16. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth. His face shone like the sun shining at full strength.
17. When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,
18. and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive – forever and ever – and I hold the keys of death and of Hades!
19. Therefore write what you saw, what is, and what will be after these things.
20. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.