The Divinely Determined Completeness of God’s Plan or Purpose (7) (Part 3)
Seven-fold Reference to Golden Candlesticks and Stars:
. . . “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle . . . 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 . . . Unto 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.” (Rev. 1:12-13, 16, 20, 2:1). (Emphasis added).
Commentary: The seven (7) golden candlesticks are the seven (7) churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea). The seven (7) stars are literally seven (7) angels that Christ has put in charge to oversee each church. Interestingly, Matthew 5:14 indicates that the Christian should be the light of the world and that their light cannot be hidden. Just as in the analogy of the Christian giving off light, the analogy of the church giving off light being as a candlestick also applies. Historically, some candlesticks could hold many lights or candles. These passages indicate that Christ literally holds sovereign control over the stars or angels of the seven (7) churches and that he walks in the midst of the seven (7) lampstands or churches. As divine Lord, Jesus Christ is powerful over and present with his people. He is omnipotent and omnipresent.