Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 2:1

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:" — Revelation 2:1 (ASV)

The speaker identifies himself by a reference to the vision of ch. 1: “Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand” (cf. 1:16). These words strike both a note of reassurance, signaling Christ’s strong protection, and control of the church. On the other hand, there is a note of warning in the description of Christ as the one who “walks [travels] among the seven golden lampstands,” since he may journey to Ephesus to remove their lampstand (2:5).