Seven Churches and Seven Stars
7 Churches is a mystery
This article will reveal the mystery of : “7 Churches and 7 Stars“, it is the “1260 days” and “a time, times, and half a time“.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. – Revelation 1:3
Apostle John got the revelation was on the island called Patmos, he heard a loud voice like a trumpet : “Write what you see in a book and send it to the “seven churches“(7 stars), to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Why did Jesus say the Revelation is for 7 Churches only? Why not all churches? Is that other churches are no need to read the Revelation? Why did Jesus say Seven Churches and Seven Stars is a mystery? Does it mean they symbolizing something? If so, what do the 7 Churches symbolizing? What do the 7 stars symbolizing?
For 7 Churches only
Yes, Jesus said the Revelation was given to the 7 churches only, and also he was “mainly” talking to the 7 Stars. But all 7 churches are not existed now, is that means the Revelation has passed? And all God’s words of Revelation has fulfilled?
Surely no, so “7 Churches” must not referred to those 7 churches in 1st century only. Jesus said it was a “mystery“, therefore it shall not means those 7 churches only but also symbolizing something. Almost all messages of Revelation that given to John are symbols, just like encoding the Revelation.
Jesus would sent the Morse code to the 7 stars at the appropriate time, so that 7 stars can understand(decode) the Revelation and then send it to all churches. The decoded message is not just give to 7 stars only, but they have to send it to all Churches. And each Church has a special meaning, what does it mean? Actually, each Church symbolic a specific “period”, seven Churches symbolic “7 periods”.
That’s why Jesus said the Revelation was for 7 churches only, his meaning was the 7 periods of his Churches. If this only refers to those 7 churches in 1st century, telling them what will happen of the End Day is meaningless, for they won’t stay to the End Day, they were not existed long time ago. Also the Revelation is worthless to them because they didn’t know what was Jesus talking about, and they didn’t understand its’ meaning, what things it is symbolic.
So 7 Churches period must symbolize a whole of all churches period from 1st century to the End Day. It is very important to let churches know what will be happened in the End Day, it will be very meaningful, necessary and valuable for all churches, especially now a day. And 7 stars symbolic 7 key men who have the stewardship and leading all churches. Why we can say that? Let’s see “Two Witnesses” first…
Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:2-4 says “…they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my “two witnesses”, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees and the “two lampstands” that stand before the Lord of the earth.”
Two witnesses symbolic two olive trees and two lampstands. For the “lampstand”, what did Jesus say?
Revelation 1:20 says, “As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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”.”
Jesus told us lampstand symbolizes the church, so 2 witnesses are 2 lampstands, 2 lampstands are 2 Churches, then 7 lampstands are 7 Churches. And the olive tree symbolizes a large organization, such as Church which is similar to a big complex tree structure . As you know the message of Revelation was sent to 7 Churches only, so 2 lampstands shall be referred to the 2 among of 7 Churches.
So does it mean only 2 Churches(2 witnesses) witnessing and prophesy 1260 days? Why did God say only 2 Churches? Why not 7? How about the other 5? Are they no need to prophesy and witnessing Jesus? And when did the “1260 days” witnessing period begin? Let’s see…
The mystery of 7 Churches ; 1260 days ; “a time, times, and half a time”
Revelation chapter 12 says, there was a heavenly woman who gave birth to a male child(symbolic Jesus), the male child was caught up to God’s throne. After that the heavenly woman went to the wilderness 1260 days or “a time, times, and half a time”, the place which prepared by God for her.
When did the “1260 days” start? We can say it started from AD70, because Jerusalem was destroyed in that year(half of “One Seven”). This is based on the symbolized period of Daniel’s vision “seventy sevens”, the half(3.5) of last “One Seven”.
Revelation 12:17 says the heavenly woman gave birth to many offspring(144000) who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony(two witnesses-two churches) of Jesus, and the dragon made war on them.
How long did they hold the testimony of Jesus and on war with the dragon? It is “1260 days” or “a time, times, and half a time”. This is the 2 witnesses period(2 Churches period). But how about the other 5 churches? Are they no need to prophesy and witnessing Jesus? Absolutely not. Why?
Because Jesus encouraged all 7 Churches “do the works you did at first”, “hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith”, “keeps my works until the end”, “that your latter works exceed the first”, “I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent”….
That means all 7 Churches have to prophesy and witnessing Jesus. Each Church symbolic a period, so 7 Churches symbolic “seven churches period” that started from AD70 till to the End Day. Why are they “2” witnesses? Why not one witness or 7 witnesses? The arrangement of two witnesses is according Deuteronomy 17:6 “On the evidence of two witnesses …”. So it should be at least 2 witnesses witnessing at the same time to prove their evidence.
God said it should be 2 Churches witnessing in the same time, that means witnessing period of 2 Churches(2 witnesses) would be overlapped. Then the result should be : “2 Churches” is equal to “a time” ; then “One Church” would be “half a time” ; and “4 Churches” would be “times”. So if we use A to G to represent 7 Churches…
Then it should be like that : “a time” is “A+B” 2 Churches witnessing period. “times” will be “C+D” and “E+F” 4 Churches witnessing period. And “half a time” is mainly the “G” Church witnessing period.
Is that what mystery of “a time, times, and half a time” means? Does this mystery has been revealed? Yes, I think so.
But please wait, Revelation 11:4 says there should be “2 churches” witnessing at the same time, they are overlapped, but the last 7th Church is only one. How come be like this? Does it not match the condition of “2” Churches witnessing at the same time?
Timeline of “7 Churches Period”
It is easy for us to define the first 2 churches(Ephesus and Smyrna) which is “a time”, starting of 7 churches period “a time, times, and half a time”. But after that the other 5 churches are rised one by one, and they(at least 2 churches) would witnessing at the same period. It is difficult for us to define the witnessing end date of each church, and definitely say the start date of each church. But we can say which 2 churches are “mainly” witnessing in a “time”.
Therefore the “2 witnesses” of 7 Churches is a overlapped period of “a time, times, and half a time” ; “1260 days” should be like this…
“a time”
- “a time” : A ^ B —— (^ represents witnessing at the same time)
(A ^ B : Ephesus + Smyrna 2 Churches witnessing period) ;
“times”
- “a time” : C ^ D => (B+C) ^ (C+D)
(C ^ D : mainly Pergamum + mainly Thyatira 2 Churches witnessing period) ;
- “a time” : E ^ F => (D+E) ^ (E+F)
(E ^ F : mainly Sardis + mainly Philadelphia 2 Churches witnessing period) ;
“half a time”
- “half a time” : G => F ^ G
(G : Philadelphia + mainly Laodicea 2 Churches witnessing period => the End Day)
The following timeline table shows “7 Churches period” ; “1260 days” ; “a time, times, and half a time”. You can see that each period having 2 Churches witnessing at the same time, the starting time of churches period is approximate not exactly except Ephesians and Smyrna Churches.
“a time, times, and half a time” is also equal to 42 months, that means the average of each Church witnessing period is a symbolic six months. The above is the prophecy of 7 Churches, we will see that the history development later is fulfilling what was Jesus said.
Seven Stars
Then who are 7 Stars? We are not sure, only Jesus and Father know them exactly. Although we don’t know who are they, but Revelation 1:20 tells us “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches”. Why did Jesus say 7 stars are angels? Are they really the angels(not men)?
No, they are men not angels. If they are really the angels, how come Jesus sent message to apostle John first, and then asked John to convey Jesus’ message to 7 angels? Why not Jesus send them message directly in heaven? Also Revelation chapter 2-3 about 7 stars seems is talking to the man not angel.
So, surely 7 stars are human, because their “face”(personalities) are similar to heavenly angel, just like Acts 6:15 says, “all who sat in the council saw that his(Stephen) face was like the face of an angel”. 7 Stars are the one with stewardship of 7 church periods, who is responsible to lead the witnessing work of all churches of whole world. The main duty of the Seven Stars is to spread God’s message to all churches around the world. They are God’s messengers just like angels.
It is likely what Jesus said in Luke 12:42,43. He probably was talking about the star of the church, he said “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time(reveal God’s message)? 43 Blessed is that servant(the last star) whom his master will find so doing when he comes. “
Although we are not sure all 7 stars who they are, but we probable know who is the first star. Most likely the apostle Paul. Why we can say that? Because Ephesians 3:2 Paul said “assuming that you have heard of the “stewardship of God’s grace” that was given to me…”. And also the revelation was given to Paul, Ephesians 3:3 says “how the mystery was made known to me by revelation,…”
How do the Seven Stars lead churches around the world to bear witness to Jesus? Is it relying on his personal talent and charisma? No. Is it because of his outstanding appearance and knowledgeable talents? No. Is it because he is most rich and powerful man? No.
Because they are the one whom God chosen, like angel who can place the prayers rise before God. Yes, for they can lead the witnessing work of all churches is because of their prayer, for God would listen and accept their prayer.
Matthew 16:19 Jesus said, “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
So whatever they pray to Heavenly Father and Jesus, the heaven will answer their prayers. Jesus will send angels to fulfill his prayers, especially the prayer is about the testimony work. Not only the 7 stars witnessing, but there is a big organization(angels) in heaven behind to carry out the witnessing work.
Revelation 11:5,6 says, “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.”
7 Churches symbolic Period
Why we can say 7 churches represent the timeline of churches from the 1st century to the end time? It related to the last half 3.5 of prophecy “seventy sevens”, please read it. Another evidence is Revelation 1:19,20 says,
“19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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.”.
So Jesus said, somethings(churches) ‘those that are‘(existing) in the 1st century, and somethings(churches) ‘those that are to take place after this‘(future).
Another evidence is : Jesus did not tell the first four churches about his coming, but he told the 5th, 6th and especially the last one. What did he say?
Jesus told the star of 5th church Sardis, ” I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come”. That means Jesus won’t come in the 5th church period. If he come in the 5th church period, the 5th star will see Jesus and know what hour he come.
Jesus told the star of 6th church Philadelphia, “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon“. That means Jesus not yet come but soon. And Church Philadelphia will stay until Jesus come, for Jesus said he will “keep you…”. The real Philadelphia Church of 1st century had already gone, it couldn’t waits until Jesus comes. It proves that the 7 Churches must be the symbolized period not only those 7 churches in 1st century.
And Jesus told the star of 7th church Laodicea, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”. That means he has come and arrived, just open the door you will see him. If someone knocking your door, you would say “he has come”, when you open the door you will see him. So Jesus will come in the last Church Laodicea period, this will be the End Day, you will see Jesus!
So the 7 Churches period is from Jesus leaved, from AD70 till to his come back period. When Jesus arrived, it will be the End Day, the Great Tribulation, the God’s Day. It occurs at the last Church Laodicea time. So that’s why we can say the 7 Churches period is from 1st century the Ephesus to the Laodicea Church. Jesus will come back in the Laodicea Church period, can be said we are in the Laodicea Church period now.
What church do you belong to? No matter what church you are belonging, maybe some knowledge of God or Christian doctrines are different from each others, the most important is do what Jesus taught us, love good and hate evil. Also be zealous in witnessing and repent now, as Jesus told us before leaving :
Matthew 28:19,20 says, “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 5:14,15 “You are the light of the world(Lampstands). A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
So no matter what church(Lampstands) you are belonging, we are a part of the symbolized worldwide Church. All churches have to shine its light, they need to witnessesing Jesus Christ and teach people God’s Word. For some evil churches which are using Jesus name to hurt people making unrighteous money, Jesus had forewarned them in Matthew 7:22,23 and Matthew 25:31,32,41 says,
Matthew 7:22,23 : On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 25:31,32,41 says, When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ‘”
So may all churches who have an ear, let him hear what Holy Spirit say. Love good hate evil, be zealous in witnessing Jesus and repent. Amen.
Now, let’s see the history of <the seven churches period> and 7 stars…
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