Revelation 1:19-20: Write therefore the things you have seen and the things to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
γράψον οὖν ἃ εἶδες καὶ ἃ εἰσὶν καὶ ἃ μέλλει γενέσθαι μετὰ ταῦτα. τὸ μυστήριον τῶν ἑπτὰ ἀστέρων οὓς εἶδες ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς μου καὶ τὰς ἑπτὰ λυχνίας τὰς χρυσᾶς· οἱ ἑπτὰ ἀστέρες ἄγγελοι τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησιῶν εἰσιν καὶ αἱ λυχνίαι αἱ ἑπτὰ ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαι εἰσίν.
John is now directed to write down his vision. These two verses prepare for the seven letters to the seven churches in the following two chapters. These things are “mysteries” until revealed. The visions are symbolic. The number seven represents completeness. The lamp stands recall the worship of the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament. These verses create an image of the gathered people of God in the major cities of Asia Minor, close to where John was exiled. Not all the mysterious symbols and images in Revelation are explained, but many are. There is always a deeper meaning that comes only through revelation. We should presume that we have received this revelation and can somehow decipher the code. More often than not, our response should simply be a sense of awe and reverence at the power of the Messiah. These two verses show that Jesus the Messiah has the seven churches in his hands. He can peer into them. He knows them. He is watching over them with his angels. He watches over all his people. Our response will depend on where we are in relationship with him. The following two chapters and seven letters offer different scenarios that may speak to us in different ways.
For older posts, click here.