“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;”
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands — John's turning to see the source of the voice enacts the transition from audition to vision; the seven lampstands, as explained in verse 20, represent the seven churches. The lampstand recalls the menorah of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-39), signaling that the church fulfills Israel's priestly vocation as bearers of God's light.
Church Fathers on Revelation 1:12
“And I turned, and saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks one like the Son of man.” He says that He was like Him after His victory over death, when He had ascended into the heavens, after the union in His body of the power which He received from the Father with the spirit of His glory.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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