Revelation 1:19–20 (ESV) — "Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 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."
Sunday, September 22, 2013, Peshawar, Pakistan. Anaya almost stayed home from church that Sunday morning. Her husband was out of the country at a Christian youth ministry training conference, so Anya had to get her 11-yr old son and 9 yr old daughter up and ready. And the daughter had been fighting a fever, but she was relentless in begging to go to church and hear the Bible story.
It was a normal Sunday service. Afterwards, many of the people were hanging around out front of the building in fellowship and preparing to have a meal together. The kids were playing, and Anaya was talking to her sister and brother-in-law in front of the church building. Then Anaya’s world shattered. At 11:43 a.m., two suicide bombers detonated their explosives amid the roughly 700 congregants who had gathered in the courtyard for a fellowship meal. The death toll eventually rose to 127, including seven children, with at least 100 hospitalized. Anaya was seriously injured. Her son and daughter were among the seven children killed.
I wish I could say that such bombings and terror on Christians and churches are rare, but they are not. America has had its bombings and terror on churches, even recently in Michigan. On June 22nd, a gunman opened fire outside the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, during a service, injuring one person before being fatally shot by church security.
The Church as always been in the devil’s cross-hairs. Satan hates the church, not only because we are God’s people, but also because we stand in his way of carrying out his plans of evil and destruction. Whatever tool the devil can use against the church of Jesus Christ, he will pick it up and use it.
Stories like Anaya's and those in Michigan make us wonder why God allows such evil to befall his people and local churches. We may not have all the answers, but what we can say with 100% certainty is, God is God over all things, all people, and all events. This is one of the big lessons from this book of Revelation: God is the orchestrator of all things, all people, and all events. As one person put it, “History is HIS-STORY—God’s Story!”
Remember to whom these letters were sent: Local Churches. The vision of the stars and lampstands was and is meant to bring comfort and encouragement to the persecuted and struggling local churches. Keep this view as we begin unfolding the meaning of this symbolic picture.
Vs.19 - “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”
This is repeating the commands referenced in chapter 1:1 and 1:10. What John sees in these visions, which he wrote down, are events that take place throughout history. Many people think the Revelation visions are all in the future tense. John is to write what he sees “that are” and “those that are to take place after this.” Some events have already occurred, will occur soon, and others will happen far in the future. Therefore, the overall message through Revelation is not pinpointing single events in history but a high-level view that covers large periods of time and seasons.
Vs.20 - “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.”
Jesus’ explanation does not seem like much of an explanation to us, but to John and the Churches of his day, it did. This is why careful study is necessary. What did it mean to the churches in the first century that received one of these letters? The culture, the time of history, the language, and so much more played into understanding the meanings of what seems strange to us. Like a good detective at a crime scene, we need to recognize a few surface clues about the seven stars and seven lampstands.
We begin by noticing that Jesus put the seven stars and seven lampstands together. The stars and lampstands are connected. You can focus on one, but to see one’s meaning and purpose, you must see the meaning and purpose of the other, along with how they are connected by Christ Jesus.
The second clue is that both the stars and lampstands pertain to the local church. In other words, this is not a picture of individual Christianity, but of the local church. Next, don’t miss where the stars are and where the lampstands are, their location in the picture. John mentions their location in the picture several times. Next, Jesus is the central figure in this symbolism. He is central to the local church’s existence, life, purpose, and identity. Their identity is found in Jesus Christ. All of these clues will help us understand the meaning of the seven stars and seven lampstands.
We’ll begin with the Seven Stars. As mentioned, the clue to the seven stars is where they are, “in his right hand.” This is pointed out three times (vs.16, 20, & 2:1). John notices them and wants us to notice them in “his right hand.” The triple emphasis of their location is not just in his hand, but in the “right hand.” The right hand represents favor, authority, and power, which means Jesus is in control, full control of his churches.
They are “stars”, which are associated with the heavens, as opposed to the earth. Then, Jesus says they are “angels.” When we think of angels--celestial beings, we associate these creatures with God, in heaven. We don’t think of angels and earth, but heaven, around the throne of God. Stars are in the heavens, where the angels are, and in his right hand—of Him who is heaven. There is a celestial meaning here. It almost shouts at us.
Some people say the stars are literal angels in his literal hand because Jesus called them “the angels of the seven churches.” Perhaps there are guardian angels assigned to every local church. But is this the message of this symbolic picture? I have a problem with interpreting that Jesus meant seven literal spiritual beings. Why? Because the letters to the churches in the next couple of chapters are addressed to “the Angel” of each church, and some of those holy angels are rebuked by Jesus for error or false teaching. If this letter is addressed to a literal angel of the church, such as the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, then that angel’s works were a mixture of faithfulness and sin. That does not fit the holiness of an unfallen angel. I have to rule out that the letters were written to literal angels.
There may be an angelic representative for each local church or a guardian in heaven assigned to each church. But we are looking for the “Message within the symbolic picture.” Therefore, we must back up and consider another interpretation of the seven stars of the churches.
Some other commentators suggest that these “angels of the churches” refer to the pastors of each church. The problem with that is that one man is not to blame for the unfaithfulness of the whole church. Plus, in some letters, sub-groups are pointed out by Christ. This rules out that the letters were written to the pastor or elders.
To me, it is the big picture we are looking at. The stars and angels, to whom the letters are addressed to must be the local church itself. The letters were written to the whole church—the whole congregation of the local church. Seeing all the symbolism associated with a heavenly presence, the local churches are held by Christ and have his favor in his hand of power in heaven, where he presently is. Reference 1 Pt. 3:22; Eph. 1:20, 2:6; Acts 2:33.
The enemies of God may want to destroy us, but those churches that remain faithful are kept in His protective hand. Amen!
What about the Seven Golden Lampstands? Where are they, or more importantly, who is among them? Jesus Christ is among his churches. Rev. 1:12 – “on turning I saw, and in the midst of the lampstands one like the son of man.” In Rev.2:1, we read, ‘The words of him who … walks among the seven golden lampstands.” These are the seven local churches in Asia Minor, which represent all local churches throughout history. Where are the local churches? On earth. Jesus is among them by His Spirit, the Spirit of God.
There is more to this symbolism of seven golden lampstands. Is there somewhere else in Scripture that talks about seven golden lampstands? Yes. Exodus 25 describes the lampstands that God instructed Israel to have in the inner sanctuary of the Temple. Read Exodus 25:31–37. We also have a reference in Zachariah 4:2.
If we put the reference from Exodus 25 and the references in Revelation together, we have clues to their purpose and symbolism. What do we learn from these lampstands in the way God had them made and placed?
They are golden lampstands, and gold represents holiness and royalty. The people of God—washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, made holy by Him, and adopted into the royal family of the Most High God —are set apart. Reference Eph.1:4. I Peter 2:9 tells us that the church was made a holy nation, a royal priesthood. This is how precious and beautiful churches are before God. And the golden lampstands were in the temple, in the holy of holies. Even though we are as sheep before the slaughter, in our Savior’s eyes, we are holy and royal vessels.
These lampstands in the holy sanctuary of the temple had a special purpose. The lampstands were the holders of light. They were used by the priests of God to shine light in their service to the Lord God. In 1 Tim. 3:15, we read that local churches are the light of truth in the darkness of this world. The Apostle Paul says the Church is a pillar and foundation of the truth. We are to hold truth and light up before the world so Christ’s light of truth may shine. Jesus said (Matt.5:14), “You are the light of the World.” He says that we are not to be hidden but to be seen, giving the light of truth in a dark and deceived world. He then said (Matt. 5:16), “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” We shine the light of Christ as we do the work of ministry in a spiritually dark world.
Let’s pause for a moment and make sure we this right. We—humans, are not the actual light, Jesus is the light—the truth. We are the lampstands. We have the light and point the light into the darkness. Having the Light of Jesus, we are to proclaim the truth of salvation to the lost; we are to proclaim the truth of God’s kingdom; we are to walk as children of light and be an example of the holiness of God. Reference, Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess.5:5.
It’s time to summarize all of this by combining the interpretations of the symbols. The stars are in his right hand, representing a heavenly presence, under his control, in his favor, as he sits as a reigning king from heaven. The golden lampstands represent the literal/actual local churches that are on earth, and the stars are their spiritual/heavenly counterpart in the hand of Christ. As if Jesus is saying, “Although my churches are on earth, they are also in my hand in heaven. They are in my control, and nothing can harm them. They are in my hand! And the gates of Hell cannot stop them (Matt. 16:18).”
This makes sense, in my opinion, when you remember the main purpose of this book. These letters are for the local churches that are struggling, and they need comfort and encouragement from their Savior and King. In the middle of a dark work and persecution, they need to be reminded of their purpose. They need hope in a hopeless world. When the Church of Ephesus, Smyrna, and the others get this letter from the Apostle John, their hope is refreshed. Jesus has me in his hand, and he is with us in our struggles and persecutions.
The stars and lampstands speak. Christ’s supreme sovereignty in His care for his churches from heaven, and Christ’s continual life and light in his churches on the earth. Another way to put it is, the lampstands highlight his presence on earth in this place, and the stars emphasize his protective possessiveness of his churches. Stars and Lampstands: Christ’s Protective Possessiveness, and Christ’s Presence. To the persecuted churches, like in my opening story, and the church in Michigan, and to us, this is the message they need. This message also reminds us that this church is not our church. It is Christ’s Church---both in Heaven and on earth. Hallelujah!
Is there an application for us today? Yes, most definitely. This whole book is written to local churches, not individual Christians. If you are reading this book with an individualized Christian view, then you are missing the whole message. Most people who read this book are reading it with “me” in mind. How does this affect me? What does this mean to me? That is the great error in our American view of Christianity. This error can be called “nearsightedness.” Christians think Christianity is a “me” faith. Nothing could be further from the truth. This “nearsightedness” negatively affects the individual Christian and the Local Church. And it indirectly has a negative impact on the view of Christianity and the Gospel in the minds of the unbeliever.
What is this nearsightedness? It is a Christianity that is lived and believed like an individual sport. As opposed to a team sport. There are many Christians who are living their faith on their own. They are trying to run the race, hold the faith, stand strong in the strength of the Lord, all on their own. They are making a one-person church, which is an oxymoron. All Christians are called to come together. One definition of “church” in the Bible is “assembly.” We are to come together to shine the light of truth, not on our own but with other believers. According to Scripture (Eph.4; Matt. 18; I Cor. 12; Rom. 12, etc.), every Christian is called to belong to and participate as a team member of a Lampstand.
And yet, we love our individualism, even at the cost of being a biblical Christian. Being a biblical Christian is being in community with other believers. According to Ephesians 4:11-16, a biblical Christian is an active participant in a local church doing the work of the ministry and building up one another to the maturity of Christ. A biblical Christian, according to I Corinthians 12:12-28, is being present in a church body using the God-given gifts with the other members. Romans 12:4-8 uses this same description of a biblical Christian. We may be individually saved, but we are to be grafted into a community of believers for the sake of the community and doing the work of ministry on Christ’s behalf.
So, we jump back to the Book of Revelation. This book is written to a community of believers, as is most of the New Testament and the Old Testament. It is not to be viewed with an individualistic view, but a corporate view. That is, from a team view. Remember, a golden lampstand represents a local church. Are you a part of a local church? Are you a part of a golden lampstand? I didn’t see any broken off pieces of lampstands in the vision, just whole lampstands. Exodus 25 tells us that the lampstands were carved as one piece, not different pieces glued together. Get it? Individual believers join with others in a local church to be one lampstand shining the light of Christ.
There is a story that illustrates this Lordship of Christ regarding his churches, both in heaven and on earth.
I do not know if this story is true or not, but it makes the point loud and clear. The enemies of Christ may appear to have their way against the churches of Christ, but Jesus is always getting his way. History is His-Story.
A local church in America once took a mission trip to help build a church in a remote village in Russia. This was after the fall of communism in that area. Saints, locally and from this American church, were building the house of worship from the stones of a nearby abandoned communism run Russian prison. What a powerful scene! Imagine building a place of worship from the stones of an evil prison. This prison, as the story is told, was used for political and religious prisoners.
As the believers were working, careful attention was taken to preserve the stones. While removing one of the large stones, they discovered a hollowed-out stone with a canister in it. Inside the canister was a hastily written note: “We are a group of Christians being forced by Communists to take the stones of our church and build a prison where we will stay until we die. Our prayer is that one day these stones will once again be used to build a church.”
It appeared that the enemies of God won, but that was not reality. What appears to the naked eye is the temporal, not reality. The eye of faith sees beyond this life. It sees Jesus Christ high on the throne of power over all governments, powers, cultures, and all life. The eye of faith sees the unseen truth, the unseen hand of God, which is the unseen reality.
The prayers of the saints were answered. They were not alive to see their prayers answered, but God heard and answered. Jesus was being glorified, communism was being humiliated.
With this message from Jesus, through the Apostle John, the local churches of John’s day, and throughout history, are encouraged in their sufferings, in their trials, in their spiritual warfare, and they are reminded of their purpose to be lampstands in a dark world. Jesus protects, provides, and remains with them in their midst. He holds his churches in his right hand and walks among them. Amen!
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