The Seven

2006-12-15 05:42:00

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 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 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. (Revelation 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 superficial as it may seem in this book.

In orthodox interpretation the candlesticks are merely the seven churches and no additional layers of meaning are 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 which 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 yet 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. 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.

Next we will examine the seven churches and seek to discover which ray each represents and the inner message to the aspiring disciple. Let us first list them with their equivalent meaning from the Greek:

Ephesus comes from the Greek EPHESINOS, which in turn is derived from EPHESOS and means "permitted."
Smyrna is derived from the Greek SMURNA, which is the herb myrrh. This is an antiseptic and was used for embalming, and ingredient of oil used for anointing. Myrrh was one of the gifts of the three wise men to the infant Jesus.
Pergamos is unchanged from the Greek spelling and is derived from PERGOS, which means a "tower" or fortification "rising to a considerable height, to repel a hostile attack or to enable a watchman to see in every direction."
Thyatira comes from THUATEIRA which is thought to be associated with affliction.
Sardis comes from SARDIES and means "red ones." It was a particularly luxurious city.
Philadelphia in the Greek means "brotherly love." This was sometimes called "the white city."
The seventh church was the Laodiceans from the Greek LAODIKEUS and means "justice of the people."

Next we will examine them one at a time.

Some things have to be believed to be seen. Ralph Hodgson