Part 6...

 16  And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.

 Next... John sees that in Christ's right hand are seven stars.

Another symbol needing explanation. In a few moments we will find out. 

 "Out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword"... 

 This speaks of the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). 

This comes out of the mouth of Christ. 

It is the Word of God, and not of man; and as a sharp sword, contains sharp reproofs for sin, severe threatening’s against it, and gives cutting convictions of it. 

 It is a two edged one...

 By its two edges may mean Law and Gospel. 

• The Law lays open the sins of men, fills with grief and anguish for them, yes, it not only wounds, but kills. 

• The Gospel cuts down the best in man, his wisdom, holiness, righteousness, and carnal privileges, in which he trusts. 

• The Gospel cuts down the worst in man, teaching him to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. 

 The Word of God may be so called, because it is a means both of saving and of destroying. 

It is the savour of life unto life to some, and the savour of death unto death to others. 

 It is both an offensive and defensive weapon. 

 It is for the defence of the saints, against Satan, false teachers, and every other enemy... and an offensive one to them, which cuts them down, and destroys them and their principles.

 Or... this may mean the judiciary sentence of Christ upon the wicked, which will be a fighting against them, and a smiting of the nations of the world ☆ Revelation 19:15).

(Modified notes from Gill)

 "His countenance was as the sun shines in his strength..."

Christ's face was radiant like the sun... expressing His glory, holiness and splendour...

 ☆ 2 Samuel 23:4...

"And He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds... "

 17  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last...

 John was so smitten by the glorified Christ, so overwhelmed by what he saw that he collapsed (he fell at His feet as dead).

Jesus laid His right hand on John and said, "Don't be afraid... I am the first and the last."

John would have had an instant peace flow through him.

He had heard his Master say "Fear not!" often enough during His earthly ministry.

 

"I am the first and the last" is an expression used by God when He is about to comfort His people, and remove their fears.

It is used by Christ for the same purpose here.

It is a proof of His true and proper deity, and is expressive of His eternity, and also of His dignity and excellency.

 18  I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 Jesus reminds John that He was dead (past tense)... but is definitely alive (present tense)...

not only was He alive but He was alive forever more (future tense). Hallelujah!

 Jesus adds an "Amen" to it... in other words this is surely so, this is truly so!

Remember, John was one of the first to find the empty tomb and discover that Jesus had risen from the dead.

 Jesus also tells John that He also has the keys of hell and death.

Jesus destroyed the Devil's power over hell and death... by His death on the Cross and His resurrection three days later.

Hell and death are no longer to be feared.

"I have the keys..." is an expression of the sovereignty, power, and authority of Christ.

 

☆ Hebrews 2:14...

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, Jesus also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil."

 

☆ John 11:25-26...

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die... "

 19  Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

 This verse is really a brief overview (synopsis - a breakdown if you like) of the whole book of Revelation.

 • "The things which you have seen"... an account of the vision which John just had. ☆ Revelation 1.

 • "The things which are"... the condition of the church at the present time, which John is about to be given.

☆ Revelation 2 and 3.

 • "The things which shall be hereafter"... the events that will take place in the future. ☆ Revelation 4 to 22.

 And John has been told by the Lord to "write down the things..."

  20  The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

 The Lord now explains the mystery of the stars and the candlesticks.

 The seven stars in His right hand are symbolic of the angels of the seven churches. The star is the symbol. The angel is the reality.

 "Angel" comes from the Greek word "aggelos" means... a messenger... especially an angel... and by implication a pastor.

 "... in His right hand"... is metaphorically a place of honour or authority. 

The star... the angel... the pastor is in the right hand of Jesus... is in a place of honour and authority.

A place of God given honour and authority.

 It is comforting to know that each church has an angel... a ministering angel, a protecting angel, even a warring angel.

 Paul writes in...

☆ Hebrews 1:14...

"Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

 And... it is comforting to know that these "angels" are in Christ's hand. They are in His charge and care. 

 The seven golden candlesticks or lampstands represent the seven churches.

A candlestick is a very apt symbol for the church.

Both give light.

Both are light bearers... 

The church is a light giver in a dark world of confusion, corruption and uncertainty.

Didn't Jesus say you and I are the lights of the world?

 ☆ Matthew 5:14- 16...

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

 The candlesticks are made of gold. Gold is a precious metal of worth.

The Church is very precious to Jesus.

 It is very comforting to know that Christ walks in the midst of the churches (☆ Revelation 1:13).

Back in Genesis... "God walked in the garden in the cool of the day" with Adam and Eve.

 Jesus is interested in intimacy, communion, fellowship and relationship with His people... not religion. 

 He is vitally interested in what happens in His church that He gave His life for... and that He is coming for.

We the believers are His body... we are members of one another.

And Jesus is the Head of this body. 

Jesus loves His church.

He guides, directs and nourishes His church through the power of the Holy Spirit.