he said. To do this, the attention is directed, in this case, to the fact that he held the seven stars――emblematic of the ministers of the churches――in his hand, and that he walked in the midst of the lamp-bearers――representing the churches themselves; intimating that they were dependent on him, that he had power to continue or remove the ministry, and that it was by his presence only that those lamp-bearers would continue to give light. The absolute control over the ministry, and the fact that he walked amidst the churches, and that his presence was necessary to their perpetuity and their welfare, seem to be the principal ideas implied in this representation. These truths he would impress on their minds, in order that they might feel how easy it would be for him to punish any disobedience, and in order that they might do what was necessary to secure his continual presence among them. These views seem to be sanctioned by the character of the punishment threatened (ver. 5), “that he would remove the candlestick representing _their_ church out of its place.” See Notes on ver. 5. ¶ _Who walketh in the midst_, &c. In ch. i. 13 he is represented simply as _being seen_ amidst the golden candlesticks. See Notes on that place. Here there is the additional idea of his “_walking_” in the midst of them, implying perhaps constant and vigilant supervision. He went from one to another, as one who inspects and surveys what is under his care; perhaps also with the idea that he went among them as a friend to bless them. 2 I[95] know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and [96]thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, [97]and are not, and hast found them liars: