The Sword of God
“And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” Rev 1:16
“And he had in his right hand seven stars:”
We are told in verse twenty that the seven stars are “the angels of the seven churches,” and that the seven candlesticks “are the seven churches.” We’ll discuss them in more detail when we examine that verse.
“out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword:”
The sword, though often a symbol of war, is also a symbol of divine power. Here are a couple of scriptures that enhance the meaning:
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Eph 6:17
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12
The sword in this sense is “the word of God.” What exactly does this mean? One may answer that the word of God is merely the truth, but is that all there is to it?
Not quite. An algebra teacher can give students a lot of truth, but he has no power to divide “asunder of soul and spirit.”
What, then, is the word of God and why is it so powerful?
The answer is that the word of God is the highest authority of which the mind of man can conceive. This great authority speaks when the soul of man registers his connection with the God Within and feels the affirmation of that truth within his innermost being. What he will register at this point will be true, but with something else added… the seeker feels the great importance and impact of that truth. Whereas the truths in his math class may put him to sleep, the truth from internal revelation awakens him to a level of consciousness never experienced before.
This impact has power to completely change his life and direction. The Dark Agents realize this great power and do all in their means to substitute their outer voice for the inner voice of God, thus creating a Beast to control the sons and daughters of men.
This sword goes out of the mouth of this one-like-Christ, who is a symbol of the soul within. The word of God is thus found through soul contact. It has two edges, meaning that in whatever direction the disciple wields the truth discovered, it will cut to the heart of those who receive. Both the conservatives and liberals, the left and the right, are powerfully affected. Those who are ready will rejoice at the truth. Those who are not will draw their own single-edged sword in anger.
“and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”
When the truth is seen, all darkness around the subject disappears and the source of truth, the Christ within, becomes to the seeker as an internal sun, always sending forth the radiation of light to the mind, causing spiritual vision to increase.
“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.” Rev 1:17-18
When the disciple contacts the inner Christ and receives his first real sword of truth, he does nothing but bask in the greatness of the experience. The interesting thing is that even though he has reached a new plateau, he is doing nothing with the knowledge. He is afraid to do anything because of what people may think and what some may do to him. He is no more used to the spiritual plan than are those who are spiritually dead. He might as well play dead himself if that is all he is going to do with his knowledge.
The inner voice does not give up on the fledgling seeker, but lays his right hand upon him and tells him not to fear.
The right hand is a symbol of labor, and this symbolizes a call to action that finally comes to the consciousness of the seeker. When he does act he overcomes fear.
When he agrees to act he hears further revelation:
“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.”
This inner voice, though new, seems oddly familiar and the aspirant knows internally he can trust it completely. He knows that if he is injured he will be healed. If he is killed he will rise again, and if he is threatened with hell he will turn it into heaven.
After an eternity of progression from time immemorial, he has finally taken the first great step that will lead him to his true home.
The Seven
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” Rev 1:19
It is interesting that John was told to write “the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” In other words, the book is not just predictions of the future, but has teachings applicable in the both the present and future.
“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.” Rev 1:20
Here, we are told plainly that the seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches, and the candlesticks are the seven churches. Nothing, however, is as simplistic as it may seem in this book.
In orthodox interpretation the candlesticks are merely the seven churches, and no additional layers of meaning are normally seen. There is not universal agreement on the seven stars, which are the “angels” of the churches.
The word “angel” comes from the Greek AGGELOS, which means “messenger.” This can refer to a mortal person or a divine being who is acting as a messenger. Some scholars believe the seven angels were seven Bishops of the churches, and others think it is referring to seven angels who work with the churches from the world of Spirit.
Because all scripture can have multiple layers of interpretation and can all be correct, both interpretations have merit.
Let us bypass orthodoxy and go below the surface. What is the inner meaning of the seven churches?
As noted earlier, the word “church” comes from the Greek EKKLESIA, which means “called, or gathered out.” The seven churches represent seven natural divisions among humanity according to their ray qualities, as well as seven stages of progress on the path to discipleship. The seven stars represent leaders who are over these groups. There are leaders such as the Bishops and invisible angels, but also leaders on a higher level who represent Masters working with the Christ and creative lives much higher than any found on this little planet.
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethern and to do good is my religion. – Thomas Paine : Rights of Man
Dec 12, 2006
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