16. He held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth. He looked like the sun shining at its brightest time.
17. When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He put his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last.
18. I am the One who lives. I was dead, but look: I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and where the dead are.
19. So write the things you see, what is now and what will happen later.
20. Here is the hidden meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands that you saw: The seven lampstands are the seven churches. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.