78 Iwan M. Whiteley Revelation 1 Revelation 1 consists of a build-up of ambiguity notably in the presen- ce of the angel (1:1), the seven lampstands and the stars. Knight notices that although there is an initial mention of an angel, yet in verses 9-20 the vision is of Jesus, not an angel.7 It is probable that identifying the referential significance of the angel would have perplexed the reader as they progressed through the narrative. The next potential ambiguity in the chapter is the seven lampstands in 1:13. Ambiguity is found in two areas; first it is unclear if the lampstands are lit. λυχνίας focuses on the lampstand and it is only when the verb καίω,8 or the noun λαμπάς9 is utilized does it become evident that there is a flame present. This can be seen in 4:5, here John makes it very clear about the lamps in this context; ἑπτὰ λαμπάδες πυρὸς καιόμεναι. The second ambiguity in the context of the lampstands is based on the lack of clarity about why they are mentioned. Wilcock says that we are ‘told im- mediately’10 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 chur- ches 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 lampstands to represent each church in each of their communities. This proposition 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. The third ambiguity appears in 1:16 with the mention of seven stars. Commentators automatically turn to 1:20 and therefore assume that the stars do not refer to the churches. This leads them into speculation as to their significance. Some believe that they are referring to a specific cons- tellation in the heavens11. Swete and Charles argue that no specific cons- J. Knight, Revelation (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999) 30. 7 Mat 5:15, Luke 12:35, John 5:35. 8 Zech 4:2, Mat 25:1-8. 9 M. Wilcock, I Saw Heaven Opened: The Message of Revelation (BST, Leicester: IVP, 10 1975) 41. David Chilton, The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation 11 (Fort Worth: Dominion Press, 1987), 75; P. Carrington, The Meaning of the Revelation (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1931) 86; Aune, Revelation, 97.