V. 11.—­Christ speaks, asserting his eternity, and consequently his equality with the Father.  This book being written in the Greek language, our Saviour names and appropriates to himself the first and last letters of the alphabet in that language, and gives the interpretation,—­“the first and the last,” as in v. 8.  John is directed to write and send to the seven churches all that is contained in this last book of the Bible.  The churches are named here, and in the second and third chapters they are addressed severally in a letter to each.  It may be noted that besides the general commission to preach the gospel to every creature, apostles had a special call to write; and sometimes a prohibition,—­“write not,” (ch. x. 4.) Many of the most learned and godly divines whom we would consider best qualified, have never left any writings for the instruction of posterity; whilst others less qualified, either in respect of literature or piety, or not at all qualified, have filled the world with books without a special call from Christ. (John xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.)

12.  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And, being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13.  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15.  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

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 shineth in his strength.

Vs. 12-16.—­His attention being arrested, the apostle “turned to see the voice,”—­that is, the person from whom the voice came.  A glorious vision was presented to his view,—­“seven golden candlesticks” or lamp-bearers, in allusion to the golden candlestick with the seven lamps as placed in the tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 31-40.) “In the midst of the candlesticks appeared one like unto the Son of man,” the Mediator, clothed in sacerdotal garments, supplying oil for the light, after the example of Aaron and his sons. (Exod. xxvii. 20, 21.) The “garment” may signify his mediatorial righteousness,—­the “golden girdle” the preciousness of his love,—­“his head and his hairs white like wool,” his purity and eternity,—­“his eyes as a flame of fire,” his omniscience, by which he searches the reins and hearts, and sees the end from the beginning; “his feet like unto fine brass,” the stability of his appointments and the excellency of his providential dispensations,—­“his voice,” the irresistible energy of his word to quicken, terrify or destroy at his pleasure. (John v. 25, Heb. xii. 26.) “The sharp two-edged sword” will represent his awful justice against the impenitent who resist his righteous authority.  “With