Revelation 1:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The seven Churches. It does not fall to our province to inquire into the reason why seven Churches only are here specified; nor do we enter into the symbolism of the number seven, nor burden ourselves with the inquiry whether these seven Churches are supposed to represent the whole of Christendom. These and other vexatoe questiones we leave for the student to ponder in his study. Hints for earnest pulpit teaching are alone our care. Historically, the seven Churches here specified did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:20

The seven Churches: their common characteristics. Seven times is heard the solemn charge, given at the close of each of the letters addressed to these Churches, "He that hath an ear," etc. And we would obey this word so far as we may, and, ere considering these letters one by one, would glance at their common characteristics. To the most superficial reader it is evident that in arrangement and plan they are all alike. The "angel of the Church" is addressed in each; then comes the title... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:20

The mystery of the seven stars - On the word “mystery,” see notes on Ephesians 1:9. The word means, properly, “what is hidden, obscure, unknown” - until it is disclosed by one having the ability to do it, or by the course of events. When disclosed, it may be as clear, and as capable of comprehension, as any other truth. The meaning here, as applied to the seven stars, is, that they were symbols, and that their meaning as symbols, without a suitable explanation, would remain hidden or unknown.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:9-20

2:1-3:22 LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHESApart from occasional minor variations, the seven letters follow the same pattern. They begin with a greeting from the risen Christ (whose titles are mostly taken from the vision described in 1:12-16), followed in turn by a statement of praise and/or criticism concerning the current state of the church, a warning, an instruction and a promise. Although each church received the particular message for itself, it would also hear the messages for the other... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 1:20

mystery = secret symbol. See App-193 . stars. Greek. aster, occurs fourteen times in Rev. ( App-10 ) in. Greek. epi. are = represent, or signify. the. Omit. angels. App-120 . Revelation 1:2 . which . . . sawest. The texts omit. the. Omit. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 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 are seven churches.Seven stars are the angels of the seven churches ... All kinds of efforts have been made to identify these "angels" of the seven churches as the ruling bishop, the pastor, the chief elder, or other human representative of the church; but such a view cannot be otherwise than incorrect. As Plummer... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 1:20

20. in—Greek, "upon My right hand." 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 (Numbers 24:17; compare Numbers 24:17- :, of faithful teachers; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 12:4; Judges 1:13). angels—not as ALFORD, from ORIGEN [Homily 13 on Luke, and Homily 20 on Numbers], the guardian... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:1-20

I. THE PREPARATION OF THE PROPHET CH. 1The first chapter contains a prologue to the book, which is similar to the one in John 1:1-18, the prologue to John’s Gospel (cf. 1 John 1:1-4). It also relates a vision that God gave John that prepared him for what follows. This presentation has the effect of showing that Jesus Christ is the culminating figure in human history (cf. Hebrews 1), and it prepares the reader for the revelation of His future acts that constitutes the bulk of this book. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:9-20

B. The commission of the prophet 1:9-20John next explained a vision of the glorified Christ that God had given him (cf. Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1). First, he related the circumstances of his first commission to write (Revelation 1:9-11). Second, he provided a detailed description of the source of that commission (Revelation 1:12-16). Third, he explained more about his commission and the one who gave it (Revelation 1:17-20). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 1:17-20

3. The amplification of the commission 1:17-20John’s response to this revelation was similar to Daniel’s response to the vision God gave him (cf. Daniel 10:7-9). Jesus then proceeded to give John more information about what He wanted him to do. read more

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