The “angel” of each particular church is the stated recipient of each letter. In 1:11 the trumpet-like voice of the Lord Christ tells John to send the revelation to the seven churches, but in Revelation 2–3, each letter is addressed to the angel of the particular church. These angels, first mentioned in 1:20, are represented by the seven stars in the right hand of Christ. Commentators past and present have disagreed about the identity of these angels. Some take them to be
Page 61