I turned to see whose voice was speaking to me, and when I did so, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man . . . He held seven stars in his right hand
Revelation 1:12-13a, 16a NET
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.
Revelation 1:20 NET
Revelation is written as a message from Jesus, through John, to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (modern Turkey). This was a message of encouragement to the seven churches. It gave them insight into what was happening to them and what was coming in the future (Rev. 1:19).
In Revelation 1:12-16, John described his vision of a glorified Jesus. In this vision, John saw Jesus (one like a son of man) amid seven golden lampstands and holding seven stars in his right hand. Jesus then revealed to John the meaning of the lampstands and stars. The lampstands represent the seven churches to which the book is addressed. And the seven stars represent their angels.
Angels and Churches
It is unclear just who these angels are. The word translated here, and throughout the New Testament, as angel simply means messenger. While most often the word is used for angels, it sometimes refers to humans (Matt. 11:10). Because of that, some see this as referring to the pastors of these churches. Especially since the letters to the individual churches in chapters two and three are addressed to the angel of each church. But there is no way to be sure just who is represented here.
But what does seem certain here is that Jesus is in the midst of these churches and is holding their messenger in his right hand, the place of honor. Jesus has not left his church to fend for itself in the midst of a hostile world. Wherever his people assemble together as local churches, he is there (Matt. 18:20). And he holds tightly to those who lead us. He cares deeply about us. His message through the rest of this book should encourage us to walk faithfully with him, knowing that he is with us regardless of what may come our way.
