The mystery of the seven stars, which 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. Rev. 1:20.
Revelation 1:12-20 presents a fantastic description of "one like a son of man" (Jesus) standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands. In verse 20 we learn that the seven lampstands represent seven churches in Asia Minor. So the key idea in this part of chapter 1 is that Jesus is in close relationship with His churches.
What adds spice to this observation is the fact that the second part of each letter (the description of Jesus) in the two chapters that follow includes characteristics of Him already mentioned in chapter 1. For example, the letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) describes Jesus as the one who holds the seven stars in His hand (Rev. 1:20) and walks among the seven golden lampstands (verses 12, 13). In the letter to Smyrna (Rev. 2:18) He is the first and the last, the one who died and came to life (Rev. 1:17, 18). Then in the letter to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12) He approaches with a sharp, two-edged sword (Rev. 1:16). So it goes throughout.
In other words, Jesus presents Himself differently to each of the seven churches. No individual church has the full picture of Jesus. Respecting the unique needs and characteristics of each church, He is able to adapt to their particular needs and circumstances. Or put it another way, He offers different strokes for different folks!
These descriptions of Jesus have some incredible implications for everyday Christian life. For one thing, He knows all about each church (Rev. 2:2, 9. 13, etc.), even before they are aware of His presence. And He knows everything there is to know about me, even before I tell Him! The truth about me is safe with Him.
Since He already knows, He can approach each one of us in just the way we need Him most. Jesus respects our uniqueness, He is aware of our different personalities and needs, and He graciously deals with each of us in the way that will do us the most good.
Consider still another implication. If no church and no Christian has the complete picture of Jesus, then we all have every reason to be humble. We are all learners. And we can all teach each other. While I may know a lot more about Jesus than someone I meet, that person may have just the perspective on Jesus that I need that day. The smartest position for a Christian to take is to be a learner in every situation.
Lord, help me to learn from everyone I meet today. Help me also to share with them the unique picture of You that You have given me.
Revelation 1:12-20 presents a fantastic description of "one like a son of man" (Jesus) standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands. In verse 20 we learn that the seven lampstands represent seven churches in Asia Minor. So the key idea in this part of chapter 1 is that Jesus is in close relationship with His churches.
What adds spice to this observation is the fact that the second part of each letter (the description of Jesus) in the two chapters that follow includes characteristics of Him already mentioned in chapter 1. For example, the letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) describes Jesus as the one who holds the seven stars in His hand (Rev. 1:20) and walks among the seven golden lampstands (verses 12, 13). In the letter to Smyrna (Rev. 2:18) He is the first and the last, the one who died and came to life (Rev. 1:17, 18). Then in the letter to Pergamum (Rev. 2:12) He approaches with a sharp, two-edged sword (Rev. 1:16). So it goes throughout.
In other words, Jesus presents Himself differently to each of the seven churches. No individual church has the full picture of Jesus. Respecting the unique needs and characteristics of each church, He is able to adapt to their particular needs and circumstances. Or put it another way, He offers different strokes for different folks!
These descriptions of Jesus have some incredible implications for everyday Christian life. For one thing, He knows all about each church (Rev. 2:2, 9. 13, etc.), even before they are aware of His presence. And He knows everything there is to know about me, even before I tell Him! The truth about me is safe with Him.
Since He already knows, He can approach each one of us in just the way we need Him most. Jesus respects our uniqueness, He is aware of our different personalities and needs, and He graciously deals with each of us in the way that will do us the most good.
Consider still another implication. If no church and no Christian has the complete picture of Jesus, then we all have every reason to be humble. We are all learners. And we can all teach each other. While I may know a lot more about Jesus than someone I meet, that person may have just the perspective on Jesus that I need that day. The smartest position for a Christian to take is to be a learner in every situation.
Lord, help me to learn from everyone I meet today. Help me also to share with them the unique picture of You that You have given me.
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