Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
in—Greek, "upon My right hand."
the mystery . . . candlesticks—in apposition to, and explaining, "the things which thou hast seen," governed by "Write." Mystery signifies the hidden truth, veiled under this symbol, and now revealed; its correlative is revelation. Stars symbolize lordship (Numbers 24:17; compare Daniel 12:3, of faithful teachers; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 12:4; Judges 1:13).
angels—not as ALFORD, from ORIGEN [Homily 13 on Luke, and Homily 20 on Numbers], the guardian angels of the churches, just as individuals have their guardian angels. For how could heavenly angels be charged with the delinquencies laid here to the charge of these angels? Then, if a human angel be meant (as the Old Testament analogy favors, Haggai 1:13, "the Lord's Messenger in the Lord's message"; Malachi 2:7; Malachi 3:1), the bishop, or superintendent pastor, must be the angel. For whereas there were many presbyters in each of the larger churches (as for example, Ephesus, Smyrna, etc.), there was but one angel, whom, moreover, the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls holds responsible for the spiritual state of the Church under him. The term angel, designating an office, is, in accordance with the enigmatic symbolism of this book, transferred from the heavenly to the earthly superior ministers of Jehovah; reminding them that, like the heavenly angels above, they below should fulfil God's mission zealously, promptly and efficiently. "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!"
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Revelation 1:20:
Ecclesiastes 5:6
1 Timothy 1:3
Revelation 1:4
Revelation 1:16
Revelation 3:1
Revelation 12:1
Revelation 12:4
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