20. _The mystery of the seven stars._ On the word _mystery_, see Notes on Ep. i. 9. The word means, properly, that which is hidden, obscure, unknown――until it is disclosed by one having the ability to do it, or by the course of events. _When_ disclosed, it may be as clear, and as capable of comprehension, as any other truth. The meaning here, as applied to the seven stars, is, that they were symbols, and that their meaning as symbols, without a suitable explanation, would remain hidden or unknown. They were designed to represent important truths, and John was directed to write down what they were intended in the circumstances to signify, and to send the explanation to the churches. It is evidently implied that the meaning of these symbols would be beyond the ordinary powers of the human mind to arrive at with certainty, and hence John was directed to explain the symbol. The general and obvious truths which they would serve to convey would be that the ministers of the churches, and the churches themselves, were designed to be lights in the world, and should burn clearly and steadily. Much important truth would be couched under these symbols, indeed, if nothing had been added in regard to their signification as employed here by the Saviour; but there were particular truths of great importance in reference to each of these “stars” and “lamp-bearers,” which John was more fully to explain. ¶ _Which thou sawest in my right hand._ Gr., “_upon_ my right hand”――ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς μου: giving some support to the opinion that the stars, as they were seen, appeared to be placed _on_ his hand――that is, on the _palm_ of his hand as he stretched it out. The expression in ver. 16 is, that they were “_in_ (ἐν) his right hand;” but the language here used is not decisive as to the position of the stars. They _may_ have been held in some way _by_ the hand, or {57} represented as scattered on the open hand. ¶ _The seven golden candlesticks._ The truth which these emblematic representations are designed to convey. ¶ _The seven stars are._ That is, they represent, or they denote――in accordance with a common usage in the Scriptures. See Notes on Mat. xxvi. 26. ¶ _The angels of the seven churches._ Gr., “Angels of the seven churches:” the article being wanting. This does not refer to them as a collective or associated body, for the addresses are made to them as individuals――an epistle being directed to “the angel” of each particular church, ch. ii. 1, 12, &c. The evident meaning, however, is, that what was recorded should be directed to them, not as pertaining to them exclusively as individuals, but as presiding over or representing the churches, for what is recorded pertains _to_ the churches, and was evidently designed to be laid before them. It was _for_ the churches, but was committed to the “angel” as representing the church, and to be communicated to the church under his care. There has been much