As John begins his witness to the Word and testimony of Jesus Christ and of all that he saw (Revelation 1:2, 19:10) to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:4, 11). This book of unveiling or disclosure of things to come, begins with seven unique messages to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3. Each deeply profound spiritual message is being addressed to literal, physical churches of John’s time (~95 A.D.) present in Asia-minor (modern-day Turkey). The island of Patmos, where John received and recorded his divine revelation (Revelation 1:9), was only about 100 kms (62 miles) from the coast of the mainland where all the seven churches were located within a radius of 80 kms (50 miles) only. These messages in perpetuity must continue to echo and address the global audience of churches and believers all across the nations.

The seven churches are being signified using seven golden lampstands (Revelation 1:12). And Jesus Christ stands in the midst of these seven lampstands, clothed with a garment and girded about the chest with a golden band (sash) (Revelation 1:13). This paints a familiar picture of the golden lampstand placed in the Holy place in the tent of meeting and of the priesthood who ministered before God (Exodus 25:31-40, 28:31-43, Leviticus 16:4). The golden lampstand in the tent of meeting had six branches and seven lamps, with the extra lamp being placed on the center supporting branch of the lampstand. This is said to have a numerical symbol, where the six (the number of man) branches are united with God (seven signifying perfection). It also symbolizes Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12) and the seven spirits of God mentioned in Isaiah (Isaiah 11:2). With Isaiah 11:1; Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit, symbolizing the almond blossoms on the branches of the lampstand (almond flowers bloom right before fruition). In the new covenant age of the church that has Christ ushered in, the churches are now being represented by seven unique lampstands (Revelation 1:12, 20). This stands in contrast to a single golden lampstand representing the kingdom of Israel in the old covenant. While many theological theories draw out seven unique church-ages through the course of history and connect it with each church addressed in chapters 2 and 3. I do believe these messages are all perpetual by nature and each of these messages are fully pertinent to our current times and season, and not limited by time in the application of its instructions. The seven unique lampstands (churches) in Revelation also shatters the push for one global church to exist at any given point of time. History would both educate and warn us that the last time this global singularity existed under the Roman empire, the church became extensively corrupt and despicably exploitative of its members. And also, the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna were less than 60 kms (35 miles) apart. While Ephesus did not experience the same persecution as the believers at Smyrna did, the believers of Smyrna also did not backslide from their first love as Ephesus did. And it could be said, the purity of the church of Smyrna was preserved in this way and by this they received only a good report from the Lord!

The messages to the churches begin by their address to the angel of the church in … The term Angel when transliterated from the original Greek means messenger or envoy. They are also referred by stars in the right hand of God (Revelation 1:20). This term Angel in the new testament is not entirely and exclusively used of divine beings alone. But also of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2, Luke 7:27 ), disciples of John (Luke 7:24), disciples of Jesus (Luke 9:52), Israelites spies sent into Jericho (James 2:25) and even of God in the narration of Stephen’s account of the Gospel (Acts 7:30-32). And therefore in the context of churches, the word ‘Angels’ falls within the purview of those with God-given authority over the church—elders and pastors. But this does not fully absolve the believers in the church of their personal responsibility. Since it was the equal duty and combined responsibility of the Israelites and the priests to keep the continuous supply of olive oil to keep the fire (light) on the golden lampstand always burning, without being extinguished (Exodus 27:20-21). Likewise, it is the equal responsibility of every believer in the church to keep the light of Christ burning in the church today (Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12). This is why the tongues of fire rested on each of them present (Acts 2:3), on the day of Pentecost.