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20The hidden meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.
    The hidden meaning of the SEVEN STARS that you saw in my RIGHT HAND and the SEVEN GOLD LAMP STANDS is this: The SEVEN STARS are the messengers of the seven churches, and the SEVEN LAMP STANDS are the seven churches.
The hidden meaning ('mystery' in other translations) is something formerly held out of view but now revealed or identified. John uses this term referring back to when the STARS and LAMPSTANDS were previously given in this chapter (Revelation 1:12 and Revelation 1:16). John also uses it in Revelation 10:7 as the mystery of God and in Revelation 17:7 with respect to the mystery of the woman and the beast. As with all "mysteries" of Revelation, they are explained either in Revelation itself or elsewhere in the Bible. If one takes this verse literally, it is implied that each church has an angel assigned to it. Some believe that this is the pastor or elder, but the verse says an angel, so an angel it must be. This is supported by Scripture which indicates that this notion was accepted by Paul and Peter. See 1 Corinthians 11:10, 1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:9-10, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 5:21, and 1 Peter 1:10-12.
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