1:8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. I am Alpha and Omega... These are the names of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and signify the same as what follows: The beginning and the end: the first cause and last end of all beings: who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty... These words signify the true God only, and are here applied to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is to come again to judge the living and the dead. 1:9. I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus. 1:10. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 1:11. Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. 1:12. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks: 1:13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 1:14. And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire: 1:15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as the sound of many waters. 1:16. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his power. 1:17. And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, 1:18. And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell. 1:19. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen: and which are: and which must be done hereafter. 1:20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Apocalypse Chapter 2 Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus and Thyatira. 2:1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 2:2. I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them that are evil. And thou hast tried them who say they are apostles and are not: and hast found them liars: 2:3. And thou hast patience and hast endured for my name and hast not fainted. 2:4. But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity.