I know your works”

Note the Pattern of Condemnations

1. Ephesus (2:4)2. Smyrna (none)3. Pergamos (2:14, 15)4. Thyatira (2:20)5. Sardis (3:1, 2)6. Philadelphia (none)7. Laodicea (3:15-17)

“I have this against you”

Note the Pattern of Counsel

1. Ephesus (2:5)2. Smyrna (2:10)3. Pergamos (2:16)4. Thyatira (2:22-25)5. Sardis (3:2, 3)6. Philadelphia (3:9-11)7. Laodicea (3:18-19)

“Remember” “Hold Fast” “Watch”

Note the Promised Rewards for Overcoming

1. Ephesus (2:7)2. Smyrna (2:10-11)3. Pergamos (2:17)4. Thyatira (2:26-28)5. Sardis (3:5)6. Philadelphia (3:12)7. Laodicea (3:20-21)

“To him who overcomes”

Note the Concluding Invitations to Hear

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

1. Ephesus (2:7)2. Smyrna (2:11)3. Pergamos (2:17)4. Thyatira (2:29)5. Sardis (3:6)6. Philadelphia (3:13)7. Laodicea (3:22)

Key Similarities in each of the Seven Messages

• “Unto the angel of the church…”• “I know your works…” (Hebrews 4:13;

Galatians 6:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10)• “To him who overcomes…”

– “Overcome” is found 17 times in Revelation

• “He who has an hear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”