And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
See the voice - i:e., ascertain from whom the voice proceeded.
That, х heetis (G3748)] - 'of what kind it was which.' The voice of God the Father, as at Christ's baptism and transfiguration, so here in presenting Christ as our High Priest.
Spake. 'Aleph (') B C, Vulgate, h, Irenaeus, read, 'was speaking.'
Being - `having turned.'
Seven golden candlesticks - `lampstands' (Kelly). The stand holding the lamp. In Exodus 25:31-32, the seven are united in ONE candlestick - i:e., SIX arms and a central shaft: so Zechariah 4:2; Zechariah 4:11. Here the seven are separate, typifying the entire Church, but now no longer as the one Jewish Church (represented by the one sevenfold candlestick), restricted to one outward unity and place. The several churches are mutually independent as to external ceremonies and government (provided all things are done to edification, and 'schisms' or needless separations are avoided), yet one in the unity of the Spirit and the Headship of Christ. The candlestick is not light, but bears light, holding forth light around. The light the Church bears is the Lord's, not her own (Philippians 2:15-16). His glory is the end of her light (Matthew 5:16). The candlestick stood in the Holy Place, type of the Church on earth, as the Holiest was type of the Church in heaven. The Holy Place's only light was from the candlestick, daylight being excluded: so the Lord God is the Church's only light (cf. Revelation 21:23): the light of grace, not nature. "Golden" symbolizes the greatest preciousness and sacredness. In the Zend Avesta, "golden" is synonymous with heavenly or divine (Trench).