An Exegesis of Revelation 1:12-20
Aaron T. Hamer
NBST 610: Hermeneutics
September 2023
1
Introduction
Scholars believe The Book of Revelation was penned near the end of the 1st
century CE and during Roman Emperor Domitian’s reign (81-96 CE).1 This is based on
historical evidence and textual context. Some theories, however, propose an earlier
timeframe of being written during Nero's reign (54-68 CE).2 Revelation is a work of
apocalyptic literature. "apocalyptic" derives from the Greek word "to reveal." Christians
must believe that the Bible is a work of the supernatural that reveals God to His people.4
As such, there are passages throughout the Bible that are apocalyptic. The focus of this
paper is on the text of the Book of Revelation 1:12-20.
There have been several exegetical problems that scholars have debated over time
in Revelation 1:12-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible revision 2020). One of those
issues orbits the highly complex and symbolic language in these verses. Some challenges
are identifying the "Son of Man," the symbolism of the stars and lampstands, the
significance of the double-edged sword, and the relationship between John's vision and
the seven churches. This paper explores the vivid imagery and symbolism of the text and
its implications for understanding the entire book.
________________________
1 Walter E. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A
Historical and Theological Survey. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing
Company/Baker Academics, 2013.), 359.
2 Ibid, 359.
3 Ibid, 359.
4 William W. Klein, Craig L. Bloomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. Introduction
to Biblical Interpretation. Third Edition. (HarperCollins Publishing, 2017), 212.
2
Of Revelation by highlighting the importance of John's vision of Jesus Christ and its
significance for the Christian community.
Identifying the "Son of Man" in the passage is essential. John begins this part of
Revelation by describing someone "like a son of man" standing amid seven golden
lampstands. Some scholars interpret this figure as Jesus Christ.5 Others view the figure
as representing the collective church or some angelic form. This perspective is an
excellent example of how interpreters dare not interpret too literally, or their ideas will
blind them.6
John reports seeing seven lampstands and seven stars in the right hand of the
form. There is an assortment of interpretations subject to debate. As John directed
Revelation at Asia Minor, the seven lampstands are often viewed as representing their
seven churches. The stars are symbols of God's angels or messengers of the churches. A
common suggestion is that the two-edged sword from man's mouth is God's divine
authority or the Word of God.
Another challenge is developing an understanding of the relationship between the
vision itself and the seven churches. A solid argument is that the vision is a message of
encouragement and warning to the seven churches. Another way to view it is as
symbolism, where the churches represent the Christian community as it evolves
throughout history.
________________________
5 Stephanus D. Snyman. "The Trinity and the Old Testament," Verbatimet
Ecclesia. Volume 43, Issue 1. (2022): e2.
https://doaj.org/article/be38bfe7a05a44cfac55bd564f3ebfaa.
6 Klein, Bloomberg, and Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 564.
3
Outline
This passage is a noteworthy part of the Book of Revelation and the Bible. It
presents John's vision of the glorified form of Jesus Christ. Outlined here are the
descriptive elements as three distinct segments:
I. Vision of the Magnificent Christ (verses 12-16)
a. John turns around to see who is speaking to him (verse 12)
b. The description of the seven lampstands (verse 13)
c. Christ appears in His glory (verses 13-16)
d. Clothing (verse 13)
e. Attributes (verses 14-15)
f. Authority and power (verse 16)
II. Commissioning to Write and Send (verses 17-19)
a. John's reaction and Christ's reassuring him (verses 17-18)
b. Commissioning to Write What John Hears and Sees (verse 19)
III. The Stars and Lampstands Explained (verse 20)
a. Mystery of the stars (verse 20)
b. Meaning of the lampstands (verse 20)
When dissevered, it emphasizes the descriptive elements of the text. It also highlights
that the Lord commissions John to record all he witnesses and the vision's symbolism
explained.
Background
The subject passage from Revelation is also known as the Apocalypse of John.
This book is the most challenging of the New Testament texts.7 This is the final Book of
the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The exact authorship, date, and origin is
another topic debated for centuries; however, it is believed to be written by John the
Apostle and is considered a significant segment of the New Testament.
________________________
7 Francis J. Moloney. "The Book of Revelation: Hope in Dark Times," Religions.
Volume 10, Issue 4. (April 2019): 1, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/4/239.
4
Many scholars agree that the recipients were the seven churches mentioned in the
text.8 This Book is known for its apocalyptic language, symbolic nature, and the
messages conveyed to John by Jesus Christ. When John was at his exiled location on the
island of Patmos, he had the vision.9 His vision is of Jesus in a long white robe among
seven lampstands and holding seven stars. The symbolic imagery used in the text
suggests diverse meanings and interpretations.
John falls to his knees because he fears the Lord.10 But God comforts him as He
wants John to listen to him, write down his experiences, and spread the word of what he
saw. God's statement of "what will take place after this" is His reference to the remainder
of the Book of Revelation.11
Historical Context
Note that the text's audience cannot ignore that God delivered his message to
certain people at a specific time. God's word to us was initially His word to those who
came before us, and we must respect this fact.12 Although done in ancient times, it is very
relevant in acting upon His word. We must honor
________________________
8 Moloney, “The Book of Revelation,” 3.
9 Ibid, 2.
10 Chad Brand. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Revised and Expanded.
(Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2015.) 1622.
11 Ibid, 1622.
12 J. Scott Duval and J. Daniel Hays. A Hands-On Approach to Reading,
Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Fourth Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Academic, 2020), 111.
Those chosen by the Lord and honor how He chose to communicate it.13
5
Primarily, the text of Revelation holds significant historical and religious
importance. It tackles several topics, such as eschatology, the conflict between the forces
of good and evil, the hope held by believers in Christ, and God's ultimate triumph over
Satan. John reveals the last days and God's promise of reward and punishment and
provides hope on a New Earth and Heaven.14
The allegory and prophetic landscape of the passages have drawn diverse
interpretations over time. Because it has been hundreds or thousands of years since the
writing of the books of the Bible, we must adhere to the principle that a biblical text is
only valid if it is consistent with its historical and cultural contexts.15 Consistency relies
on accurate information. Inaccurate information is a pitfall to avoid in the interpretation
of biblical text.16 It is an intriguing and rich book from anyone from believers in the Lord
to theologians to biblical scholars. Notably, the aspects identified will continue to be
areas of discussion, research, and interpretation and will always need more than complete
agreement.
Establishing the context of the churches in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) is
vital. Five of the seven cities of the time were Ephesus, Smyrna,
________________________
13 Duval and Hays. A Hands-On, 111.
14 Hanré Janse Van Rensburg. "The Revelations of Revelation: The Book That
Fits, Even When It Does Not," HTS Theological Studies. Volume 44, Issue 4. (July 13,
2021): e2, https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6476.
15 Duval and Hays. A Hands-On, 112.
16 Ibid, 119.
6
Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. Each was important because of their varied social and
cultural backgrounds. These cities have a common theme of not having done enough to
bring the Lord to others or walking away from Him.
The port city of Ephesus was known for its religious diversity and commercial
endeavors. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world, the Temple of Artemis, was
in Ephesus.17 The population was diverse, and with Christianity, they worshipped various
other deities.
Smyrna, present-day Izmir, was a famed wealthy trade and commerce location.
The community was primarily Jewish, with a strong allegiance to Rome.18 They
persecuted Christians here, and the pressure of the rest of the population often tested their
faith.
Pergamum was a political center full of culture. Its allegiance to Rome and the
emperor was unwavering. Christians struggled with living faithfully in this environment
of imperial cultism. Although Satan’s Throne is not a specific place, Pergamum could be
referenced as such because, in Asia Minor, it was the center of Roman opposition to
Christianity. 19
________________________
17 “Ephesus: Splendour of Yore." The Sunday Observer, Jan 15, 2023,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/
newspapers/ephesus-splendour-yore/docview/2765407411/se-2.
18 Stephen Winrow. "The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation: A
Commentary and Guide," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society: Lynchburg.
Volume 66, Issue 1. (March 2023): 201.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2830354824.
19 Jeffrey A. D. Welma. Paul the Ancient Letter Writer: An Introduction to
Epistolary Analysis. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Company/Baker Academics,
2016), 129.
7
Thyatira's commercial and industrial city was diverse in religious practices
, including several gods and cults that worshipped the emperor. This city is "the church
of idolatrous compromise."20 In this place, Christians were engaging in sacrilegious
behavior and sexual immorality.
The ancient capital of Sardis centered around industry filled with dyes and
textiles. However, by the time John penned Revelation, some of its glory had faded. It
had settled into "the church of deadly complacency."21
Revelation addresses these examples of the cultural and social context of the time.
Each of them was unique, with its flourishing times and its challenges. Part of the
writing of Revelation is to identify the situations and struggles of these places.
Literary Context
The passage of Revelation 1:12-20 sets the tone for the entire book. The book
reveals that Jesus' death and resurrection are the purposes of God's intervention into
human affairs from the beginning of recorded time in Israel.22 Verses 12-20 serves as the
introduction to the argument and
theme of the text. The utilization of symbolic and sometimes mind-boggling language
wrapped around powerful imagery hints at the violent intrusion of God during the end of
________________________
20 Winrow. "The Sermons," 202.
21 Winrow. "The Sermons," 201.
22 Moloney, “The Book of Revelation,” 4.
Times where He conquers all evil.23 This unveils the Son of Man as Jesus Christ and evil
crushed by God.
8
John witnesses Jesus Christ in his divine form. He is standing surrounded by the
seven lampstands representing the seven churches. These churches are to whom God,
through John, is addressing in the text. The picture of Jesus is painted as a man with eyes
aflame, hair as white as snow, and His voice booming like roaring waters. In his right
hand are stars representing the seven churches' angels (or messengers). This passage's
literary context brings forth Jesus' divinity and authority. He declares Himself as the
"Alpha and Omega" and the "First and the Last ."These are indicative of the Lord's
eternal nature and supremacy overall. The Lord commissions 24 John to write down
everything he witnesses and deliver it to the seven churches, emphasizing His message
for them.
This passage of the Book of Revelation sets the stage for the text's prophetic
vision and apocalyptic message. Conveyed to the audience at this point is an essential
point of this passage. It reinforces to Christians that Jesus, in His divine state, is ever
present in their lives, how He loves and cares for His servants, and how he leads them to
find and fulfill their calling as believers.25 The themes of redemption, hope, and divine
judgment are rooted in the text and expounded upon throughout the book.
________________________
23 Moloney, “The Book of Revelation,” 9.
24 Chad Brand. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 49
25 Daniel Mihoc. “Theological Perspectives From St. John’s Revelation,”
Hervormde Teologiese Studies, Volume 79, Issue 1. (2023): 3.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2777564427.
The imagery in the Apocalypse of John draws from several areas that include his
personal Revelation, the Old Testament, Hebrew apocalyptic literature, historical context,
9
and cultural context. John begins the book with a powerful proclamation that the
revelations he received were directly from Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1). This statement
suggests that the imagery was not of his imagination. Divine inspiration reveals the
images to John.
Apocalyptic literature is throughout the Bible in books such as Daniel, Elijah,
Ezekial, and Ezra. Theological traits of apocalyptic thought are:
The sovereignty of God
The transcendence of God
Cosmic struggles of God vs. Satan (good vs evil)
Pessimism with the present time
God will always prevail
The fading away of human wisdom and strength.26
Many interpreters suggest that the Apocalypse of John uniquely illustrates
Christian apocalyptic literature from the late first century.27 John references Jewish
scripture and apocalyptic sources. He depicts Jesus by pulling from Old Testament text.
This action is done throughout the New Testament, allowing the Old Testament
"background to fill in the significance of illusions."28 The divine attributes and authority
possessed by Jesus are borrowed from the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and
Psalms. John appropriated the prominent Jewish apocalyptic genre of his time. This
literature was rich in symbolism and extreme imagery that depicted the divine realm and
________________________
26 Elwell and Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament, 41-42
27 Moloney, “The Book of Revelation,” 4.
28 Klein, Bloomberg, and Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 366.
cosmic events foretold. John's reiterated use of this type of imagery sheds light on the
role of Jesus Christ in God’s plan.
10
The religious climate and the social and political elements of John's time are
sources used to create his writing. An example in Revelation is the Jesus depicted as the
slain Lamb of God. This representation is reflective of the Roman imperial cult practices
or the Jewish Temple's sacrificial system that, for the most part, ceased following the
destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem.29
Of note is the complex nature and symbolism employed by John. Throughout
history, various sects of the Jewish and Christian faiths extensively interpret his writing.
The various sources of imagery used by John are emphasized differently by scholars.
The lampstands of Revelation in verses 13-15 are like the Son of Man with a
golden sash around His chest, hair white as snow, eyes like flames, bronze feet, voice of
cascading waters. They are representative of the seven churches in Asia Minor.30 John
addresses each of these churches in the following chapters. Some scholars believe that
the seven stars represent angels or those that lead the seven churches.31 This passage is
meant to emphasize the power of
Jesus Christ and His divine authority over the seven churches.
________________________
29 Curtis Hutt. "A Threefold Heresy: Reassessing Jewish, Christian, and Islamic
Animal Sacrifice in Late Antiquity," History of Religions. Volume 58, Issue 3. (2019): 3,
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/700582.
30 Klein, Bloomberg, and Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 564.
31 Mihoc. “Theological Perspectives,” 4.
The stars of Revelation symbolize angels. The Greek word "mystery" means
something unknown but revealed. The angels may have possibly functioned as guardian
angels of the seven churches.32 Angels are the heavenly beings that play a significant role
11
in the apocalyptic events of the End Times described in the text. The angels exemplify
what it means to be in communion with the Lord and how they participate in His glory.33
The angels are depicted as formidable, awe-inspiring spirits. They are radiant beings
with multiple eyes and wings. Throughout the timeline of Revelation, God asks them to
guide the believers, preserve righteousness, and follow through with God's judgment.
Conclusion
The point of John's vision while exiled on Patmos is not singular. It is the
Revelation of the glorified form of Jesus Christ. John's witness of Him holding stars
among lampstands emphasizes Jesus' sovereignty over the churches and his divine
authority. This passage intends to encourage believers and provide them comfort in their
faith.
It also delivers a message to the seven churches. Each church has its specific message
and instructions from God. John takes the messages he receives from the Lord and
delivers them to each. Although they have different messages, they must repent,
persevere in the face of opposition, and remain faithful to the Lord.
________________________
32 Brand. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1622.
33 Mihoc. “Theological Perspectives,” 6.
Additionally, the Lord’s purpose in John's vision is to reassure and encourage him.
It means to do the same for those that read Revelation. The awe-inspiring and majestic
descriptions of Jesus and the declaration of His presence means to comfort and strengthen
12
God’s children so they may be strong in the face of difficulty and persecution. Christians
are to know that Jesus reigns and walks with them on their journeys.
13
Bibliography
Blum, Edward A. Christian Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers,
2018.
Brand, Chad. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Revised and Expanded. B&H
Publishing Group: Nashville, TN, 2015.
Duval, J. Scott Duvall and Hays, J. Daniel. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On
Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible, Fourth Edition.
Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Elwell, Walter E. Elwell and Yarbrough, Robert W. Encountering the New Testament: A
Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing
Company/Baker Academics, 2013.
“Ephesus: Splendour of Yore." The Sunday Observer, Jan 15, 2023,
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/ne
wspapers/ephesus-splendour-yore/docview/2765407411/se-2.
Hutt, Curtis. "A Threefold Heresy: Reassessing Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Animal
Sacrifice In Late Antiquity," History of Religions. Volume 58, Issue 3. (2019):
251-276, https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/700582.
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Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.
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Biblical Interpretation." Third Edition. HarperCollins Publishing, 2017.
Mihoc, Daniel. "Theological Perspectives From St. John’s Revelation,” Hervormde
Teologiese Studies, Volume 79, Issue 1. (2023). 1-7.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2777564427
Moloney, Francis J. "The Book of Revelation: Hope in Dark Times," Religions. Volume
10, Issue 4. (April 2019): 239, https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/4/239.
Snyman, Stephanus D. "The Trinity and the Old Testament," Verbatimet Ecclesia.
Volume 43, Issue 1. (2022): e1-e7. https://doaj.org/article/
Van Rensburg, Hanré Janse. "The Revelations of Revelation: The Book That Fits Even
When It Does Not," HTS Theological Studies. Volume 44, Issue 4. (July 13,
2021): e1-e12, https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6476.
Welma, Jeffery A. D. Paul the Ancient Letter Writer: An Introduction to Epistolary
14
Analysis. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Company/Baker Academics,
2016.
Winrow, Stephen. "The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation: A Commentary
and Guide," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society: Lynchburg. Volume
66, Issue 1. (March 2023): 200-202.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2830354824
