Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker identifies Himself as the one holding the seven stars and walking among the seven golden lampstands, directing a written message to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This instruction follows the command to write what is seen on a scroll and send it to seven specific churches.
The words — γράψον (grapson) means "do write," and ἀγγέλῳ (angelō) translates to "angel." These terms establish the imperative to record the message and identify the intended human or spiritual recipient in Ephesus.
The thread — The imagery of the seven stars in the right hand and the seven golden lampstands appears in Revelation 1:16 and 1:20, where the stars are explicitly linked to the churches. The directive to write and send to Ephesus originates in Revelation 1:11.
Why it lands — The text requires the recipient to record a declaration from a sovereign figure who actively oversees the communities represented by the lampstands. It demands attention to the authority of the speaker before any subsequent evaluation of the church's actions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Cross-references
- 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.
- Revelation 1:16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
- Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”