He speaks of seven stars and seven lampstands. The lampstands are the seven churches, which are expected to be bright and shining lights; the stars are their angels, or their leaders. Jesus holds these stars in his right hand: they are secure in him, and dependent on him.
Ephesus was a major city of the Roman province of Asia. The letter in Revelation 2 is addressed here. Paul spent time in the city, and two church councils met here in the fifth century. Walkers still follow the marble street to the Library of Celsus and the theatre.
Above the site, a house is remembered as a place where Mary stayed. On the hill of Ayasuluk stands the basilica built over the tradition of John’s burial. Both are visited with Ephesus. They are not the letter itself. The letter is the reason the city is on this pilgrimage.