Teks -- Revelation 1:19-20 (NET)

1:19 Therefore write what you saw, what is, and what will be after these things. 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Rev 1:19 - Therefore

Therefore ( oun ).

In view of Christ’ s words about himself in Rev 1:18 and the command in Rev 1:11.

Robertson: Rev 1:19 - Which thou sawest

Which thou sawest ( ha eides ).

The vision of the Glorified Christ in Rev 1:13-18.

Robertson: Rev 1:19 - The things which are

The things which are ( ha eisin ).

Plural verb (individualising the items) though ha is neuter plural, certainly the messages to the seven churches (1:20-3:22) in relation to the world in general, possibly also partly epexegetic or explanatory of ha eides .

Robertson: Rev 1:19 - The things which shall come to pass hereafter

The things which shall come to pass hereafter ( ha mellei ginesthai meta tauta ).

Present middle infinitive with mellei , though both aorist and future are also used. Singular verb here (mellei ) blending in a single view the future. In a rough outline this part begins in Rev 4:1 and goes to end of chapter 22, though the future appears also in chapters 2 and 3 and the present occurs in 4 to 22 and the elements in the vision of Christ (Rev 1:13-18) reappear repeatedly.

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - The mystery of the seven stars

The mystery of the seven stars ( to mustērion tōn hepta asterōn ).

On the word mustērion see note on Mat 13:11; and note on 2Th 2:7; and note on Col 1:26. Here it means the inner meaning (the secret symbol) of a symbolic vision (Swete) as in Rev 10:7; Rev 13:18; Rev 17:7, Rev 17:9; Dan 2:47. Probably the accusative absolute (Charles), "as for the mystery"(Robertson, Grammar , pp. 490, 1130), as in Rom 8:3. This item is picked out of the previous vision (Rev 1:16) as needing explanation at once and as affording a clue to what follows (Rev 2:1, Rev 2:5).

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - Which

Which ( hous ).

Masculine accusative retained without attraction to case of asterōn (genitive, hōn ).

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - In my right hand

In my right hand ( epi tēs dexias mou ).

Or "upon,"but en tēi , etc., in Rev 1:16.

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - And the seven golden candlesticks

And the seven golden candlesticks ( kai tas hepta luchnias tas chrusās ).

"The seven lampstands the golden,"identifying the stars of Rev 1:16 with the lampstands of Rev 1:12. The accusative case here is even more peculiar than the accusative absolute mustērion , since the genitive luchniōn after mustērion is what one would expect. Charles suggests that John did not revise his work.

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - The angels of the seven churches

The angels of the seven churches ( aggeloi tōn hepta ekklēsiōn ).

Anarthrous in the predicate (angels of, etc.). "The seven churches"mentioned in Rev 1:4, Rev 1:11. Various views of aggelos here exist. The simplest is the etymological meaning of the word as messenger from aggellō (Mat 11:10) as messengers from the seven churches to Patmos or by John from Patmos to the churches (or both). Another view is that aggelos is the pastor of the church, the reading tēn gunaika sou (thy wife) in Rev 2:20 (if genuine) confirming this view. Some would even take it to be the bishop over the elders as episcopos in Ignatius, but a separate aggelos in each church is against this idea. Some take it to be a symbol for the church itself or the spirit and genius of the church, though distinguished in this very verse from the churches themselves (the lampstands). Others take it to be the guardian angel of each church assuming angelic patrons to be taught in Mat 18:10; Act 12:15. Each view is encompassed with difficulties, perhaps fewer belonging to the view that the "angel"is the pastor.

Robertson: Rev 1:20 - Are seven churches

Are seven churches ( hepta ekklēsiai eisin ).

These seven churches (Rev 1:4, Rev 1:11) are themselves lampstands (Rev 1:12) reflecting the light of Christ to the world (Mat 5:14-16; Joh 8:12) in the midst of which Christ walks (Rev 1:13).

Vincent: Rev 1:19 - Write

Write

See on Rev 1:11. Add therefore .

Vincent: Rev 1:19 - The things which are

The things which are ( ἅ εἰσιν )

Some render, what they are ; i . e ., what they signify; but the reference of μετὰ ταῦτα after these , hereafter to ἅ εἰσιν which are , seems to be decisive in favor of the former rendering, which besides is the more natural.

Vincent: Rev 1:19 - Shall be

Shall be ( μέλλει γίνεσθαι )

Not the future of the verb to be , but are about (μέλλει ) to come to pass (γίνεσθαι ). Compare Rev 1:1, " must come to pass." Here the thought is not the prophetic necessity , but the sequence of events.

Vincent: Rev 1:20 - Mystery

Mystery ( μυστήριον )

See on Mat 13:11. Depending in construction upon the verb write , and in apposition with the things which thou sawest .

Vincent: Rev 1:20 - Stars

Stars

Symbols of pre-eminence and authority. See Num 24:17; Dan 12:3. False teachers are wandering stars (Jud 1:13). Compare Isa 14:12.

Vincent: Rev 1:20 - Angels

Angels ( ἄγγελοι )

The exact meaning of the term here is uncertain. The following are the principal interpretations:

1. The officials known as angels or messengers of the synagogue , transferred to the Christian Church . These were mere clerks or readers; so that their position does not answer to that of the angels presiding over the churches. There is, besides, no trace of the transfer of that office to the Christian Church.

2. Angels proper Heavenly guardians of the churches. This is urged on the ground that the word is constantly used in Revelation of a heavenly being; by reference to the angels of the little ones (Mat 18:10), and to Peter's angel (Act 12:15). It is urged that, if an individual may have a guardian angel, so may a Church. Reference is also made to the tutelar national angels of Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1.

But why should the seer be instructed to write to heavenly messengers, with exhortations to repentance and fidelity, and describing them as " rich," " poor," " lukewarm," etc. (Rev 2:4; Rev 3:1, Rev 3:16)?

3. The angels are a personification of the churches themselves: the Church being spoken of as if concentrated in its angel or messenger. But in Rev 1:20, they are explicitly distinguished from the golden candlesticks, the churches.

4. The rulers ard teachers of the congregation . These are compared by Daniel (Dan 12:3) to stars. See Mal 2:7, where the priest is called the messenger (angel) of the Lord; and Mal 3:1, where the same word is used of the prophet. See also Hag 1:13. Under this interpretation two views are possible. (a) The angels are Bishops ; the word ἄγγελος sometimes occurring in that sense (as in Jerome and Socrates). This raises the question of the existence of episcopacy towards the close of the first century. (b) The word is used of the ministry collectively ; the whole board of officers, including both presbyters and deacons, who represented and were responsible for the moral condition of the churches. See Act 20:17, Act 20:28; 1Pe 5:1-5.

Dr. Schaff says: " This phraseology of the Apocalypse already looks towards the idea of episcopacy in its primitive form, that is, to a monarchical concentration of governmental form in one person, bearing a patriarchal relation to the congregation, and responsible in an eminent sense for the spiritual condition of the whole.... But even in this case we must insist on an important distinction between the 'angels' of the Book of Revelation and the later diocesan Bishops. For aside from the very limited extent of their charges, as compared with the large territory of most Greek, Roman Catholic, and Anglican Bishops, these angels stood below the Apostles and their legates, and were not yet invested with the great power (particularly the right to confirm and ordain) which fell to the later Bishops after the death of the Apostles.... The angels, accordingly, if we are to understand by them single individuals, must be considered as forming the transition from the presbyters of the apostolic age to the Bishops of the second century" (" History of the Apostolic Church" ).

Wesley: Rev 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen

This day: which accordingly are written, Rev 1:11-18.

Wesley: Rev 1:19 - And which are

The instructions relating to the present state of the seven churches. These are written, Rev. 1:20-3:22.

Wesley: Rev 1:19 - And which shall be hereafter

To the end of the world; written, Rev. 4:1, &c.

Wesley: Rev 1:20 - Write first the mystery

The mysterious meaning of the seven stars - St. John knew better than we do, in how many respects these stars were a proper emblem of those angels: how nearly they resembled each other, and how far they differed in magnitude, brightness, aa& other circumstances.

Wesley: Rev 1:20 - The seven stars are angels of the seven churches

Mentioned in Rev 1:11. In each church there was one pastor or ruling minister, to whom all the rest were subordinate. This pastor, bishop, or overseer, had the peculiar care over that flock: on him the prosperity of that congregation in a great measure depended, and he was to answer for all those souls at the judgment seat of Christ.

Wesley: Rev 1:20 - And the seven candlesticks are seven churches

How significant an emblem is this! For a candlestick, though of gold, has no light of itself; neither has any church, or child of man. But they receive from Christ the light of truth, holiness, comfort, that it may shine to all around them. As soon as this was spoken St. John wrote it down, even all that is contained in this first chapter. Afterwards what was contained in the second and third chapters was dictated to him in like manner.

JFB: Rev 1:19

The oldest manuscripts read, "Write therefore" (inasmuch as I, "the First and Last," have the keys of death, and vouchsafe to thee this vision for the comfort and warning of the Church).

JFB: Rev 1:19 - things which are

"the things which thou hast seen" are those narrated in this chapter (compare Rev 1:11). "The things which are" imply the present state of things in the churches when John was writing, as represented in the second and third chapters. "The things which shall be hereafter," the things symbolically represented concerning the future history of the fourth through twenty-second chapters. ALFORD translates, "What things they signify"; but the antithesis of the next clause forbids this, "the things which shall be hereafter," Greek, "which are about to come to pass." The plural (Greek) "are," instead of the usual Greek construction singular, is owing to churches and persons being meant by things" in the clause, "the things which are."

JFB: Rev 1:20 - in

Greek, "upon My right hand."

JFB: Rev 1:20 - the mystery . . . candlesticks

In apposition to, and explaining, "the things which thou hast seen," governed by "Write." Mystery signifies the hidden truth, veiled under this symbol, and now revealed; its correlative is revelation. Stars symbolize lordship (Num 24:17; compare Dan 12:3, of faithful teachers; Rev 8:10; Rev 12:4; Jud 1:13).

JFB: Rev 1:20 - angels

Not as ALFORD, from ORIGEN [Homily 13 on Luke, and Homily 20 on Numbers], the guardian angels of the churches, just as individuals have their guardian angels. For how could heavenly angels be charged with the delinquencies laid here to the charge of these angels? Then, if a human angel be meant (as the Old Testament analogy favors, Hag 1:13, "the Lord's Messenger in the Lord's message"; Mal 2:7; Mal 3:1), the bishop, or superintendent pastor, must be the angel. For whereas there were many presbyters in each of the larger churches (as for example, Ephesus, Smyrna, &c.), there was but one angel, whom, moreover, the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls holds responsible for the spiritual state of the Church under him. The term angel, designating an office, is, in accordance with the enigmatic symbolism of this book, transferred from the heavenly to the earthly superior ministers of Jehovah; reminding them that, like the heavenly angels above, they below should fulfil God's mission zealously, promptly and efficiently. "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!"

Clarke: Rev 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen

Write the things which thou hast seen - These visions and prophecies are for general instruction, and therefore every circumstance must be faithfully recorded. What he had seen was to be written; what he was about to see, relative to the seven Churches, must be also written; and what he was to see afterwards, concerning other Churches and states, to be recorded likewise.

Clarke: Rev 1:20 - The mystery

The mystery - That is, the allegorical explanation of the seven stars is the seven angels or ministers of the Churches; and the allegorical meaning of the seven golden lamps is the seven Churches themselves

1.    In the seven stars there may be an allusion to the seals of different offices under potentates, each of which had its own particular seal, which verified all instruments from that office; and as these seals were frequently set in rings which were worn on the fingers, there may be an allusion to those brilliants set in rings, and worn επι της δεξιας, Upon the right hand. In Jer 22:24, Coniah is represented as a signet on the right hand of the Lord; and that such signets were in rings see Gen 38:18, Gen 38:25; Exo 18:11; Dan 6:17, Hag 2:23. On close examination we shall find that all the symbols in this book have their foundation either in nature, fact, custom, or general opinion. One of the cutchery seals of the late Tippoo Saib, with which he stamped all the commissions of that office, lies now before me; it is cut on silver, in the Taaleck character, and the piece of silver is set in a large gold ring, heavy, but roughly manufactured

2.    The Churches are represented by these lamps; they hold the oil and the fire, and dispense the light. A lamp is not light in itself, it is only the instrument of dispensing light, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can dispense any; so no Church has in itself either grace or glory, it must receive all from Christ its head, else it can dispense neither light nor life

3.    The ministers of the Gospel are signets or seals of Jesus Christ; he uses them to stamp his truth, to accredit it, and give it currency. But as a seal can mark nothing of itself unless applied by a proper hand, so the ministers of Christ can do no good, seal no truth, impress no soul, unless the great owner condescend to use them

4.    How careful should the Church be that it have the oil and the light, that it continue to burn and send forth Divine knowledge! In vain does any Church pretend to be a Church of Christ if it dispense no light; if souls are not enlightened, quickened, and converted in it. If Jesus walk in it, its light will shine both clearly and strongly, and sinners will be converted unto him; and the members of that Church will be children of the light, and walk as children of the light and of the day, and there will be no occasion of stumbling in them

5.    How careful should the ministers of Christ be that they proclaim nothing as truth, and accredit nothing as truth, but what comes from their master

They should also take heed lest, after having preached to others, themselves should be cast-aways; lest God should say unto them as he said of Coniah, As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah, the son of Jehoiakim, were the Signet Upon My Right Hand, yet would I pluck thee thence

On the other hand, if they be faithful, their labor shall not be in vain, and their safety shall be great. He that toucheth them toucheth the apple of God’ s eye, and none shall be able to pluck them out of his hand. they are the angels and ambassadors of the Lord; their persons are sacred; they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ. Should they lose their lives in the work, it will be only a speedier entrance into an eternal glory

The rougher the way, the shorter their stay, The troubles that rise Shall gloriously hurry their souls to the skies.

Defender: Rev 1:19 - which shall be hereafter

This key verse succinctly outlines the revelations to be given in the book. "The things which thou hast seen" comprise the events of the apostolic age in which John had been a leading participant and which he had written about in his gospel and three epistles. The "things which are" include the events of the church age, as outlined and foreseen in Revelation 2 and 3. Then, "the things which shall be hereafter" (identified by a similar phrase in Rev 4:1) refer to the great future events associated with Christ's second coming, as described in Revelation 4-22."

Defender: Rev 1:20 - seven stars

This verse beautifully illustrates the principle of literal interpretation: when symbols are used, their meaning is explained. Thus, the candlesticks symbolize literal churches, and the stars symbolize literal angels. If Christ had meant some other interpretation such as "pastors" or "elders" of the churches rather than angels, He could easily have made this clear by using the appropriate word. "Elder," for example, is used twelve other times in Revelation, so it would be used here if Christ meant the meaning to be "elder." Nowhere else in the Bible are pastors called angels.

The word "angel" (Greek aggelos) can mean "messenger" but is only used very rarely of human messengers and then only if the context requires. The context here certainly does not require any such meaning. In fact the word "angel" occurs sixty-seven other times in Revelation, always with the meaning of heavenly angels. The idea that angels are assigned to guide individual churches should not be surprising in light of such Scriptures as Heb 1:14; Act 12:15; 1Co 11:10; Eph 3:10; 1Pe 1:12; and others. Pastors and elders may come and go, but the angel of the church can continue as long as the church lasts. Just how they manage to convey Christ's messages to His churches may not be understood now, though "some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb 13:2), but we can be confident they have ways and means."

TSK: Rev 1:19 - the things // and the things which are // and the things which shall be

the things : Rev 1:11, Rev 1:12-20

and the things which are : Rev. 2:1-3:22

and the things which shall be : Rev. 4:1-22:21

TSK: Rev 1:20 - mystery // the seven stars // the seven golden // The seven stars // and the

mystery : Mat 13:11; Luk 8:10

the seven stars : Rev 1:13, Rev 1:16

the seven golden : Rev 1:12

The seven stars : Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14; Mal 2:7

and the : Zec 4:2; Mat 5:15, Mat 5:16; Phi 2:15, Phi 2:16; 1Ti 3:14-16

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Rev 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen // And the things which are // And the things which shall be hereafter

Write the things which thou hast seen either the things which thou hast seen from the beginning of the gospel; for John, Mat 4:21 , was a companion of Christ from the time presently following his baptism and temptations: or, the vision of me which thou hast now had; which I judge most probably the sense, not understanding why our Lord should set John to write what (though they were not yet written, yet) Christ knew should be written in another book by John himself, viz. in his Gospel, and by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in their histories of the Gospel, and in the Acts of the Apostles; especially considering they were to be written plainly, so as he who runs may read them; and what John was to write here, was to be written enigmatically, and darkly represented in visions: and it is against reason to think the same things should be first revealed plainly, and then more darkly, and both by direction from God.

And the things which are the present affairs of the church; we have the history till Paul was carried prisoner to Rome, (which was about the 60th year after Christ), in the Acts of the apostles; so that I conceive the farthest that John looked back was but thirty-five years; for he was in Patmos about the year 93, and is conceived to have written this book, 96. Hence the matter of the Revelation is easily concluded:

1. The things which were the present affairs of the church, Anno 96, or looking back only to 60, which things are supposed to be written by John, in Rev 2:3 .

And the things which shall be hereafter to the end of the world, under the reign of the dragon, (the pagan Roman empire), and the reign of antichrist, or the beast, for one thousand two hundred and sixty years, and from thence until Christ shall come to judgment.

Poole: Rev 1:20 - The mystery of the seven stars, and the seven golden candlesticks // The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches // And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches

The mystery of the seven stars, and the seven golden candlesticks: see Rev 1:12,16 .

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches that is, they signify the angels of the seven churches. By angels he means God’ s messengers and ambassadors to the seven churches, called angels, both in respect of their office, being the ambassadors of Christ, 2Co 5:20 , and of that holiness which they should show forth in their doctrine and life. To interpret the term of angels by nature, seems not agreeable to what we shall hereafter meet with said to some of them; Christ would never have ordered John to have charged them with a loss of their first love, or to admonish them to be faithful unto death, or to repent. Whether the term angel denoteth any particular superior minister or bishop in those churches, or is to be taken collectively for all the ministers in those churches, I shall not dispute. Certain it is, aggelov signifieth no more than is common to all ministers, viz. to be God’ s messengers, and move upon his errand.

And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches the seven churches mentioned Rev 1:11 : or else, seven being the number of perfection, all the churches, which are fitly represented by candlesticks, in the same sense as they are called pillars of truth in Paul’ s Epistle to Timothy, because they have not the light they show from themselves, only hold it forth from Christ. But it is the opinion of very learned writers upon this book, that our Lord, by these seven churches, signifies all the churches of Christ to the end of the world; and by what he saith to them, designs to show what shall be the state of the churches in all ages, and what their duty is. That by the church of Ephesus, was represented the purest state of all the Christian churches, which determined thirty years before this book was written. By the church of Smyrna, the state of all Christian churches till the year 300. By the church of Pergamos, all the Christian churches till antichrist got up into the saddle, and the Albigenses and Waldenses were so persecuted. By the church of Thyatira, the state of the churches from that time till our Reformation. By the other three, the state of all churches for one hundred and fifty years last past, and which shall be to the end of the world. See Dr. More, Mr. Mede, Cocceius, and Forbes, as learned and diligent inquirers into the sense of this book as any have been, who give many reasons for this:

1. Because no reason else can be given, why epistles should not be written to other churches as well as these.

2. He doth not call them the seven churches of Asia, but seven churches.

3. The number seven is a number used to signify perfection.

4. What is said of Christ’ s walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks, having the stars in his right hand, &c., agreeth to him with reference to all churches, not to these seven only.

5. His calling ministers angels, speaks this a prophecy, for that is a prophetical style.

6. The mentioning the same number of churches and ministers, as of the seals, speaks this part of the Revelation as comprehensive, with respect to time, as the other.

7. It is not probable that these epistles would have been ushered in with such a vision, if they had been merely historical and didactic, not prophetical also.

8. They argue from Rev 1:19 , where John is bid to write not only what is, but what shall come to pass.

9. They argue from the matter of the epistles.— Let the curious reader see more of this in the authors themselves, as also in Mr. Brightman.

PBC: Rev 1:19

The vision being shown to John is to be written in a book. The things " which are" evidently exist at the time of the vision. The things " which shall be hereafter" are those things which shall shortly come to pass. This serves as a warning to God’s people to repent, for " Behold, I come quickly."— Eld. Charles Taylor

PBC: Rev 1:20

John’s eyes (and ours) are now opened to the mystery of the seven stars. The seven stars are the angels (overseers, pastors) of the seven churches. " For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts."  {Mal 2:7} The seven candlesticks are the seven churches, representative of the complete body of Christ in all ages.

As we progress through the letters contained in chapter two of the book of Revelation, we will find things in each letter which we can apply to our present condition. Let us study these intelligently, and with wisdom. Unless we can find this also directed toward our condition as a church approved by God, we will not have bettered ourselves by this study. The book of Revelation is not given simply to serve as a conversational piece! Israel of old had not considered their condition in the light of God’s word. They received a just recompense of reward because of their ignorance. Their beloved city and temple were destroyed. They no longer have a place where they can come as they did in days of old. Many former places of worship no longer exist because they were not hallowed by God’s people.— Eld. Charles Taylor

Haydock: Rev 1:20 - Angels

Angels. These are the seven bishops of the churches. Christ's having them in his right hand, shews the care he takes of his Church. (Calmet)

Gill: Rev 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen // and the things which are // and the things which shall be hereafter

Write the things which thou hast seen,.... The Alexandrian copy and some others, and the Complutensian edition, read, "write therefore the things", &c. meaning what he had now seen, the vision of one like to the son of man, amidst the golden candlesticks, with seven stars in his right hand, and as above described; this was what he had seen Rev 1:12; for it does not refer to what he had seen of Christ in the days of his flesh, but to what he had now seen in this representation of him:

and the things which are; the state of the churches of Christ in the apostolic age, and at that time signified by the Ephesian church, and that part of the Smyrnean which John lived to see:

and the things which shall be hereafter; from hence unto the end of the world, in successive generations, signified by the rest of the churches, and in the visions of the seals, trumpets, and vials.

Gill: Rev 1:20 - The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand // and the seven golden candlesticks // the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches // and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,.... The sense is, that John was to write the mystery of these stars, or the mystical sense of them:

and the seven golden candlesticks; the mystery, or mysterious sense of them also; for the words are in a continued connection with Rev 1:19, and have respect to the following interpretation of them, and to the epistles in the following chapter, which are mystical, and prophetical of the state of the churches in all succeeding ages:

the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; that is, the seven stars which John saw in Christ's right hand, represent the angels, or pastors of the seven churches of Asia, and in them all the pastors and ministers of the churches in all the periods of time until Christ's second coming. Here it may be observed, that the ministers of the Gospel are not only compared to "stars", for which see Gill on Rev 1:16; but likewise to "angels", which signifies "messengers", as ministers are sent forth by Christ with the message of the Gospel to publish to the sons of men; and as the angels are Christ's ministering spirits, so are the preachers of the Gospel the ministers of Christ, that wait upon him and serve him in the ministry of the word, and in the administration of ordinances; and there is some agreement between them in holiness, knowledge, zeal, diligence, and watchfulness, in their work; as also they may be so called for the honour and esteem in which they are, both with Christ and his churches; and who like the angels rejoice at the conversion of sinners, and the enlargement of the interest of Christ:

and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches; represent the seven churches, of Asia, and in them all the churches of Christ, in successive ages, to the end of time; the reasons why these are signified by "candlesticks"; see Gill on Rev 1:12; and that they are prophetic of the churches of Christ in the several periods of time, until he comes again, will appear from the following considerations: the whole book is called a prophecy, and a revelation of things that were shortly to come to pass, and it would be very strange, and very unsuitable to its title, should the three first chapters contain nothing prophetic in them; the characters of the divine Person under which these seven churches are saluted, as he which is, and was, and is to come, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, show that the things written to them belong to the Gospel church state, from the beginning to the end of it, for what other reason can be given for such a peculiar use of them? the very grand and illustrious appearance of Christ, antecedent to these epistles, when compared with the appearance of God, previous to the opening of the sealed book, and the seven seals of it, may induce one to conclude, that as the latter introduces the book prophecy in this revelation, so the former introduces the church prophecy; nor does it seem that such a magnificent appearance is necessary to the bare sending of some letters of advice to some particular churches: moreover, as there are some things in these epistles too common to all the churches and ministers to be restrained to some particular ones, such as Christ's affording his presence among them, signified by his walking amidst the candlesticks, and his care of, and respect unto the ministers of the Gospel, expressed by holding seven stars in his right hand; for can it be thought that Christ only granted his presence to the seven churches in Asia? or that the pastors of those churches were the only ones Christ holds in his right hand? so there are others too particular to certain periods to belong to those churches, as that Smyrna should have a crown of life, Pergamos hidden manna and a white stone, Thyatira the morning star, and Philadelphia be delivered from a temptation that would reach all the world, and is not yet come; for which no reason can be given in the literal sense of these epistles; and it is strange that only seven churches should be sent to, and these only in Asia; why not to the churches in Africa and Europe? and these churches also, all but Ephesus, very obscure ones; why not to the churches at Antioch, Corinth, Rome, &c. and it is stranger still, if, as Epiphanius says ^w, there was no church at Thyatira till after the writing of these letters: nothing can account for all this but their being prophetic, there being something in the number, names, situation, and case of these churches, which were emblematical of the state of the church in successive periods of time; to which may be added, that the epiphonema at the close of every epistle, "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches", shows that each epistle to every church is not designed for that church only, but for churches; and for what churches but for those who are represented in that period of time, since they must be unsuitable to one another? and besides, this concluding sentence shows, that what is contained in each epistle is something intricate, abstruse, and parabolical, it being only used when some such thing is delivered; see Mat 11:15. There is one observation more to be made, and which runs through all the epistles, and that is, that the names of the several churches, and the titles which Christ assumes in writing to each, as well as the subject matter of the epistles, have respect to the several distinct periods of the church; all which will more clearly appear in the following notes upon them,