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however has been translated by Alford, Rotherham, Moses Stuart, Dr. Bullinger
and others as follows:
`Write therefore what things thou sawest, and what they are,
even what
things are about to happen hereafter'.
Verse 20 immediately does this very thing:
(1)
John has seen the seven stars and the seven lampstands.
(2)
He is told what they signify, viz., angels and churches.
(3)
He therefore knew that these were to be hereafter.
The structure of the Revelation as a whole shows that the bulk of the
prophecy is a sevenfold alternation, covering chapters 4 to 20. As a test of
the relationship of these seven churches with the rest of the book, we will
place the first church over against the first of these pairs, calling it pro-
visionally `The Ephesus Period'; the second over against the second pair, and
so on to the end. The results of such an arrangement are indicated in the
following table:
The Ephesus Church
In the midst seven stars in right hand.
(2:1-7).
Threat to remove lampstand out of its place.
The Ephesus Period
In the midst seven-sealed book in right hand.
(4:1 to 7:3).
Seven lamps, eyes, spirits. Mountains
and islands `moved' (same word as above) out of
their places.
The Smyrna Church
Tribulation; faithful unto death;
(2:8-11).
second death; hurt.
The Smyrna Period
The great tribulation; two witnesses slain;
(7:9 to 11:14).
death; slay; hurt.
The Pergamos Church
Hold fast My Name; Satan's throne;
(2:12-17).
the hidden manna; the doctrine of Balaam.
The Pergamos Period
Fear Thy Name; the kingdoms of this
(11:15-19).
world become Christ's.
The Thyatira Church
The woman Jezebel; the morning star;
(2:18-29).
the rod of iron; depths of Satan;
keep works; faith and patience; false
prophetess; her children killed.
The Thyatira Period
Woman clothed with sun; the twelve stars;
(12 and 13).
the rod of iron; Satan; keep commandment;
patience and faith; false prophet; God's
children killed.
The Sardis Church
A few with undefiled garments;
(3:1-6).
they shall walk with Me in white;