9 I, John, am your brother and partner in the suffering that’s typical of those who follow Yeshua. I’ve been exiled to Patmos Island where I endure because I believe God’s message and Yeshua’s testimony and look forward to his kingdom. 10 One Sunday while meditating, God’s spirit gave me a vision, and I heard a voice behind me that seemed as loud as a trumpet blast 11 that said, “Write down what you see here on a scroll and send it to the seven assemblies of believers—to the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see who was talking to me, and I saw seven golden lamp holders, 13 and standing among them was a man who looked like humanity’s child,[fn] wearing a long robe with a golden sash around His chest.[ref] 14 His hair was gleaming white like wool or snow and his eyes were bright like a fiery flame.[ref] 15 His feet shone like bronze that had been refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of a river of rushing water.[ref] 16 He was holding seven stars in his right hand and a sharp sword was extending from his mouth, and his face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 And when I saw him, I quickly lay at his feet, breathless like a dead man, but he placed his right hand on me, and told me, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last.[ref] 18 I lived and died here on the earth, but look, now I’m alive again and will live for all eternity, and I control the keys over death and over hell. 19 So record what you’re seeing now as well as what I’ll show you about current and future events. 20 This is the meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lamp holders:[ref] The seven stars represent God’s messengers watching over those seven groups of believers,[ref] and the seven lamp holders represent those groups of believers.