Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars that you see in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands.

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: "This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead!

Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

In the dawn of that day the stars sang together, and the heavenly beings shouted for joy.

It grew strong enough to attack the army of heaven, the stars themselves, and it threw some of them to the ground and trampled on them.

The wise leaders will shine with all the brightness of the sky. And those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars forever."

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: "This is the message from the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Now turn from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon and fight against those people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.

Out of his mouth came a sharp sword, with which he will defeat the nations. He will rule over them with a rod of iron, and he will trample out the wine in the wine press of the furious anger of the Almighty God.

Their armies were killed by the sword that comes out of the mouth of the one who was riding the horse; and all the birds ate all they could of their flesh.

he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die.

He made my words as sharp as a sword. With his own hand he protected me. He made me like an arrow, sharp and ready for use.

And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down out of heaven. He was wrapped in a cloud and had a rainbow around his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like columns of fire.

The moon will grow dark, and the sun will no longer shine, for the LORD Almighty will be king. He will rule in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, and the leaders of the people will see his glory.

"No longer will the sun be your light by day Or the moon be your light by night; I, the LORD, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you.

Your days of grief will come to an end. I, the LORD, will be your eternal light, More lasting than the sun and moon.

But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.

It was on the road at midday, Your Majesty, that I saw a light much brighter than the sun, coming from the sky and shining around me and the men traveling with me.