SEVEN LAMPSTANDS and SEVEN STARS
(Revelation 1:12-20)
(Revelation 1:12-20)
So John is commanded by a voice like a trumpet to write what he sees in a book, and send it to the seven churches in Asia. There is an important question that should be considered here. Or at the very least, kept in the back of the mind as we continue on. That question is this... Why these seven? Its been sixty three years since Pentecost and the pouring out of the Holy Ghost. There are over a hundred active churches now. Several of which we would think were more prominent than these seven. Why not Antioch, Jerusalem, Rome, Athens, Philippi, Caesarea, Thessalonica, or Corinth? Why these particular seven? Well, I would submit that upon further study of these seven letters, we will begin to see the veil slowly removed from some very interesting and complex end-time models.
- And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 1:12) -
The word "candlesticks" is interpreted from the Greek word "luchnia," which literally means "lampstands." Keep in mind that the lampstand is not the source of light, but the light bearer. And before the chapter is through, Jesus Himself explains what the lampstands represent.
Here we have a description of the glorified, resurrected Christ as He appears in Heaven. This vision of Jesus that John saw had seven key features.
His hair...
- I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (Daniel 7:9) -
His eyes being as a flame of fire. Keep in mind that this is a simile. His feet, symbolizing His walk, are like fine brass... the brass representing sacrifice and judgment. His voice as the sound of many waters... His countenance being as the sun shining in its strength... this echoes Matthew 17.
- And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.(Matthew 17:1-3) -
Then there is the sword of His mouth. The sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth has been literally rendered in the past by artists... and it actually comes across as grotesque. The term is simply an idiom for the Word of God. And lastly we see the seven stars held in His right hand. As it pertains to the stars it would seem we have a paradox. How can Jesus be in the midst of the stars, yet hold them in His hand? I believe this illustrates the absolute sovereignty of Jesus. He dwells among us, yet we are in His hands. He is in control.
- And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17,18) -
John fell at His feet as dead. This was the disciple that Jesus loved. This was the man that walked, talked, and ate with Jesus for three and a half years. This was the man whom Jesus entrusted the care of His mother Mary before He died on the cross. And when John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead... This completely blows away the image of "buddy Christ" that I've seen permeate the mainstream church... especially amongst the youth in more contemporary circles. There is this mentality that when we finally see Him we're going to run up to Him with high fives and fist bumps.
What up Jesus?! What's good?! Thanks for dyin' on da cross for me! (fist bump, bro hug) You da man!
No.
John fell at His feet as dead. Friends, I think it way past time we begin to acknowledge the reality of what appears to be the removal of God's hand from the nation. One of the chief evidences of this judgment is the disappearance of the fear of the Lord from the evangelical church. Honestly, when is the last time you heard a mainstream pastor give a passionate, scathing, message on repentance and the fear of the Lord?
As for the keys of Hell (Hades) and Death...
- (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:9,10) -
Jesus legally took those keys from Satan himself when He faced him in the underworld through the work of the cross.
- Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (Revelation 1:19) -
What has John seen? The vision of Christ described earlier in this chapter. What about the things that are? That would be the seven churches in chapter two and three. And then, the things which shall be hereafter. The English word "hereafter" is a translation of the Greek phrase "meta tauta"... that is to say afterward, or that which follows after the churches.
- 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. (Revelation 1:20) -
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. These angels may be human leaders or pastors... or they may be literal angels, each of which has a special guardian ministry toward one specific church.
- His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;(Hebrews 1:14) -
The seven lampstands are the seven churches. The interesting thing about these lamps is that in this chapter they are here on earth. But if you take a quick peek ahead to chapter four, you'll find that these lamps that represent the churches are now in Heaven. I'm not building an argument based on that point, as there are several others that need to be addressed. I'm only stating that I find it interesting.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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