What are the seven lampstands / candlesticks of Revelation?

TL;DR:

The seven lampstands in Revelation represent churches, which reflect God’s light to the world. As the church, we are called to reflect Christ's light, truth, love, and holiness to the world.

In Revelation, the seven lampstands represent the seven churches, which are symbolic of the church as a whole. These lampstands, made of gold, symbolize the value and purity of the church in God's sight. The number seven in the Bible often signifies completeness or perfection. Jesus walks among these lampstands, emphasizing His presence with the church and His role in guiding and protecting it. As the church, we are called to shine Christ's light brightly, reflecting His truth, love, and holiness to the world (Matthew 5:14–16).

from the old testament

The symbol of a lampstand is found in other places in Scripture. In Exodus when God gives instructions for the structure of the tabernacle, He describes a lampstand with seven branches that will be in the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31–39). Today this is known as the Jewish menorah. The Holy Place was separated from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) by a veil. The Most Holy Place housed the ark of the covenant, where God’s presence symbolically dwelt. Only the priests entered the Holy Place to perform their duties (Hebrews 9:6). Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and that only once per year (Hebrews 9:7). The Mosaic law and temple system served as “a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities” (Hebrews 10:1). John’s vision of Jesus in the midst of the lampstands in Revelation ties to the symbolism of the temple and demonstrates its fulfillment in Jesus (Matthew 5:17–18; Hebrews 10:1–25).

from the new testament

The book of Revelation describes a vision given to the apostle John. It opens with an incredible encounter between Jesus and the apostle. In part, John writes, "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest" (Revelation 1:12–13).
Jesus explains the opening scene of John's vision to him. "As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20). So the lampstands (or "candlesticks" in some translations) represent seven churches.
In Revelation 2—3, Jesus tells John to write letters to each of the churches, encouraging them in their faith and warning them of their sins and need for repentance. The seven churches are identified by name and include the churches of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1), Smyrna (Revelation 2:8), Pergamum (Revelation 2:12), Thyatira (Revelation 2:18), Sardis (Revelation 3:1), Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7), and Laodicea (Revelation 3:14). There are a variety of perspectives on the churches among scholars. One perspective is that they literally refer to those churches at the time John was writing Revelation. Another perspective is that each church refers to a specific era of the Christian church throughout history. A third perspective is that the churches symbolize the Christian church as a whole, not bound by place or time.

implications for today

The lampstands not only represent the church as it is in the world but also God's ultimate design for the church when it has been fully redeemed. There are seven lampstands. Seven is a symbolic number in the Bible demonstrating completeness or perfection. Jesus is walking among the lampstands and holds the seven stars in His right hand. Many scholars believe the reference to the stars as angels means that the angels are messengers; this could then imply that Jesus is protecting and guiding the church leaders. The lampstands are gold. Gold denotes value and purity. The church is extremely valuable to God and because of Jesus' death it is pure in His sight. The lampstand carries light. Jesus is the light and the church brings His light into the world.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Ultimately Jesus is the light of the world and as the church we are called to be His lampstands. In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." As His representatives on earth, we are to shine the light of Christ brightly, reflecting His truth, love, and holiness, drawing others to the glory of God.

understand

The seven lampstands represent seven churches.
Jesus walks among the lampstands, guiding and protecting the church.
Believers are called to reflect Christ's light and draw others to God’s glory.

reflect

How do you reflect Christ's light in your daily life? How does your involvement with church community impact the way believers are to collectively be the light of Christ to the world?
How do you experience Christ’s guidance and protection in your walk with Him?
How can you contribute to the unity and purity of the church as part of God’s design?

engage

What are the symbolic meanings of gold and light in the context of the seven lampstands, and how can these symbols shape our understanding of the church today?
How do the seven churches in Revelation relate to the church as a whole, and what lessons can we apply to our local congregation?
How can the message to the seven churches in Revelation challenge us to live more fully in reflection of Christ’s light?