The Scripture here reveals that the revelation of Jesus Christ is for the things that will come to pass in the time at hand.
Jesus’ position as the firstborn of the dead and Prince of the kings of the earth is central. Jesus has many forms: as the Living Water (John 4:10–14), Word becoming flesh (John 1:14), Son of Man (Matthew 18:11; Daniel 7:13), and Bread of Life (John 6:35). Revelation 1:15 describes Jesus’ voice as “the sound of many waters,” which can be compared to Genesis 1:1–2, where God’s Spirit and Word hovered over the waters at creation. Revelation also identifies Him as the Alpha and Omega, highlighting His eternal position.
We ought to remember Christ’s position and standing with God when tribulation comes. This is exemplified in Daniel 3:25, where Jesus’ position and presence with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire is revealed. He was the fourth man in the fire during their trial and tribulation. Moreover, Revelation highlights how they overcame their trials—not by escaping danger, but by saying that even if God did not save them, they would not bow to the idols. They literally fought for the kingdom of God with patience, trusting in Him. Revelation presents this as the kingdom of Jesus Christ and the patience of Christ, through which they overcame. We may live under different kingdoms of this world, but the one kingdom to which we surrender is the kingdom of God.
Why, then, was the Son of Man seen in the midst of the seven candlesticks? What does it mean? Daniel 3:25 says:
“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Here in Daniel, there is no detailed description of Jesus’ form, because He had not yet been fully revealed as both God and Man. Only a human form was revealed in the fire. In Revelation 1:14, His form is described in detail, with His eyes like a flame of fire. Fire usually signifies judgment (Isaiah 66:15–16; Revelation 20:15; Luke 3:17; Malachi 4:1) or a testing/trial (1 Corinthians 3:12–13; Zechariah 13:9; Job 23:10; Proverbs 17:3; Malachi 3:2–3).
We should also remember what Jesus said:
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.”
— Matthew 6:22–23
Revelation 1:14 tells us that His eyes were like a flame of fire, indicating judgment or trial. At this revelation, He was in the midst of the seven candlesticks (his position). Here, He is described as “one like the Son of Man”—revealed with a human form. His head, hair, feet, and garment are described because He had already appeared to humanity in a visible form. In contrast, in Daniel 3 His form was not described. Revelation 1:16 further describes His countenance.
Revelation 1:20 clarifies that the seven stars in Jesus’ right hand (Revelation 1:16) are the angels of the seven churches, and the candlesticks are the seven churches. The candlesticks symbolize Jesus’ illumination to the world, with the angels helping to reveal this to the churches. Notice in Revelation 1:16 that after describing His right hand holding the seven stars, it says that out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
The candlesticks represent the churches. Hence, this is a heavenly event in which Jesus’ form is like that of man, not His full divine nature.
So, while there’s a mystery about the 7 stars, he is still alive but was dead behold he is alive forevermore.
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Creation & Word │
│ Genesis 1:1–2 │
│ Spirit and Word over waters │
└─────────────┬──────────────┘
│
▼
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Daniel 3:25 – Trial │
│ Jesus as 4th Man in Fire │
│ Human form revealed │
│ Protection of faithful │
└─────────────┬──────────────┘
│
▼
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Matthew 6:22–23 │
│ Eye = lamp of body │
│ Healthy eye → full of light │
│ Unhealthy eye → darkness │
└─────────────┬──────────────┘
│
▼
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Revelation 1:14–16 │
│ “One like the Son of Man” │
│ Eyes = flames of fire │
│ Head, hair, feet, garment │
│ Right hand holds 7 stars │
│ Mouth = sharp two-edged sword│
└─────────────┬──────────────┘
│
┌────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼┌───────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────┐
│ Seven Candlesticks │ │ Seven Stars │
│ = 7 Churches │ │ = Angels of 7 churches│
│ Illuminate Jesus to │ │ Help reveal Jesus │
│ the world │ │ │
└───────────────────────┘ └───────────────────────┘