Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The mystery of the seven stars (to musthrion twn epta asterwn). On the word musthrion see on Matthew 13:11; II Thessalonians 2:7; Colossians 1:26. Here it means the inner meaning (the secret symbol) of a symbolic vision (Swete) as in Revelation 10:7; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:7, Revelation 17:9; Daniel 2:47. Probably the accusative absolute (Charles), "as for the mystery" (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 490, 1130), as in Romans 8:3. This item is picked out of the previous vision (Revelation 1:16) as needing explanation at once and as affording a clue to what follows (Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:5).
Which (ouv). Masculine accusative retained without attraction to case of asterwn (genitive, wn).
In my right hand (epi thv deciav mou). Or "upon," but en th, etc., in verse Revelation 1:16.
And the seven golden candlesticks (kai tav epta luxniav tav xrusav). "The seven lampstands the golden," identifying the stars of verse Revelation 1:16 with the lampstands of verse Revelation 1:12. The accusative case here is even more peculiar than the accusative absolute musthrion, since the genitive luxniwn after musthrion is what one would expect. Charles suggests that John did not revise his work.
The angels of the seven churches (aggeloi twn epta ekklhsiwn). Anarthrous in the predicate (angels of, etc.). "The seven churches" mentioned in Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11. Various views of aggelov here exist. The simplest is the etymological meaning of the word as messenger from aggellw (Matthew 11:10) as messengers from the seven churches to Patmos or by John from Patmos to the churches (or both). Another view is that aggelov is the pastor of the church, the reading thn gunaika sou (thy wife) in Revelation 2:20 (if genuine) confirming this view. Some would even take it to be the bishop over the elders as episcopov in Ignatius, but a separate aggelov in each church is against this idea. Some take it to be a symbol for the church itself or the spirit and genius of the church, though distinguished in this very verse from the churches themselves (the lampstands). Others take it to be the guardian angel of each church assuming angelic patrons to be taught in Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15. Each view is encompassed with difficulties, perhaps fewer belonging to the view that the "angel" is the pastor.
Are seven churches (epta ekklhsiai eisin). These seven churches (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11) are themselves lampstands (Revelation 1:12) reflecting the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12) in the midst of which Christ walks (Revelation 1:13).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 1:20:
Matthew 18:10
Ephesians 2:10
2 Thessalonians 2:7
Revelation 1:12
Revelation 1:16
Revelation 3:1
Revelation 4:5
Revelation 7:2
Revelation 14:14
Revelation 20:1
Revelation 21:23
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