Iwan M. Whiteley 40 and the seven stars. The lampstands are ambiguous for two reasons; first it is unclear if the lampstands are lit; λυχνία focuses on the lampstand and it is only when the verb καίω35, or the noun λαμπάς36 is utilized does it become evident that there is a flame present. This can be seen in 4:5, where John makes it very clear about the lamps in this context; ‘ἑπτὰ. λαμπάδες πυρὸς καιόμεναι’. The second ambiguity arises as to why seven lampstands are mentioned. Wilcock says that we are ‘told im- mediately’37 that the lampstands represent the churches. However, there are approximately 180 words (about 1 minute reading time) between the metaphor (1:13) and the explanation (1:20), 180 words where the hearers do not know the significance of the lampstands. The churches are able to hypothesize that the seven lampstands are referring to them. Seven churches were introduced in 1:4 and seven Spirits were also introduced here, informing the reader that the text will associate the number seven with the churches. The logical conclusion is that there are seven lamp- stands to represent each church in each of their communities. This propo- sition would be satisfactory if the lampstands were lit, but the fact that the lampstands may not be lit places the churches in an uneasy position. Consequently, although the lampstand imagery appears to point in their direction, yet the potential accusation of being lightless and the lack of article keep the reader in perceiving the text to be unclear. There is also ambiguity when trying to identify the referent of the seven stars, 1:16. Commentators automatically turn to 1:20 and therefore assume that the stars do not refer to the churches, leading them into speculation as to their significance. Some believe that they are referring to a specific constellation in the heavens.38 Swete and Charles argue that no specific constellation was referred to because of the lack of article39. Boring saw Jesus holding the stars as an anti-astrological sign in that Jesus was in control of them40. 1 Enoch uses stars to symbolize angels.41 However, if the reader does not read ahead, but takes John’s words in light of what precedes, then the stars could refer to the churches, based upon Daniel 12:3 and the choice of the number seven suggests this. At this stage of reading the text, the reader has the problem that John has Matthew 5:15, Luke 12:35, John 5:35. 35 Zechariah 4:2, Matthew 25:1-8. 36 M. Wilcock, I Saw Heaven Opened: The Message of Revelation (BST; Leicester 1975) 37 41. David Chilton, The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation 38 (Fort Worth 1987) 75; P. Carrington, The Meaning of the Revelation (London 1931) 86; Aune, Revelation, 97. Swete, The Apocalypse, 18; Charles, A Critical, vol. I, 30. 39 M. Boring, Revelation (Louisville 1989) 84. 40 1 Enoch 21:3, 81, 86:1-3, 88:1, 90:20-25. 41