Revelation Chapter 1
Verse 20 (NASB) ![]() Home New International Version New King James Version God's WordTM Español Deutsch 20. "As for the mystery of the seven stars which 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. "As for the mystery of the
seven
stars which 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.
A mystery is something formerly held out of view but now is 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 3:10 , 1 Timothy 3:16 , 1 Timothy 5:21 , and 1 Peter 1:12 . |
"Scripture taken from the NEW
AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The
Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,
1977, 1995 Used by permission." References to the Revelation of Jesus Christ are in bold italics. All other references are in bold only. |