Revelation: The Seven Churches and Angels(messengers)

[VictoryinJesus]

I decided yesterday to revisit the book of Revelation and begin at the beginning. I have never really sat down and read it all the way through on my own. I already have a question pertaining to the letters to the seven churches. The questions is: The seven stars in the Lord's right hand are the angels of the seven churches. The seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches. Then in chapter 2 verse 1 John is instructed to write: unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;


Revelation 1:17-20 KJV

[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [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.

Wouldn't that make the body of the letter be written unto the angel of the church of Ephesus? Wouldn't the Lord's words be directed toward the angel up until "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ...

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

[1] (Unto the angel) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

When I looked up the meaning of "Angel" in concordance it said: dispatch, messenger of God; also pastor, teacher, prophet, priests, or kings. Could the Angel over the church of Ephesus be one of those: Pastor. Prophet. Priests.? I am NOT insinuating we are angels, I am asking how "angel" fits in the context of John being instructed to write unto the angel and then the words "repent" being used. That is the main question I have but I also included other verses connected to the topic. Warning there are many.

Genesis 32:1-2 KJV

[1] And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. [2] And when Jacob saw them, he said, (This is God's host): and he called the name of that place Mahanaim( Mahanaim meaning; two hosts, two camps).


Luke 22:41-45 KJV

[41] And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, [42] Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. [43] And there appeared an angel (messenger) unto him from heaven, strengthening him. [44] And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. [45] And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,


Matthew 4:10-12 KJV

[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels(messengers) came and ministered unto him. [12] Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;


Matthew 18:10 KJV

[10] Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels(messengers) do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.


Matthew 25:41-43 KJV

[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels(messengers): [42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.


Mark 1:13 KJV

[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.


Luke 2:21 KJV

[21] And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (what angel? The angel of the Lord?)


Acts 6:11-15 KJV

[11] Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. [12] And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him , and caught him, and brought him to the council, [13] And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: [14] For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. [15] And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (Whose face? Stephens?)

Acts 10:1-6 KJV

[1] There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band , [2] A devout man , and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. [3] He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel(messenger) of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. [4] And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: [6] He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.


Acts 12:7-8 KJV

[7] And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him , and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. [8] And the angel(messenger) said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.


Acts 27:23-26 KJV

[23] For there stood by me this night the angel(messenger) of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, [24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. [25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. [26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. (Interesting: the appearance to the Lord's angel, even after the resurrection and giving the holy spirit which is within. Not once by several times the angel of the Lord stood by Paul.)

Acts 23:11 KJV

[11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.


1 Corinthians 11:10-12 KJV

[10] For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels(messengers). [11] Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. [12] For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.


2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV

[13] For such are false apostles(false messengers), deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel(messenger) of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers(Satan's ministers) also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness (messengers of righteousness); whose end shall be according to their works.


Galatians 4:13-14 KJV

[13] Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. [14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel(messenger) of God, even as Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh(an irritant to the flesh), the messenger(False prophet, false teacher, angel) of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.


Hebrews 13:1-3 KJV

[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain (strangers): for thereby some have entertained angels(messengers) unawares. [3] Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

 

[ScottA]

I decided yesterday to revisit the book of Revelation and begin at the beginning. I have never really sat down and read it all the way through on my own. I already have a question pertaining to the letters to the seven churches. The questions is: The seven stars in the Lord's right hand are the angels of the seven churches. The seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches. Then in chapter 2 verse 1 John is instructed to write: unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;


Revelation 1:17-20 KJV

[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [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.

Wouldn't that make the body of the letter be written unto the angel of the church of Ephesus? Wouldn't the Lord's words be directed toward the angel up until "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ...

The book of Revelation is written to those who were and would be "servants" of Christ. Which then includes the letters to the churches, including the angel of the church of Ephesus. The angels have their charge to minister over the churches.

 

[ScottA]

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

[1] (Unto the angel) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

When I looked up the meaning of "Angel" in concordance it said: dispatch, messenger of God; also pastor, teacher, prophet, priests, or kings. Could the Angel over the church of Ephesus be one of those: Pastor. Prophet. Priests.? I am NOT insinuating we are angels, I am asking how "angel" fits in the context of John being instructed to write unto the angel and then the words "repent" being used. That is the main question I have but I also included other verses connected to the topic. Warning there are many.

We are one cooperative body including all of the above, Pastors, Prophets, Priests, etc.. The angels have their charge, as do all servants.

 

[ScottA]

Luke 2:21 KJV

[21] And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (what angel? The angel of the Lord?)

Matthew 1:20-22
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 

[Stranger]

I decided yesterday to revisit the book of Revelation and begin at the beginning. I have never really sat down and read it all the way through on my own. I already have a question pertaining to the letters to the seven churches. The questions is: The seven stars in the Lord's right hand are the angels of the seven churches. The seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches. Then in chapter 2 verse 1 John is instructed to write: unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;


Revelation 1:17-20 KJV

[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [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.

Wouldn't that make the body of the letter be written unto the angel of the church of Ephesus? Wouldn't the Lord's words be directed toward the angel up until "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ...

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV

[1] (Unto the angel) of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

When I looked up the meaning of "Angel" in concordance it said: dispatch, messenger of God; also pastor, teacher, prophet, priests, or kings. Could the Angel over the church of Ephesus be one of those: Pastor. Prophet. Priests.? I am NOT insinuating we are angels, I am asking how "angel" fits in the context of John being instructed to write unto the angel and then the words "repent" being used. That is the main question I have but I also included other verses connected to the topic. Warning there are many.

John first writes in (Rev. 1:4), "John to the seven churches". He records what was told him by the glorified Christ in (1:11). "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches...."

The book of Revelation can be divided as (Rev. 1:19) indicates. "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;" So, 1.) The things which thou hast seen---(Rev.1:1-20) 2.)The things which are---(Rev. 2:1-3:22) 3.)The things which shall be hereafter---(Rev.4:1-22:21)

So, as you can see, the message to the seven churches involves 'the things which are', the second division. This is expressly to the churches. That the entire book is for the churches we have seen in (1:4) and (1:11) But that which is specifically to the churches, that the churches need to heed, is that second division.

So I believe the entire book of Revelation is for all who are part of those churches and in like manner for all who would ever make up the Church throughout history.

Christ definitely defined the seven stars in His hand as the angels of the seven churches. Which I believe as you pointed out that they are human messengers, and in all likelihood, the leader of those particular churches. But every member of these churches need to heed what is said to that leader or angel, as they are equally to be commended or warned as they will take on the spiritual condition of that leader. So, I believe that if the leader and said church does not repent of that which Christ finds wanting, then the leader and the church cease to be a source which the Holy Spirit can use as a light unto the world. However the overcomer in that church can still be used of God though the light of the church itself has been removed.

Angels sometimes speak to the spirit beings we call angels. And sometimes angels speak to people who are messengers of God. And sometimes in the Scriptures it is difficult to tell. For example, the angel in (Rev. 17:1) is one of the seven angels having the seven vials. And he came to speak to John and show him more. And in the normal reading it appears that this angel would be the same that spoke to John in (Rev. 19:9). But, that angel in (19:9) says in (19:10), "I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren". I am not satisfied yet with anything I have read concerning this. Just one of those things where I will just have to wait till the Lord gives some understanding.

Stranger

 

[VictoryinJesus]

John first writes in (Rev. 1:4), "John to the seven churches". He records what was told him by the glorified Christ in (1:11). "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches...."

The book of Revelation can be divided as (Rev. 1:19) indicates. "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;" So, 1.) The things which thou hast seen---(Rev.1:1-20) 2.)The things which are---(Rev. 2:1-3:22) 3.)The things which shall be hereafter---(Rev.4:1-22:21)

So, as you can see, the message to the seven churches involves 'the things which are', the second division. This is expressly to the churches. That the entire book is for the churches we have seen in (1:4) and (1:11) But that which is specifically to the churches, that the churches need to heed, is that second division.

So I believe the entire book of Revelation is for all who are part of those churches and in like manner for all who would ever make up the Church throughout history.

Christ definitely defined the seven stars in His hand as the angels of the seven churches. Which I believe as you pointed out that they are human messengers, and in all likelihood, the leader of those particular churches. But every member of these churches need to heed what is said to that leader or angel, as they are equally to be commended or warned as they will take on the spiritual condition of that leader. So, I believe that if the leader and said church does not repent of that which Christ finds wanting, then the leader and the church cease to be a source which the Holy Spirit can use as a light unto the world. However the overcomer in that church can still be used of God though the light of the church itself has been removed.

Angels sometimes speak to the spirit beings we call angels. And sometimes angels speak to people who are messengers of God. And sometimes in the Scriptures it is difficult to tell. For example, the angel in (Rev. 17:1) is one of the seven angels having the seven vials. And he came to speak to John and show him more. And in the normal reading it appears that this angel would be the same that spoke to John in (Rev. 19:9). But, that angel in (19:9) says in (19:10), "I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren". I am not satisfied yet with anything I have read concerning this. Just one of those things where I will just have to wait till the Lord gives some understanding.

Stranger

I did read your post when you posted. I have been thinking it over for sometime. Thank you, for your much needed input! I agree the angels spoken to in the book of Revelation are most likely the men over those churches and also to the churches themselves. Question still remains though: how can you tell when angel refers to men messengers from God, or angelic beings? For instance in:

Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV
[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We imagine angels with wings on street corners, hidden in human form to test our love and compassion. Can it simply mean: entertain strangers because without doing so, you may be missing a messenger(angel) with a message from God? I am sorry, just thinking.
It is also interesting that Paul was sent a messenger(angel) of Satan: (false minister?): a thorn that irritated his flesh. Those false teachers and ministers are still attempting to discredit Paul today because in doing so, they attack Christ and the message of grace, thereby putting others back under the law.

 

[Stranger]

I did read your post when you posted. I have been thinking it over for sometime. Thank you, for your much needed input! I agree the angels spoken to in the book of Revelation are most likely the men over those churches and also to the churches themselves. Question still remains though: how can you tell when angel refers to men messengers from God, or angelic beings? For instance in:

Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV
[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We imagine angels with wings on street corners, hidden in human form to test our love and compassion. Can it simply mean: entertain strangers because without doing so, you may be missing a messenger(angel) with a message from God? I am sorry, just thinking.
It is also interesting that Paul was sent a messenger(angel) of Satan: (false minister?): a thorn that irritated his flesh. Those false teachers and ministers are still attempting to discredit Paul today because in doing so, they attack Christ and the message of grace, thereby putting others back under the law.

There are angelic beings as opposed to human beings. You have to pay attention to the context of what is said to determine if an angel or human is being spoken of. I do believe (Heb. 13:1-2) is speaking to angelic beings. Mainly because of the whole book. (Heb. 1:1-14) definitely identifies angels as angelic beings. If 'angel's' meant something different in (Heb. 13:1) I think Paul would have worded it differently.

Stranger