The Year of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Revelation 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Sometimes the Bible explains itself in short order. Revelation chapter one is such a time. In verses 13 and 16 John mentions seven stars in Jesus’ right hand, and that He was in the midst of seven candlesticks. In the same chapter, just a few verses later, Jesus explains them. He solves the mystery.
The seven stars, Jesus says, are the angels of the seven churches. Always remember that this book was written to the churches. In chapter 2 and 3 there is an individual message to each church. Each church mentioned was in existence at that time. They were experiencing that which the Lord says they were experiencing. In them, the seven churches, there are examples of every type of church. For example, today there are Smyrna type churches, Pergamos type churches and Laodicean type churches, all of them. In each case the individual letter to each church was addressed to the…angel of the church… That would be the messenger, the pastor.
The seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Their light should burn bright as their candle burns. Interestingly enough, candles are one of those products made to consume themselves while doing the job for which they were created. If the candle is not lit it is not fulfilling its basic purpose. The same with a church. It consumes itself with the work of being light in a dark world. Churches give their life substance to do that which the Lord established them to do. To be light.
This interpretation of the mystery of the seven stars and the seven candlesticks is beyond debate. For the Lord Jesus Himself explains it to John as a conduit to explain it to us.
In parting, notice one quick thing. A thing that will bring argument, fury, and disagreement with those who diminish the office of a pastor of one of Christ’s churches. That thing is…Jesus has the stars, the angels, of the churches in His right hand. Think that they are celestial beings if you want, but when was the last time a celestial angel gave your church a message from the pulpit? Have no doubt that the Lord is holding your pastor in His right hand. If it were not so, the Lord would not have said it.
Until next time,
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
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