John's Vision of the Glorified Son of Man
Revelation 1:9-20
Rev.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- συγκοινωνος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- υπομονη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εγενομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- νησω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- καλουμενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,f
- Πατμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαρτυριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 1:29 (thematic): Links the idea of suffering for Christ—Paul says believers are granted not only to believe but also to suffer for Christ, paralleling John’s self-identification as a companion in suffering.
- Romans 8:17 (thematic): Connects suffering with participation in Christ’s reign: believers are heirs with Christ if they share his sufferings, echoing John’s phrasing ‘in the suffering and kingdom.’
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Encourages rejoicing to the extent that one shares Christ’s sufferings so that one may also rejoice at his revelation—parallels John’s linking of tribulation, patient endurance, and hope in Christ.
- Acts 28:31 (verbal): Paul’s proclamation of the kingdom and teaching about Jesus ‘with all boldness’ while confined resonates with John’s residence on Patmos and his witness ‘for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.’
- Acts 20:24 (thematic): Paul’s commitment to finish his ministry and testify to the gospel—even at cost to himself—parallels John’s exile ‘because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.’
Alternative generated candidates
- I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and in the kingdom and in the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- I, John, your brother and partner in the suffering and in the kingdom and in the patient endurance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Rev.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγενομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- κυριακη: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ηκουσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- οπισω: ADV
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- φωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεγαλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- σαλπιγγος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Revelation 4:1 (verbal): The same simile of a voice like a trumpet recurs as the opening of the heavenly vision—explicit verbal echo and structural continuation of the auditory summons.
- Revelation 4:2 (verbal): Uses the identical phrasing 'I was in the Spirit' (εὐθὺς ἐγενόμην ἐν τῷ πνεύματι), linking John’s visionary seizing 'in the Spirit' across Revelation’s vision sequences.
- Joel 2:1 (thematic): The prophet’s 'Blow a trumpet in Zion' summons an eschatological alarm; parallels the trumpet-like voice as an apocalyptic call associated with the 'day' of the Lord.
- Acts 20:7 (thematic): Describes Christians gathering on the 'first day of the week'—an early Christian practice often connected with the term 'the Lord’s day' (κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ) in Rev 1:10.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (thematic): Speaks of the Lord’s return accompanied by 'a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God,' echoing the combined motifs of a loud voice and trumpet associated with eschatological revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
- I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
Rev.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγουσης·Ο: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,f,sg
- βλεπεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γραψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- εις: PREP
- βιβλιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- πεμψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- εκκλησιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εις: PREP
- Εφεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Σμυρναν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Περγαμον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Θυατειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Σαρδεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Φιλαδελφειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Λαοδικειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Revelation 2:1 (structural): Direct continuation: the first of the seven individual letters begins with the command to 'write' to the church in Ephesus, implementing 1:11's instruction.
- Revelation 1:4 (thematic): Greeting addressed 'to the seven churches in Asia'—same group of seven churches named in 1:11, establishing the recipients and setting for the letters.
- Habakkuk 2:2 (verbal): 'Write the vision and make it plain...' echoes the imperative to record a revelation in writing, paralleling the formula 'write in a book' in Rev 1:11.
- Jeremiah 30:2 (verbal): God's command to Jeremiah to 'write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book' parallels the prophetic instruction in Revelation to set the message down in writing.
- Ezekiel 3:1-3 (allusion): Prophetic commissioning where Ezekiel consumes a written scroll and is sent to proclaim God's word—parallels the prophetic act of receiving, recording, and delivering a divine message to a designated audience.
Alternative generated candidates
- saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
- saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
Rev.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- επεστρεψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- βλεπειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- φωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- ελαλει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- μετ᾽εμου·και: PREP+PRON+CONJ,gen,sg,1
- επιστρεψας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- λυχνιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- χρυσας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Zechariah 4:2-6 (allusion): Vision of a golden lampstand with seven lamps and two olive trees; closely parallels Revelation's seven lampstands and uses similar symbolic imagery (divine presence and empowerment).
- Exodus 25:31-40 (verbal): Detailed description of the golden lampstand (menorah) in the Tabernacle; provides the cultic prototype for Revelation's 'golden lampstands.'
- Matthew 5:14-16 (thematic): Jesus' teaching that his followers/communities are 'the light of the world' resonates with Revelation's use of lampstands to represent churches and the theme of communal witness.
- Revelation 1:20 (structural): Explicit interpretation within Revelation identifying the seven golden lampstands as the seven churches, directly explaining the symbolic function of the lampstands seen in 1:12.
- Ezekiel 1:4-5 (structural): Typical prophetic visionary introduction ('I looked' / turning to see) and striking, otherworldly imagery; parallels John's turn to see and the genre of prophetic-apocalyptic vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
- Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands,
Rev.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- λυχνιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- ομοιον: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ενδεδυμενον: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- ποδηρη: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περιεζωσμενον: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαστοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ζωνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- χρυσαν·: ADJ,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Daniel 7:13 (allusion): The phrase 'one like a son of man' echoes Daniel's vision of 'one like a son of man' coming with the clouds, linking John’s figure to the heavenly, eschatological Son of Man motif.
- Daniel 10:5-6 (verbal): Daniel's description of a heavenly man 'clothed in linen' with a 'belt of gold' parallels Revelation's depiction of a figure dressed to the feet and girded with a golden band (similar clothing and gold-belt imagery).
- Ezekiel 1:26-28 (allusion): Ezekiel's vision of 'the likeness of a man' above a throne and the radiant, impressive appearance of that figure resonates with John's visionary language and the depiction of a humanlike, exalted figure among divine imagery.
- Revelation 2:1 (structural): Uses the same lampstand motif: 'He who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven golden lampstands' applies the figure of Rev 1:13 directly to the messages to the churches, showing continuity in the scene's function and placement.
- Matthew 26:64 (quotation): Jesus' appeal to Daniel's 'Son of Man' (coming on the clouds) links the New Testament self-identification of Jesus to the 'one like a son of man' imagery in Revelation, reinforcing the messianic identity of John’s vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe down to his feet and girded across his chest with a golden sash.
- and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash about his chest.
Rev.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- κεφαλη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- τριχες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- λευκαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- ως: ADV
- εριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- λευκον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ως: ADV
- χιων: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- οφθαλμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- φλοξ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Daniel 7:9 (allusion): The Ancient of Days is described with hair white like wool and clothing white as snow—an Old Testament precedent for the white hair/snow simile applied to the divine figure in Revelation.
- Daniel 10:6 (verbal): The heavenly figure is said to have eyes like lamps/torches of fire, echoing Revelation's phrase 'eyes like a flame of fire.'
- Revelation 2:18 (verbal): In the letter to Thyatira the Son of God is explicitly described as one 'who has eyes like a flame of fire,' repeating the same verbal image within Revelation.
- Revelation 19:12 (verbal): The glorified rider is depicted with eyes like a flame of fire and white hair imagery recurs, reinforcing the same portrait of Christ found in Rev 1:14.
- Matthew 17:2 (thematic): At the Transfiguration Jesus' appearance becomes dazzling and his garments whiter than snow/light—a thematic parallel in which heavenly radiance and whiteness signify divine purity and majesty.
Alternative generated candidates
- The hair of his head was white as wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were like a flame of fire.
- The hair of his head was white like wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire,
Rev.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ποδες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ομοιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- χαλκολιβανω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- καμινω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πεπυρωμενης: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υδατων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:7 (verbal): Describes the creatures' feet 'sparkled like burnished bronze' (or 'like the color of burnished bronze'), paralleling Revelation's metal imagery for the feet.
- Daniel 10:6 (verbal): A heavenly figure is depicted with arms/feet like polished bronze and 'the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude,' closely matching both the metallic feet and the many-waters voice in Revelation.
- Ezekiel 43:2 (verbal): The glory of God approaches and 'his voice was like the noise of many waters,' a near verbal parallel to Revelation's 'voice as the sound of many waters.'
- Psalm 29:3-4 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's voice as over the waters and as powerful/majestic; thematically echoes Revelation's portrayal of Christ's voice as the sound of many waters.
Alternative generated candidates
- His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters.
- his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters.
Rev.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δεξια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- χειρι: NOUN,dat,sg,fem
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αστερας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ρομφαια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- διστομος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- οξεια: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εκπορευομενη: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οψις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ηλιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- φαινει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 2:1 (verbal): Uses the same language of 'him who holds the seven stars in his right hand' when addressing the church in Ephesus—repeats the image of the seven stars as objects held in the Lord's right hand.
- Revelation 2:16 (verbal): Refers to the 'sword of my mouth' as the instrument of judgment—echoes the image of a sharp sword coming from the mouth in 1:16.
- Revelation 19:15 (allusion): Depicts the coming Lord with a sharp sword coming out of his mouth to strike the nations—develops the same mouth-sword motif found in 1:16 and associates it with eschatological judgment.
- Matthew 17:2 (thematic): Describes Jesus at the Transfiguration with a face shining like the sun—parallels the depiction in 1:16 of his face shining with the brilliance of the sun.
- Hebrews 4:12 (thematic): Portrays the word of God as 'sharper than any two-edged sword'—connects the two-edged/sword imagery in 1:16 with the figurative power of God's word spoken from his mouth.
Alternative generated candidates
- In his right hand he held seven stars; from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
- In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Rev.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- επεσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- νεκρος·και: ADJ,nom,sg,m+CONJ
- εθηκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δεξιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επ᾽εμε: PREP,acc
- λεγων·Μη: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m+PART
- φοβου·εγω: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πρωτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εσχατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:6 (verbal): Uses the same sovereign self-designation — 'I am the first and the last' — to assert God's uniqueness and eternity, echoed verbatim in Rev 1:17–18.
- Isaiah 48:12 (verbal): Another close verbal parallel: God declares 'I am he; I am the first, I also am the last,' language directly paralleled by the voice in Revelation.
- Revelation 22:13 (verbal): Within Revelation itself the risen Lord again identifies himself as 'the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,' reinforcing the same titular self‑identification.
- Daniel 10:8–10 (structural): Daniel's visionary experience parallels John's: the seer falls prostrate/overcome like the dead and is revived by a touch from the heavenly figure, a common apocalypse motif echoed in Rev 1:17–18.
- Matthew 28:10 (thematic): The risen Jesus' command 'Do not be afraid' to the women at the tomb parallels the comforting imperative in Rev 1:17, where the heavenly figure reassures the terrified seer.
Alternative generated candidates
- When I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last,
- When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last,
Rev.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,m,sg
- και: CONJ
- εγενομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- νεκρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- ζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,m,sg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- κλεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 2:8 (quotation): Direct repetition of the formula ‘who was dead and came to life’ and the titles of Christ (First and Last/the Living One), echoing Rev 1:18's resurrection claim.
- Revelation 3:7 (structural): Uses key-imagery (‘the key of David’) to signify authoritative control over doors/judgment, paralleling Rev 1:18’s claim to the keys of Death and Hades (authority over death and the realm of the dead).
- Revelation 22:13 (verbal): Shared royal/eternal titles (Alpha and Omega, First and Last) and the theme of Christ’s eternal, sovereign identity like the eternal life asserted in Rev 1:18.
- John 11:25 (thematic): Jesus’ self‑identification as ‘the resurrection and the life’ connects thematically to Rev 1:18’s emphasis on having triumphed over death and being alive forever.
- Hosea 13:14 (allusion): OT promise of deliverance from Sheol/death (‘ransom from the power of Sheol’) provides a scriptural background for Revelation’s proclamation of victory over Death and Hades.
Alternative generated candidates
- and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore; and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.
- and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.
Rev.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γραψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειδες: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- μελλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γινεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- μετα: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Revelation 1:11 (verbal): Directly connected command in the same vision cycle: both verses instruct John to 'write' the things he has seen, is seeing, and that will follow (similar wording and immediate context).
- Habakkuk 2:2 (verbal): Explicit prophetic instruction to 'write the vision' and make it plain — a close verbal and functional parallel to John's commission to record what is seen and to report future events.
- Ezekiel 2:9–10; 3:1–3 (structural): Ezekiel receives a written scroll/word from God and is commanded to take it in and deliver it — parallels the prophetic reception of revelation and the directive to write and proclaim what has been revealed.
- Isaiah 46:10 (thematic): God 'declares the end from the beginning,' reflecting the same scope as Revelation's tripartite schema (what was seen, what is, and what will be) emphasizing God's sovereignty over past, present, and future.
- Amos 3:7 (allusion): The promise that God reveals his plans to his prophets resonates with John's being shown 'things... that shall be hereafter' and then charged to write them down.
Alternative generated candidates
- Write therefore the things you have seen, and the things that are now, and the things that will take place after these things.
- Write therefore the things that you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will take place after these things.
Rev.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μυστηριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- αστερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ειδες: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δεξιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- λυχνιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χρυσας·οι: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- αστερες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αγγελοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- εκκλησιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- λυχνιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- εκκλησιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Zechariah 4:2 (verbal): Describes a golden lampstand with seven lamps (and pipes) — closely parallels the image of a golden lampstand and seven lamps in Revelation's seven lampstands.
- Exodus 25:31-40 (allusion): Gives the tabernacle's golden lampstand (menorah) specification; Revelation's golden lampstands echo this cultic/temple imagery.
- Revelation 2:1 (verbal): Each letter is addressed 'to the angel of the church in…' — parallels 1:20's explicit identification of the seven stars as the angels of the seven churches.
- Revelation 12:4 (allusion): Speaks of stars as objects cast down by the dragon (often understood as angels/demons), supporting Revelation's use of 'stars' to denote heavenly beings/angels.
- Matthew 5:14 (thematic): 'You are the light of the world' links church/community to light imagery; thematically parallels Revelation's identification of lampstands with churches as bearers of light.
Alternative generated candidates
- As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
- As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and in the kingdom and patient endurance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
saying, "Write therefore what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, to Laodicea."
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
and in the midst of the lampstands one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and girded at the chest with a golden sash.
The hair of his head was white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were like a flame of fire.
His feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters.
In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword; and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.
When I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last,
and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.
Write therefore what you have seen, and what is, and what will take place after these things.
As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.