Rev 1:20 | TNotes | STEP | 1:20 John is to record what he sees because Revelation is an instructive word for the churches . • The angels (or messengers; Greek angelos ) of the seven churches could be (1) the guardian angels of these churches (cp. Matt 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 ); (2) the leading officials of the churches (cp. Matt 11:10 , where “messenger” is angelos ); or (3) a personification of the ethos of the church. The best understanding is probably a combination of 1 and 3.

bMatt 18:10►

cActs 12:15►

dMatt 11:10►

‏ Revelation of John 1:20

1:20 ^a John is to record what he sees because Revelation is an instructive word for the churches.

• The angels (or messengers; Greek angelos) of the seven churches could be (1) the guardian angels of these churches (cp. Matt 18:10 ^b; Acts 12:15 ^c); (2) the leading officials of the churches (cp. Matt 11:10 ^d, where “messenger” is angelos); or (3) a personification of the ethos of the church. The best understanding is probably a combination of 1 and 3.