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"And He had in His right hand seven stars: . . . 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 1:16,20].

         John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day," when he received this great revelation of our Lord. The circumstance is such as to afford encouragement to us all. John had been banished to the isle of Patmos, "for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ," yet this did not interrupt his walk with his Lord whom he loved. And because of his constant communion with the Lord, when God would give him this marvelous revelation, he was ready to receive. The spirit enveloped him right where he was, so that he heard and saw. So we, also, may daily walk with God, and at the time of His choosing, in fulfillment of His purpose, receive those revelations which will lead us on from glory to glory. He comes to us where we are, and lifts us up to where He is. Out of the natural, into those spiritual dimensions where we understand things which the natural mind cannot comprehend.
         As John turned to see the Voice that spake with him, he saw the seven golden candlesticks, and in their midst was one "like unto the Son of man . . ." The description of His appearance is full of meaning for every symbol, and would take a detailed study in itself, but suffice it for now to come to the phrase, "He had in His right hand seven stars."
         Revelation 2:1 carries right on with this, adding one more word to the phrase, "These things saith He that HOLDETH the seven stars in His right hand . . . " We note the word "holdeth"-- from the Greek "krateo" TO LAY HOLD ON. God has, and IS laying hold of, apprehending a people for Himself. They are becoming a part of His RIGHT HAND COMPANY. They are so held by Him, that His hand cannot move without them being moved with it. Furthermore, they don't move until the hand moves. But becoming totally one in the WILL of the right hand, when moved it is with all the ability, power, authority of that hand.
         Also, inasmuch as HE holds these stars in His right hand, they are HELD, RESTRAINED from any movement apart from His direction. But at the proper time they are to voice a message to the churches, the called out-- of the wilderness, of His body, of the Firstborn. Each message is fitted to the realm to which it is spoken, truths for the preparation, truths for the growing, truths for the establishing. The message of maturity is not given in detail to those who are babes, "strong meat belongeth unto them that are of full age." Yet we declare that God shall give a message to every realm that is needed for that realm, it will be in clarity, and it will build up and lead on to the dimensions beyond. None will be stagnated in their level, but being built up on their most holy faith, will be able to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." [2 Peter 3:18].
         Because it is a "mystery" there was also given the meaning for the seven stars, "the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches . . . " The Greek word for "angel" is "aggelos," literally A MESSENGER. The word "angel" is not the translation of the Greek word, only its English spelling.
         They are in "His right hand." The right hand is the place of power, of strength. "hereafter shall we see the Son of Man sitting on the RIGHT HAND OF POWER . . ." [Matthew 26:64]. There are two words in the Greek for power: exousia, meaning privilege, or authority; and, dunamis, meaning ability, or power.  It is this latter that is used here. Dunamis is the word from which we get our English word "dynamite"-- that explosive power which can blast loose and move things. But it is also the root for the word "dynamo" which speaks more of a continuously generated, controlled energy, supplied to continue the task until it is brought to completion. They who become a part of His right hand will have sufficient ability to fulfill His command. He will be IN THEM a LIVING DYNAMO, a constant supply of energy, so that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Greek, Who makes me powerful inwardly) [Philippians 4:13].
         How frustrating to declare a message, but have no power to back it up, or carry it out. The limitations of our own imperfections, combined with the subjection to time, and the lack of power to accomplish, have kept us before the throne of His grace, longing to be filled with His fullness. Yet we see a ministry on the horizon, which God shall unveil at His appointed time, who will not only declare His Word, but have the authority and ability to see it established in the earth. Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" [John 6:63] and thus were effectual in accomplishing the purpose of God.
         Fearless messengers, because they know the in working and OUTFLOW of His power. "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious (adorned) in power: Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." [Exodus 15:6].  Every time the "enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." [Isaiah 59:19]. So impregnated with power shall be the message, that we read, "So shall My  Word be that goeth forth out of Mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing thereto I sent It." [Isaiah 55:11].
         We know that the message and the messenger become one, so it becomes self-evident that the messenger is vitally alive with God's power. And then shall these say with the Psalmist, [18:35] "Thy right hand hath holden me up, (supported me) and thy gentleness hath made me great."
         Seven stars-- seven is the number of perfection and completeness. while the Greek word for "star" is "aster" and is in the masculine gender. That which is masculine is that which is OF SPIRIT, for the SPIRIT is the gendering force of life. This messenger company shall certainly move in the very fullness of the Spirit-- the seven spirits of God [Isaiah 11:2], in union with the LORD. These are truly His "sons of the right hand."
         Another thought, the stars are fixed in the heavens, whereas planets, actually the satellites of a star, follow the paths of their orbits. Again we hear the Psalmist declare, [108:1] "O God, my heart is fixed . . . " and, "He shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies." [Psalm 112:6-8]. This all speaks of a place of stability, of steadfastness, unmoveable. There has been much in working of grace, with all of the suffering and travail, the purging and purifying, but-- "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." [1 Peter 5:10].
         In Jude 13, we read of "wandering stars . . ." but the Greek word is actually planet, for they are moveable, and going in their negative orbits in the way of unrighteousness.
         In astronomy, our SUN is actually a star, and the center of our system, radiating its light of life regardless of our position towards it, regardless of where our planet earth is in its orbit and relation to the sun. It all becomes symbolic of beautiful truth. The Christ, THE SON, becomes the Center of our life and being. And there is a being joined to the Lord in one spirit, to the effect that we become a son in The Son, a star in The Star.
         There is a divine constancy in the outshining of the SON. There may be that which veils off His light from us, "your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you . . ." [Isaiah 59:2], but as soon as all this is removed, we find He has been continuously shining upon us just the same, we simply were not conscious of it. "He maketh His sun (SON) to rise on the evil and on the good." [Matthew 5:45]. "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithfully. He cannot deny Himself." [2 Timothy 2:13].
         Our God is "the Father of lights (the heavenly luminaries), with whom there can be no variableness nor shadow which is cast by the motion of turning (such as that cast by the movements of the heavenly bodies-- planets). In accordance with His deliberate purpose He brought us into being by means of the word of truth, resulting in our being a kind of first fruits of His creatures." [James 1:17-18, Wuest].
         His is producing a certain kind of first fruits of His creations! The word "His" could rightly be given as "Himself" for these are the HIMSELF CREATURES, or, the creatures of Himself. Thus, exact reproductions of the Father. Like begets like. And taking this fact into consideration, in view of these verses, He is referred to as the "Father of lights." Since He is the Source, the Originator of all LIGHT, then when He brings forth after Himself, He is rightly producing "lights," or, "heavenly luminaries."
         "God IS light, and in Him is no darkness at all." [1 John 1:5]. There is no variation, no changeableness, no shadow cast by His turning, as in an eclipse, but His glorious light shines on without any possibility of decline. With this descriptive qualification of our Father, it soon becomes self-evident that we are yet in the process of BECOMING, for no man has arrived into this state of perfection to be "AS HE IS." We have far too many times of shadow, or even seemingly of gross darkness, when we cannot see or know which way to turn. We can, thank God, when we lack wisdom, "ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." [James 1:5], and be assured that it shall be given us-- for after all, He is the Giver of every good and every perfect gift. But when this IN WORKING of His complete free gift is finished, we shall be IN HIS IMAGE, with the same stability and constancy which we find in Him.
         Coming into oneness with the "I AM," there is a fixedness which brings us into an unchangeableness, no longer driven and tossed like the waves of the sea, no longer turning to eclipse the very light we seek after with our own self-will, but FIXED IN GOD, ready to radiate forth light irrespective of the circumstances, or the intensity of darkness. Then "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." [ Isaiah 9:2].
         Ephesians 5:8, Williams, "For at one time you were darkness itself, but now IN UNION with the Lord you are light itself. You must live like children of light." The vital emphasis right now surely must be upon this word "UNION," for it is only by virtue of our union with Him that He in us is the light. It often appears that all the negative forces in the world today are arrayed against this union, so that men would turn away from Him for the allure of the world. But while promised light and freedom, "of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." [2 Peter 2:19]. So subtle are the devious ways of the enemy, if you cannot be enticed into outright sin and forsaking the way of truth, then the adversary  would try to cause you to become so religious, working a spiritual pride, or a false humility, or just present the allure of another man becoming your shepherd, or covering, or spiritual mentor, that you are kept from that PERSONAL UNION with Christ as your Head, so that in ONENESS with Him you are led by His Spirit. If ever we LIVE like children of the light, it will be because of our UNION WITH HIM WHO IS THE LIGHT.
         Ephesians 5:13, Phillips, "For light is capable of ‘showing up'  everything for what it really is. It is even possible (after all, it happened with you!)  for light to turn the thing it shines upon into light also."
         Not only does light reveal, here it is stated that when the light shines upon one, it changes them into light also. Thus we see why "the god of this world hath blinded the mind of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." [ 2 Corinthians 4:4]. But there is a Light that "shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (could not overpower it)." [John 1:5]. And so when the STARS OF HIS RIGHT HAND begin to beam their light unto mankind, it will accomplish that which He has determined-- dissipate the darkness, and fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. "I will also give thee for a light of the nations, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the ends of the earth." [Isaiah 49:6].
         Following the promise of the birth of the Christ, we read, "Therefore will He give them up, until the time she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of His brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. And this shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men." [ Micah 5:3-5].
         There is a REMNANT OF HIS BRETHREN which He is bringing forth, "For whom  He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." [ Romans 8:29]. All of ONE, of Himself-- to be His sons, His lights. They shall give forth His light, HIS MESSAGE, to stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the power of His right hand. They shall abide-- not like unto those who rise up in a brilliant display  to dash across the heavens, and burn out-- these are FIXED in God, positioned in the place He has prepared for them, and prepared them for. They are His sign of PEACE when the enemy would tread in the palace-- seeking to usurp the dominion. They shall destroy the adversaries with the brightness of their shining, and they shall restore righteousness in all the earth. "Peace on earth, good will toward men."
         At the time when the Assyrian treads-- seeking to destroy the kingdom, and rule over God's heritage-- in that day shall there be raised up "seven shepherds, and eight principal men.
         Seven, again noted as the number of perfection and completeness. A perfect and complete shepherd ministry. For "I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.  And I will give you pastors (shepherds) according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." [Jeremiah 3:14-15].
         Eight principal men. Eight is the number of new beginning, resurrection. While the Hebrew word here for "principal" is literally, ANOINTED. There is an anointed ministry of HIS RESURRECTION LIFE to be revealed in that day.
        "Seek Him that maketh the SEVEN STARS and Orion and turneth the shadow of death into the morning." [Amos 5:8]. The seven stars refer to Pleiades, while Orion is made up of eight principal stars, and is called the mighty hunter. "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?" [Job 38:31].
         How sweet shall be the influence of the SEVEN STARS, to minister His life, His joy, His peace unto creation. The heart of the shepherds will be to lead all mankind to the Fountain of Living Water. To feed them in green pastures. To cause them to lie down and rest, and be not afraid.
         Then note the phrase, "Canst thou loose the bands of Orion?" The word "bands" literally means "drawings together." Who can tear apart that which the mighty hunter hath drawn together? Ah, here is that anointed ministry of the New Covenant, of the resurrection, that shall "gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him" [Ephesians 1:10]. And what they have gathered together shall not be torn asunder again. Here is a restoration, a reconciliation that shall endure for the ages.
        When He has raised up His seven shepherds and eight principal men, then "THY RIGHT HAND shall teach thee terrible (awesome) things." [Psalm 45:4]. There will be a reverence brought forth-- men shall begin to fear the Lord, and learn to walk in His way. They shall come to understand and know His love. "HIS RIGHT HAND doth embrace me." [Song of Solomon 2:6]. There is no harshness in the ministry of the seven stars-- theirs is a SWEET INFLUENCE. Even as it is said of Asher, "his bread shall be fat, and ye shall yield royal dainties (Hebrew sweet influences)." [Genesis 49.20]. For all the terribleness, the awesomeness of His holiness and righteousness to be revealed, yet there is a sweetness, a tenderness, the blessings as of ROYAL DAINTIES.
        Proverbs 29:17, "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight (sweet influences) unto thy soul. " There will be divine correction, certainly, but because it is MINISTERED IN LOVE it shall reap the same, bringing forth sweet influences from those corrected. In the messages of the seven angels to the seven churches, we do read, "As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." [Revelations 3:19]. For there is the correctional processes which are essential, but it is such a ministry of love, it will both set-to-right, and yield sweet influences.
         The messengers which declare "the everlasting gospel" will declare "with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him . . ." [Revelation 14:7]. There is a teaching of "terrible things"-- a calling for creation to FEAR GOD -- for this is the very beginning of wisdom. But it also follows that "when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." [Isaiah 26:9], and thus they shall bring forth their sweet influences, LOVE RETURNING to Him who loved them. Worship ascending to Him who has favored them with His loving-kindness.
         As often stated, we are but sharing "whispers of the mysteries" and the expanded horizons, and the greater depths, HE will quicken in His time to those who seek Him. But there is one more little "whisper" we would comment on, as we bring this chapter to a close.
         It is to be noted that the Hebrew word for "influences" is in the feminine gender, while the stars, the messengers, the shepherds, the anointed men, etc. all speak of the masculine realm. Therefore we see that there has been a UNION of the two. Eve has returned into her Adam. This is not a setting of one gender over against another, this is the uniting of them both into one. This is not the divisions known on the natural, physical realm, with all its confusion, competition, etc. for now we shall have that ONENESS which Jesus prayed so earnestly for-- "that we might all be ONE." All the strength, the authority, the ability of the masculine, combined with all the tenderness and compassion of the feminine, which Jesus felt, when He said, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings." [Luke 13:34]. He who was strong to take the whip and drive the moneychangers out of the temple, has all the tenderness and love which would gather, protect, shelter, and minister "tender loving care" to all mankind.
         Yes, God shall have a SEVEN STAR ministry with a message for the churches, and ultimately with a message for all mankind. As "in Christ shall all be made alive, but every man in his own order."

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