Revelation 1:20 Revelation 1:20 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. "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks" A mystery implies, first, some secret or hidden thing, not obvious unto every eye, \ until it be revealed and made known. Secondly, some real and excellent thing, \ worth our knowledge and understanding, being profitable to us. \ Thirdly, some practical thing, and applicable for our use and behalf, \ when we know it. "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" Why the ministers of the gospel are called "stars" see Revelation 1:16. The ministry of the law was cloudy and dark, in comparison of the ministry of the gospel \ This excelled it in glory, therefore the ministers of the gospel are called "stars," and they are also called angels, because they are the special messengers of God, whom He sendeth to preach the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ unto the people. \ And the Churches received the Ministers of Christ as Angels. \ Christ puts this name of dignity upon his ministers, that the churches and people to whom they preach, should count them worthy of double honor, \ therefore called and diligent labor: The churches and saints should have such ministers in reputation, and esteem them highly in love for their works sake. \ These names of dignity should put the ministers of Christ in mind of their duty, to wit, to let their light shine before men, for they are called stars \ and to wait on their ministry, \ not slothful in business, but fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord, for they are called angels (who are God’ s ministers and his ministering spirits; Hebrews 1:7; Hebrews 1:14), such ought Christ’ s ministers to be, his and his churches ministering servants. "And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven churches" The candlestick in God’ s tabernacle, \ was pure gold, with seven lamps lighted, according to the pattern which God shewed Moses in the mount. The church of God under the first and old covenant, and Mosaical dispensation of the law, being national and but one church, tabernacle and temple was represented by a golden candlestick. \ The church of God under the second and new covenant and apostolical dispensation of the gospel, being congregational, were represented unto John by two candlesticks \ and hereby seven. \ The churches of saints under the gospel and new covenant of grace, are fitly resembled unto candlesticks, because the shinning and glorious light, first, of the knowledge of salvation to sinners; Secondly, of the pure spiritual worship of god by his saints; Thirdly, of the manifold wisdom of God and his glory, is to be made known by the churches throughout all ages, \ and therefore the church of God, under the dispensation of the gospel, is called the Pillar of Truth, \ for the truth, as it is in Jesus, is born forth and declared thereby. As the edicts, and laws, and proclamations of the potentates, kings and princes of this world, are fixed upon pillars to be know and read of all men; so God’ s truth, Christ’ s laws, and all his holy ordinances, are given unto the churches, and are to be declared and administered in his churches visibly and publicly, to the glory and praise of God.