The King Within
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Rev 22:16
The “churches” represent the seekers of the world. These will read the Book of Revelation and internally register the symbolism in their souls. The core message to be witnessed is the unveiling of the path of Christ, or how the disciple can become like the Master.
Jesus declared himself to be two things.
First, he said “I am the root and the offspring of David.”
David was seen as the greatest king in Israel and seekers have long found in prophecy the promise of another like him who will lead Israel to victory.
To increase understanding, it is important to note the exact wording. Jesus says he is both the root (source) of David as well as his offspring – making David the source of him.
The end of our human progression is to enter into the Kingdom of God. Each kingdom has over it a king and the kingdom of God is no exception. The king in the kingdom of God is the God within, or our own higher nature, which is one with God. Because the disciple is one with God, he is the source of the king within. On the other hand, the God within is also our source for this world, making us the offspring of God.
David is a symbol of the God, or king within; it means “beloved.” When the true king within is discovered, the disciple will find that he is indeed beloved and the love of God has always been present with him.
Second, Jesus declared himself to be “the bright and morning star.”
By tradition, the Morning Star has been associated with Venus. It has been called “the bright and morning star” because it is the brightest star-like object in the morning sky.
There are many morning stars according to scripture:
“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding…When the morning stars sang together, and ALL THE SONS OF GOD shouted for joy?” Job 38:4&6
Who are these “sons of God” called morning stars? The scriptures give a clear answer: John the Beloved said, “WE are the sons of God…” I John 3:2
Our roots lie in being morning stars at the foundation of the world and our destiny is to be morning stars again. He who manifests as a Christ, a son of God, is a ‘bright and morning star,” one who continues to give out light when others around him have given up and have ceased to be a light unto the world.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev 22:17
Throughout the Book of Revelation the call is issued forth to all to “come” and follow the path that leads to becoming a morning star and obtaining divine sonship. He that hears the call must tell others to come also. The source of life is freely available to all who are willing.
Adding to and Taking Away
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev 22:18-19
The standard believer thinks that this verse is telling the reader that the Bible is the complete word of God and no further revelation will be given. Anyone who adds more scripture is to be condemned.
The only problem with this is, if it were true, John the Beloved himself would be condemned. Scholars tell us that the Gospel of John was written after the Book of Revelation.
Also, it is common knowledge that the Bible was not even compiled at the time this injunction was given, so John could not be warning us not to add to a book (Bible) that did not yet exist.
Obviously, he was talking about the Book of Revelation – instead of a combination of books as is the Bible.
Those who agree that John is only talking about this book basically see the warning as follows: John is telling the reader that he is not to make any changes in the book by taking passages out or adding in new writings or commentary to become part of the book.
This interpretation has some merit, as the prophets were well aware of human frailties – that seekers like to put their own mark on various teachings. Scribes who duplicated texts were often tempted to take out passages they did not like or add a few sentences of “clarification” to teachings they saw as lacking.
No doubt John realized the danger of some scribe doctoring his words, and saw this warning as a necessary protection for his book.
That said, we must remember that scripture has several layers of interpretation, and this injunction is no exception. In fact, there is another way to see this that has even more importance than the changing of the literal words.
Notice that John is speaking to those who “hear” the words of the book rather than read them. This comes from the Greek AKOUO, which can also be interpreted as understanding.
Those who then hear with their souls and understand the words of John are not supposed to either add to them or take them away. What does this mean in the context of the meaning presented in this treatise?
Simply put it means this: there are certain and necessary steps the seeker must make as he progresses on the path of discipleship toward becoming like the Christ himself, or at least manifesting his inner Christ.
It is a great mistake, yet a common one, for seekers to seek a shortcut and ignore these steps to fool himself and others into thinking that there is an easy route to the kingdom of God.
Orthodox Christians are a quintessential example of this in their teaching of salvation. They take away from the path John outlined by stating that salvation is extremely easy. All one has to do is confess that Jesus is Lord and they will be saved no matter what their works have been.
Many New Agers make the same mistake, claiming such things as space aliens are coming to redeem us or outlining simple steps to bypass hundreds of lives needed to finish our progression.
The only real shortcut is to avoid the pitfalls and apply ourselves in the strenuous service and labor necessary to complete the steps outlined by John.
Other seekers make a mistake in the opposite direction by adding unnecessary dead works that are supposed to bring redemption.
Here are some examples:
- Attending meetings
- Paying money to authorities
- Praying to saints
- Performing ordinances
- Saying Hail Marys
- Pleasing some guru or leader.
- Memorizing doctrine
Some of these may have their place, but they are not steps toward manifesting Christ in the individual. This is accomplished by understanding the principles presented in John’s book and then applying them. Only by following the correct steps will a seeker bring the flow of life from God through his being to manifest the Tree of Life.
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rev 22:20
“Grace” comes from the Greek CHARIS, which is derived from CHAIRO and implies quiet cheerfulness or happiness.
This is indeed a suitable way to end the book – wishing the happiness enjoyed by Christ to be our own. If we do the works of Christ this will indeed be the case.
There are two kinds of men who never amount to much: those who cannot do what they are told and those who can do nothing else. Cyrus H. Curtis (1850 – 1933)
Nov 18, 2006
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