v 9-11 John introduces himself to us in his letter as "your brother, and companion in tribulation". Not the "Great Tribulation", but trouble nonetheless, stranded out on the Island of Patmos. John says he was "in the Spirit" on the Lords Day and v10 informs us and he met the risen Jesus, who said to John "I am Alpha and Omega', the first and the last", harkening back to v8, and instructs John to pen a letter to the Seven Churches.
vv12-15 John sees seven candlesticks and in their midst, "one like unto the Son of Man' with hair white and like wool, eyes that were a flame of fire, feet like unto fine brass, and the voice with a sound of many waters.
v16-v19 John sees the Son of Man with seven stars in his right hand and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword with a countenance shining as the sun. Jesus identifies Himself a third time in verse 18; "I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" In verse 19, Jesus instructs John to write down the things which he has seen, things which are, and things which shall be hereafter. Note the future tense! This is a futuristic book primarily, not just a book explaining things that were past or present in John's day. This is critical to grasp to develop a solid hermeneutic for understanding Revelation.
V20 We learn directly from Jesus that the stars in His right hand are the "angels or messengers", the pastors or elders of these churches and that the seven golden candlesticks represent these seven churches.
The Lord Jesus is head of the Church, actively involved and we are embodied in Him down here, doing a continuation of His ministry, not just living according to some vain religious precepts, rules, and traditions. There is nothing wrong with precepts, rules and traditions, just so long as they are subordinate to following the person of the Living King, Jesus Christ. When Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler who seemingly followed all the Torah laws and rules, went away disappointed not just because Jesus asked him to give all his great possessions to the poor, but a command to "follow me".
Following the risen Jesus means picking up our cross daily, dying to ourself and following him minute by minute, day by day. It's a lot easier on the flesh to obey "cardinal sin rules" than to give away everything material and the hardest of all, yourself and submit, follow, and obey someone - albeit the risen, glorified son of God!
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