A Revelation Invitation

“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.” (Revelation 1:20 ESV)

While most people view the entirety of Revelation as mysterious, it seems ironic that John would say that the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands are the mystery. The symbolism is pretty straightforward. Jesus explained that the stars are the angels of the seven churches and the golden lampstands are the seven churches. It doesn’t strain the mind to grasp their meaning. Could it be that the mystery is in understanding why he holds the stars and stands in the midst of the lampstands? Interestingly, there are few places in the book where John provides the interpretation of a symbol. This is one of them. What is the message behind these symbols?

• Loving care – The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches. Does this mean that each church has its own angel watching over it? It seems to. What are their roles regarding the churches? In Greek the word for angel is the same word for messenger. In chapters 2 and 3 Jesus dictates letters to the angels of the churches. When John records the message, the angel in turn is expected to communicate that letter to his church. In a sense God has entrusted each church to an angel who is expected to guide them through the coming tribulation with the love and care of a shepherd leading his flock.
• Protection/safety/security – Jesus holds the stars in his right hand. Considering that most people are right-handed, we associate the right hand with strength. By holding the star (or angel) in his right hand, Jesus conveys that he will protect his church through the coming tribulations. He has the power to do so. He has the heart to do so. He is committed to doing so. While on earth, Jesus told his disciples, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28 ESV).
• A light to the world – The churches are represented by lampstands. When he ministered on earth, Jesus taught his disciples that they were the light of the world. In this context his churches were going to stand out as beacons of light in the darkness of the Roman Empire. The light of God shining through them would draw all men to the Lord.
• Presence/fellowship – The one like a son of man was in the midst of the golden lampstands. Jesus was never far from his churches. He knew them because he walked among them. He was ever aware of their needs and concerns, their joys and sorrows, their faithfulness or their complacency. There is an intimacy between Jesus and the churches that may not be seen but is real nonetheless.

Jesus is all this for his churches today no less than he was for these seven churches in that ancient Roman province. Those seven churches were flawed, weak, sometimes complacent, sometimes scared, sometimes sinful. And Jesus loved them. His churches today suffer the same shortcomings. We should be reassured that Jesus loves and cares for us as well. We ought to be secure in his strength, too. We should be confident in his presence even with all of our faults and failures. He wants his churches to be lights to the world. His presence and gracious love should call us higher in fulfilling his mission in the world. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b ESV).

Son of man, you walk among your churches and send your angels to watch over and guide them. I am grateful for the loving care you give us and for the protection that you have built around us. It is wonderful to trust in your presence in the fellowship of believers. I pray that I along with all of your people shine brightly in this dark world as the lampstands that you have made us. Amen.