Revelation 1:19

Hast seen] RV 'sawest,' i.e. this vision.

Which are] i.e. the state of the Churches.

Be] RV 'come to pass.'

20, The mystery] i.e. concerning the mystery; 'mystery' = a hidden thing now revealed. Stars] i.e. lights in heaven.

Candlesticks] lights on earth. The Churches are represented by candlesticks (or 'lamp-stands'), because they are made to shed the-light of truth and goodness derived from Christ, the light of the world, upon the world around them. The flame is supported by the oil of the Holy Spirit: cp. Exodus 25:31; Zechariah 4:2; Matthew 5:14.

Angels] Each letter is addressed to the 'angel,' and the 'angel' is praised or blamed for the state of the Church. Many have thought 'angel' here = 'bishop,' but such a meaning is unknown elsewhere. Its' angel' is to each 'church' as the 'star' is to the 'lamp,' i.e. its heavenly counterpart. The angel, therefore, is a heavenly existence, corresponding to the Church on earth, but nearer to God. We need not suppose that each Church literally has such a being in connexion with it. St. John was writing in symbols, and using symbols which he found ready made. Translated from symbolic language into prose, 'angel' here probably means 'that perfect ideal which the Church imperfectly fulfils.'