Revelation 1:20
As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Imagine reading a long mystery novel and finding that the end had been torn out. The reaction may be despair. That would be the same reaction to reading the entire Bible and finding it ended with Jude describing a garment stained by flesh. There would be no resolution except some mysterious clues from Daniel and Zechariah. How glorious then, that Jesus tells us the end of the story and reveals the mystery of the seven lampstands. They are the churches. Without this, our only clue would be Matthew 5:15
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand…
The churches are the recipients of this message and the message is to shine the light of the gospel.
That purpose remains a mystery for many churches, unaware that they are lampstands with smoldering wicks, shining no light. If Jesus wrote a letter to your church like he did to the 7 churches, what would he have against it? Perhaps our churches need to witness what John saw in that vision on Patmos. Remember that John was exiled there only because of his faithfulness. Would that we would be exiled or even noticed for our faithfulness to Jesus Christ. There is no mystery now that we know the gospel. The only mystery left is, what will we do with this vision?
O Heavenly Father, you have the keys to death and Hades. Thank you for granting us an escape from the pain of spiritual death. In Jesus’ name. Amen.