Who Were The Angels Of The Seven Churches In Revelation?
The Seven Stars Are The Angels Of The Seven Churches
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Rev 1:20)
The original Greek for ‘Angels’ in this verse means ‘Angel, a Messenger’ All the Commentators agree it refers to the Pastor, Bishop, or Overseer of each of the seven Churches. A mystery remains then, as to why the word Angel is used.
Barnes Commentary says: It is evidently implied that the meaning of these symbols would be beyond the ordinary powers of the human mind to arrive at with certainty, and hence John was directed to explain the symbol. The general and obvious truths which they would serve to convey would be that the ministers of the churches, and the churches themselves, were designed to be lights in the world, and should burn clearly and steadily.
The common meaning of the word may be employed to denote anyone who is a messenger, and hence, with propriety, anyone who is employed to communicate the will of another; to transact his business, or, more remotely, to act in his place — to be a representative. Unquote
