The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

careful examination, the translation of our Common Version (which is, in fact, the same as
that of most all translations), that the word, "unto," or "to," and not "by," the angel of the
Church of Ephesus, Smyrna, etc., is correct, we cannot see how, in applying these
messages to different periods in church history, seven single individuals can be
represented as stars--one for each period. It does not seem either reasonable or Scriptural
to suppose that in the long periods represented by the different messages, some of them
covering centuries, that the Lord would select and make use of but one individual only,
unto whom all the others, living centuries after their death, were to look as their leader.
For instance, in the Philadelphian period it cannot be questioned that Luther was a special
"star," represented symbolically as held in the Savior's right hand as long and in
proportion as he was faithful to the light given, and that his special work was to begin (not
complete) the cleansing of the antitypical Sanctuary, the Church; so were Reuchlin,
Zwingli, and Calvin, each doing his part in this divinely appointed work. Later on came
Wesley and others, also accomplishing other needed reforms. Coming down to near the
close of the Philadelphian period (about 1829 and on), we have Joseph Wolff and William
Miller, leading stars in the predicted Second Advent movement. It was in connection with
the reproach associated with this latter movement that very many stars, teachers, were led
astray, fell from heaven, and were caused to despise the prophecies; and others to
gradually reject the Scriptures themselves as divinely authoritative. A few faithful
Philadelphians, however, continued to hold fast to, and study the prophecies, thereby
obtaining clearer light on the Second Advent and its associated events. All these, as well as
those from Luther's day down to about 1880, contributed, under God, their share in
causing the path of the just ones to shine more and more unto the perfect day. Does it not
seem reasonable and Scriptural to conclude that all these as a class were represented in the
one star or messenger of the Philadelphian period? Again, as having an important bearing
on the interpretation of some, that seven individuals are represented and that these were
all faithful servants, it should also be kept in mind that the words, Unto, or To the angel of
the Church at Ephesus, Smyrna, etc., positively indicate that the condition of the
messengers, as well as the Churches, are described, and both were held responsible for the
conditions existing. It is therefore quite in order that Mr. Seiss remarks:
"I gather from the delinquencies, which are subsequently laid to their charge, that these
angels are but men of like passions with ourselves, nothing more or less than ministers of
the Churches named, indeed, in the wide sense, of all churches in every age."
Another noted commentator, Josiah Litch, has truthfully said:
"The personal pronouns, thou and thy, addressed to the pastor, can never be made to refer
to a church for an antecedent. The works expressed are [more particularly] the works of the
pastor, not of the church. It is in this way that Christ indicates His intense personal interest
in and superintendence over those whom He had placed as shepherds over the churches
which by His Divine providence have been organized on earth. Is it not another way of
saying, 'I hold thee in My right hand'? 'I watch thy acts and mark thy words, and hold thee
responsible for the good or injury those words or acts do to My cause.' So what follows is
in reference to the administrative work of a pastor. 'Thou hast tried them which say they