Angels of the Seven Churches

The phrase “angels of the seven churches” appears in Revelation 1:20. The singular form, “the angel of the church,” appears again in Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18 and 3:1, 7, 14.

The word “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos, which means “messenger.” For this reason, some Bible translations use the word “messenger” in these passages. In this context, the word may also mean “guardian” or “representative.”

Scholars do not agree about what the term means in the first three chapters of Revelation. The seven churches were real churches in actual cities. However, some interpreters also understand them as symbols of different conditions in the church throughout history.

According to one view, the angel of each church was a human messenger, minister, or representative of that local church. Another view says that the angel represents the main spiritual condition of each church. A third view argues that the word “angel” has its usual meaning in Revelation. According to this view, each letter was addressed to a real heavenly guardian of the church.

See also Angel; Book of Revelation.