2. Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14 - The book of Revelation was written for, and addressed to, various angels.
Response: The Hebrew malakh and Greek aggelos can be translated as angel or messenger. At Malachi 2:7, for example a Levite priest is called a "messenger" (Hebrew malakh). Normally when these words apply contextually to spirit creatures they are translated as "angels" and when to humans they are translated as "messengers." Why this rule is not applied in the case of the overseers of the seven congregations in the book of Revelation I have never understood. Other than that translational anomaly there is no reason to think that Jesus was referring to them as angels. It is, I believe, clear, that Jesus is speaking to those human messengers as he gives instructions etc. There would be no need for him to write to spirit creatures.
Jesus himself points out the symbolic application in Revelation 1:20 when he says the seven stars are of the seven congregation. Stars are often used symbolically to represent leaders or insightful ones. That they are at his right hand means that he is in control of them, guiding them; the lamp stand or candlesticks, depending upon the translation, signifies that these congregations are like a light in a dark place. (Daniel 12:3 / 2 Peter 1:19)
Response: The Hebrew malakh and Greek aggelos can be translated as angel or messenger. At Malachi 2:7, for example a Levite priest is called a "messenger" (Hebrew malakh). Normally when these words apply contextually to spirit creatures they are translated as "angels" and when to humans they are translated as "messengers." Why this rule is not applied in the case of the overseers of the seven congregations in the book of Revelation I have never understood. Other than that translational anomaly there is no reason to think that Jesus was referring to them as angels. It is, I believe, clear, that Jesus is speaking to those human messengers as he gives instructions etc. There would be no need for him to write to spirit creatures.
Jesus himself points out the symbolic application in Revelation 1:20 when he says the seven stars are of the seven congregation. Stars are often used symbolically to represent leaders or insightful ones. That they are at his right hand means that he is in control of them, guiding them; the lamp stand or candlesticks, depending upon the translation, signifies that these congregations are like a light in a dark place. (Daniel 12:3 / 2 Peter 1:19)
