Angel of the Churches

How Nave’s arranged it

• General scriptures concerningRevelation 1:20Revelation 2:1Revelation 2:8Revelation 2:12Revelation 2:18Revelation 3:1Revelation 3:7Revelation 3:14

The passages, in Bible order (8)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 8 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Revelation 1:20

   This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 1:202 voices

   “This pastor, bishop, or overseer, had the peculiar care over that flock: on him the prosperity of that congregation in a great measure depended, and he was to answer for all those souls at the judgment seat of Christ. And the seven candlesticks are seven churches - How significant an emblem is this!

   “Now all these [heretics] are of much later date than the bishops to whom the apostles committed the Churches; which fact I have in the third book taken all pains to demonstrate. It follows, then, as a matter of course, that these heretics aforementioned, since they are blind to the truth, and deviate from the [right] way, will walk in various roads; and therefore the footsteps of their doctrine are scattered here and there without agreement or connection.

   Everything gathered on Revelation 1:20→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Revelation 2:1

   “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 2:12 voices

   “In many places, and especially in the Psalms, you will find speech addressed to the angels. Power has been given to man—at least to him who has the Holy Spirit—to speak even to the angels. I shall give one example from these instances, so that we might realize that angels too can be taught by human voices.

   “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write,.... Of the city of Ephesus; see Gill on Rev 1:11 and see Gill on Act 18:

   Everything gathered on Revelation 2:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Revelation 2:8

   To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 2:82 voices

   “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write. He suggests to this church to endure persecution, to which the name also agrees. For Smyrna means myrrh, which signifies the mortification of the flesh.

   “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write,.... Of the city of Smyrna; see Gill on Rev 1:11. That there was a church of Christ here is not to be doubted, though by whom it was founded is not certain; very likely by the Apostle Paul, who was in those parts, and by whose means all Asia heard the Gospel of Christ, Act 19:10. Some think the present angel or pastor of this church, was Polycarp, the disciple of John. Irenaeus (f), who knew him, says he was appointed bishop of Smyrna by the apostles.

   Everything gathered on Revelation 2:8→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Revelation 2:12

   To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 2:122 voices

   “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,.... Of the city of Pergamos; see Gill on Rev 1:11. In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, Rev 2:13; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it. Though, according to the Apostolical Constitutions (s), Caius was the first bishop of it; and it appears, that in the "second" century there were several in this place that suffered martyrdom for Christ, as Carpus, Papulus, and a woman whose name was Agathonice (t).

   “The angel of the Church in Pergamos - See the description of this place, Rev 1:11. Which hath the sharp sword - See on Rev 1:16 (note). The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, cuts every way; it convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment; pierces between the joints and the marrow, divides between the soul and spirit, dissects the whole mind, and exhibits a regular anatomy of the soul. It not only reproves and exposes sin, but it slays the ungodly, pointing out and determining the punishment they shall endure.

   Everything gathered on Revelation 2:12→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Revelation 2:18

   To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 2:182 voices

   “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write,....

   “And unto the angel of the church - See the notes on Rev 1:20. These things saith the Son of God - This is the first time, in these epistles, that the name of the speaker is referred to. In each other instance there is merely some attribute of the Saviour mentioned.

   Everything gathered on Revelation 2:18→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Revelation 3:1

   “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 3:12 voices

   “Therefore he has trifled both with his own "spirit," and with "the angel of the Church," and with "the power of the Lord," if he rescinded what by their counsel he had formally pronounced.

   “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write,....

   Everything gathered on Revelation 3:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Revelation 3:7

   To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 3:72 voices

   “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,.... Of the city of Philadelphia; see Gill on Rev 1:11; According to the Apostolical Constitutions (m), one Demetrius was ordained bishop of this church by the Apostle John; but this is not to be depended on; nor is it known who this angel was: however, certain it is there was a church in this place in the "second" century, in the times of Ignatius, who wrote an epistle to it, and which then had a bishop or pastor over it, whom he mentions (n), though not his name.

   “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia - See the notes on Rev 1:20. These things saith he that is holy - This refers undoubtedly to the Lord Jesus. The appellation holy, or the holy one, is one that befits him, and is not infrequently given to him in the New Testament, Luk 1:35; Act 2:27; Act 3:14. It is not only an appellation appropriate to the Saviour, but well adapted to be employed when he is addressing the churches.

   Everything gathered on Revelation 3:7→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Revelation 3:14

   To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.

   ›Commentary on Revelation 3:142 voices

   “To the angel of the church at Laodicea - For these St. Paul had had a great concern, Colossians ii, 1. These things saith the Amen - That is, the True One, the God of truth.

   “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,.... Of the city of Laodicea; see Gill on Rev 1:11; there was a church here in the times of the Apostle Paul; by whom it was founded is not known; mention is made of it in Col 2:1, who was now the angel, or pastor of it, whether Epaphras, who is there named, or another, is not certain. According to the Apostolical Constitutions (t), Archippus was ordained bishop of it by the apostles; see Col 4:

   Everything gathered on Revelation 3:14→

   Verse page →Original language →