Gr. luchnia, “lampstands.” The candle, in its familiar modern form, was not in general use in ancient times. Lamps were usually shaped in the form of a shallow bowl, into which oil was poured and a wick inserted. Accordingly, the “candlesticks” John saw were, apparently, stands surmounted by such lamps.
In v. 20 these lampstands are declared to represent the seven churches, and thus the whole church (see on v. 11). The fact that they are of gold would seem to imply the preciousness of the church in the sight of God. John sees Christ walking about in their midst (vs. 13-18), thus indicating His continuing presence with His church (see Matt. 28:20; cf. Col. 1:18).
The reference here to seven golden candlesticks is reminiscent of the seven golden candlesticks in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary (see Ex. 25:31-37). Obviously, however, these differ materially from the seven-branched candlestick of OT times, for John saw Christ walking about among them (see Rev. 1:13; 2:1). These “seven ... candlesticks” are specifically said to represent churches on earth, and are therefore not to be thought of as the heavenly counterpart of the seven-branched candlestick of the ancient earthly sanctuary.