Haters

Everyone, bar none, is a hater. It is instinctual. Hate is an outcome of our defense mechanism. Just as gods must be appeased, gods also must be protected. We are "as gods" (Gen 3:5) because of knowledge. Before that, mankind were servants, and were content with that (Gen 2:15). Hatred, then, is the desire to sin. We "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).  Thus, all have hatred which is not what God intended.

If we think we are without sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8). Thus, if anyone believes they are without hatred, they deceive themselves. Take note that for those who scream "haters", their disposition is one of  hatred! That's because they too are haters. Calling another person "hater" is not applying the same metric to ourselves as we do others.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

"Judging not" isn't having opinions; it is harsh condemnation as we find in the following verse:

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned...

Calling one a "hater" is the worst accusation that can be made because hatred is the basis of sin:

1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 

Hence, in calling a brother - a fellow man, a "hater" is a two-fold sin: it is hatred itself, and harsh condemnation! The loud-mouthed one who condemns is one who judges harshly. Judging harshly is sinful, and sin is hatred!  What is the first thing a person who is angry does? That person hates! Let is look at this Pavlovian dilemma with which mankind is plagued.

People enjoy amelioration. Some of our best presents to another person is kindness, consideration, tolerance, validation, and other such positive expressions of approval. Everyone wants approval, but no one wants reproof. Any type of disagreement upsets others, who just like you, must be appeased. Yes, human "gods" must be appeased just as God does! God doesn't appreciate it when mankind disagrees with Him, and just as God, humans don't like others to disagree with us! As self-proclaimed gods, just as God, we become angry. The emotion of our anger is hatred!

On the other hand, God's expression of anger is to love us in spite of that, but since men are not really gods, our emotion is hatred. False gods cannot love anyone other than themselves without God's intervention. The main outcome of rebirth is the ability to love again, just as little children love (Mat 18:3).

I have written much on the mechanism of hatred but have not really defined it. We know what it is because we all have experienced it. However, we must stop to recognize our virus! Everyone is born with the virus; it's called original sin. It lies dormant until contact is made with other humans. As an infant matures, so does the virus. In infancy, without the wisdom to discern good knowledge from bad, infants are not held accountable. Whenever they know the difference between good and bad, they are accountable and the virus must be inoculated. The remedy was poured out in the blood of Jesus (Rom 3:25), and the Spirit which flowed with it, is the living water (John 4:10) which heals!

Mat 13:15 ...that they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

What is it that the converted - born-again, will be healed? Hatred! Rather than despising God and others, the regenerated person is commanded to love.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

The idea was there all the time! Love was not new but mankind just failed to recognize the importance of love. The Ten Commandments were how to love, but this new commandment identified it clearly. Because love is "commanded", it is work which we must do! It is not even easy work. It's extremely hard work, and like anything done with effort, it is by the "sweat of our brow" (Gen 3:19). Hard work is not only to obtain nourishment but for spiritual generosity. "As gods" we are selfish, and to be charitable, takes extremely hard work.

Hatred is the reciprocal of love. Since love is a variable, so is hatred. Work is always a variable, and the command is to grow our love. As love increases, hatred decreases - reciprocals. Perfect love is total lack of hatred. We will never be perfect for "only God is good" (Mat 19:17), but we endeavor to be as good as mankind can be! We are called to be perfect (Mat 5:38) but there is none that is (Ecc 7:20). Even David, a man after God's own heart, sinned greatly. He murdered to obtain appeasement - to get what his heart really desired.

You see, hatred is more than anger at another person. It is selfishness - doing our will rather than God's will. Hatred is setting ourselves up as gods. All sins are expressions of hatred. Many claim they do not hate!  Let's see what scripture says about that:

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

We are all haters, so cease the name-calling. When we sin, that is an expression of disdain for God and others. God, with His commandments, knows that if we fail to love others, we don't really love Him. Hence, the degree we work to love others is a measurement of how much we love God!

God's will is love. Conversely, Satan's will is that people hate God and others. Ironically, since love comes with great effort, and is impossible without God, hatred is natural and even instinctual. Our very nature is to hate others. The "old creature" which we must put away is the beast in us, who murders others instinctually. Beasts follow "the law of sin":

Rom 7:23 But I (Paul - a Christian) see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

We struggle between the law of God and the law of sin (Rom 7:25).  One law is as easily called "the law of hatred" and the other "the law of love".

Get over it, name-callers: you too are haters. I am a hater as well! Even with the Holy Spirit, although Paul had much love, which he demonstrated, within him was also hatred. Sanctification is growing in love and dying in hatred. That is our "living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1) - to quit being "as gods', and demanding our way - the way of hatred which is self-aggrandizement.

Yesterday, I was in a discussion with a gentleman. Yes, he really is a civil human being but has never proclaimed that he is a believer. We were discussing Islam and Judaism. He sided with the Muslims vehemently so! After many heated points, his answer came forth: "I just hate the Jews!" he said. When I asked him why, he didn't know except to say, "I guess, because my father did." That is a great admission. We don't need a reason to hate. it is genetic. His father hated Jews because hatred is instinctual. The same goes for his father's father back to Adam.

We don't need reasons to hate. Hatred comes from others not being like us. It comes naturally when others disagree with our defense. My friend was protecting his belief that Jews were arrogant by the emotion of hatred. Unlike love which is work, hatred is an emotion and is proportional to anger - not having what one wants. This man wanted me to agree with his false premises, and in the heat of the moment, he hated me because I support the Jews. He wanted me to hate just as he does! I refuse to do that!

You might say that I hate Muslims. I admit, when people are different than me, my desire is that I want others to be just like my own god, which if you have forgotten, is just like me. We all have that roadblock to love but I admit it. However, I also admit, that since I am NOT God, that would be unwise to mimic. I have no desire that you become clones of me, but followers of Jesus. If one merely follows me, then that would be a ticket to hate.

On the other hand, I do not accept the Islamic religion as truth. I also believe it is dangerous and ideologically hateful if the Islamic believer believes it all. Since I am a Christian, and Islam is contrary to Christianity, it is rebellion against God. It is God's place to punish, and not mine. My tendency is to strike out. Vengeance is not mine  but belongs to the Lord (Deut 32:41). If I strike out, that is hatred. Unless in immediate physical harm's way, I must let God be the one who strikes. My striking-out would be hatred, but His is justice.

The context of the entire Bible is "hate the sin but love the sinner". Where would the reader find that idea? Everywhere in Holy Scripture!

Abandon Ship

I wrestled with my decision all night. I tossed and turned with indecision: shall I or shall I not continue with Revelation? Why even worry about it? When we speak it is useless to do so unless there are listeners. Of course, even one hearer has significance and is appreciated, but I'm trying to present the message of Christ to the world.

Due to Google's change in search criteria, my readership dropped significantly overnight. It appears that unless the blog is profit-making, the readership is limited by preventing keywords from retrieving my posts. That in itself has been discouraging.

Then, I was led to write about the end-of-time titled "Revelation". Readership, in just a few days, dropped 75%. My supposition is that either Revelation is too complicated for the readers, or that the reader cares little about the future. Unless one is righteous, indeed, the future is frightening! I come up short in righteousness, and that scares me as well.

Overnight I made the decision with much remorse, for the time-being, to abandon ship. Hence, at least for now, I will cease writing about the end-of-times, and sail elsewhere. If you want more on Revelation, it is yours for the asking. If one reads the four parts already written, you would find that it is not the typical rehash of others commentary. I was thoroughly researching on my own without resorting to the understanding of others.

Today, I will write on something which was revealed to me last evening. I was watching a documentary on how the Third Reich used entertainment to indoctrinate stubborn people to National Socialism. That initiative was called "Power Through Joy". Today's commentary is not about Nazism. I'll leave that to historians. However, the premise of power through joy is as old as time!

Kraft durch Freude - "power or strength through joy" was part of the German Labor Front's initiative to make willing workers out of the unwilling. The plan was to use entertainment to provide a joyous life. They knew that if things improved for the German worker, the workers would coalesce around National Socialism. However, the entertainment didn't come cheaply. Everything was saturated with propaganda.

Propaganda relies on distortion of truth as a means of deceiving the people. That is "ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause," (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Being a history buff, I had always wondered how socialism could persuade so many people; at least all the ones remaining after dissenters were destroyed. I'm not referring only to the Nazi version of socialism but Marxism in general. People were persuaded by entertainment. Nazis made life seemingly more pleasurable.

They persuaded by three ways: (1) constant repetition of things people wanted to hear, (2) distorting the truth to fit their ideology, and (3) using entertainment, comfort, and pleasure to provide a comfortable milieu. Does those methods sound familiar? They should.

That type of  indoctrination was a technique to use in all aspects of society; hence, totalitarianism. Hitler wanted to remold Germans society to become his super-race. His method of "power through joy" worked wonders. One big difference between National Socialism and Bolshevism in nearby Russia, was that the latter used primarily force and intimidation, whereas Hitler used pleasure before he resorted to intimidation and death. (Of course the Jews were not part of his Kraft durch Freude.)

As one cognitively travels back in time, "power through joy" was not a new technique of remolding. During the French Revolution, the national religion was changed from Christianity to Reason. In what had been churches, became dens of harlots. In all honesty, that alternate religion provided pleasure, and that principle has always been an attractive one to deceive! 

Further back in time, the Roman Empire wooed the citizens by the arenas, public baths, rich food, and all sorts of conveniences non-existent in lesser societies. Historians propose that their society fell because of the pursuit of pleasure. The "pleasure principle" worked for quite some time, but rather than creating a strong national mood, Rome became complacent. Joy, it seems, spoils society. Pleasure does induce apathetic workers to work harder, but the inducement is temporary. Once society is enlightened that entertainment is more pleasurable than work, they abandon ship so to speak, leaving the farms and factories for the arenas, beaches, and restaurants.

In Germany, they were entertained to their own destruction. Prosperity and joy moved quickly to despair and hunger. They had been deceived! Germany became a pile of rubble, advancing the cause only of the deceiver. While Hitler certainly was to blame, Satan instigated him: Kraft durch Freude is Satan's method, and he uses it time and time again!

Traveling further back in time, we find the first time Satan used "power through joy".  Linguists say that freude means much more than "joy". It's some sort of transcendence where nature is all about contentment and living for pleasure. Of course, in the Third Reich, the government created a super-nature for the  super-German people. With the use of all-inclusive cruises, resorts, and sports events; their life was changed from the misery of work to the joy of living. Their willingness to work became their means to the pursuit of pleasure.

The first time "power through pleasure" was used was back in Paradise. You have read this many times before but consider it again:

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

The serpent was not Satan! He was the mouthpiece of Satan.  He told Eve things that she wanted to hear. Eve even guided the serpent toward believing the lie by adding "neither shall ye touch it". She wanted to have the pleasures offered on the tree, and as the tempter tempted her, she led the serpent so as to reinforce the lie. Eve wanted to sin. Why? Because sin is pleasurable, Satan used it to control her - to have power over mankind. She willingly went along with the temptation because that's the path she, in her heart, wanted to follow.

The same goes with the Third Reich. People went along with totalitarianism because that's where pleasure was. Nazism was the Tree and the pleasures were its fruit. Who had what to gain? As Adam and Eve got temporary pleasure, the German Volk did as well. As Satan gained power for a time, Hitler did as well. Truly, "there is nothing new under the sun" (Solomon in Ecclesiastes)!

Of course, all this history is to no avail unless we consider contemporary life. In these times we have no Hitler. As much as Marxists don't want to hear it, Trump is no Hitler, and is neither a Fascist nor a Nazi. The one who controls America is much more subtle than that! America is controlled by principalities - supernatural entities whose desire is to control. Their power is derived from the people. As the "Confessing Church' in the Third Reich were the few who continued the Christian Way, the German Church went the way of the world.

Today, there are few people in America's "confessing church". That Church are those who remain faithful to the inspired word of God. They are the true church who confesses the will of God. What is God's will? That truth be done.  God is truth (John 14:6). Whatever He says is correct and real. God offers contentment, hope, and true joy. Entertainment merely offers pleasure. However, most people are content with pleasure!

In the western world, we are surrounded by entertainment. From the moment people arise until they retire to bed, and many as they sleep, their lives are pervaded by entertainment. (Some I know sleep with their TV's or radios still on. They say they can't go to sleep without it!). If it was truly only entertainment, the problem would still be huge, but it's much deeper than that - all entertainment has a message!

The message within Christian music should be Christ. Of course, if the purpose is mainly for entertainment the message is missed. Therefore, Christian music must be for the glory of God, and not to entertain the congregation. It's a thin line but discerning Christians can recognize the difference.

Secular music also always have messages. Their message, they admit, is not about God. However, they fail to attribute much of their music to it's author. The entertainers are akin to the serpent. They are Satan's mouthpieces. It is his message which they display. Some don't even know it! Others, such as Beyoncé, acknowledge the source of their talent. She claims to be directed by the personality, Sasha Fierce. Sasha, in the Russian, means "defender of man". Fierce is self-descriptive. She knows who she follows, and is proud of it. Her listeners fail to believe that she is possessed. Like Eve, they want to believe the lie, and contribute to it. Many deceived people empower Satan by supporting his messengers. Beyoncé is surely the wily serpent, and Sasha her demon voice.

Other entertainers are less transparent. They may not even know whose message they present. Like the killers of Jesus, they "know not what they do!" I know; I read the Word. If it is not of God, it belongs to Satan. Unfortunately, God allows, for a time, that Satan be "Prince of the Air" (Ephes 2:2). He uses the air well! All through the day and night the air is permeated with his message. Satan uses power to control. Hitler knew that, and did the same thing. Hitler was successful in deluding the volk, and Satan is successful in deluding the folks. Why?  The same devil is the author.

I'm not comparing America and the west to the Third Reich. I'm sharing that both are servants of the prince of the air. The message then was nationalism. The message now is atheism. Atheism is, in all honesty, much more pleasurable than theism. Everyone can do what is right in their own eyes! On the other hand, joy really only comes from hope. There is no joy in atheism.

America has been indoctrinated. They are children of pleasure. Most Americans already belong to Satan; even those in the church who merely go to be entertained. In my lifetime, I have watched our children turn from obedience to little devils - doing whatever they want. Parents sit by and are entertained alongside them, not even caring that entertainers are raising their children to be atheists.

An atheist said that children are indoctrinated from infancy to be Christians. That certainly is God's Way:

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Church songs, scripture, prayer, example, and all things Christian are to teach children to be Christians. Christianity is transparent. On the other hand, little atheists are made the same way! When all they hear is satanic messages as they are entertained, if not little demons such as Jennifer Lawrence and Mily Cyrus, they may be atheists like he current "Bachelor".

I have little use for most entertainers. Not because of them but the message they covertly present. We have become acclimated to sin. Drugs were, in my childhood, a thing done in the dark, and users were the low-lifes of society. Homosexuality existed but the closet was small. Now, the latter is made normal even by law. What we only whispered in shame is force-fed to us through  the media. "Fake news" is modern-day propaganda and entertainment is saturated with deception. Americans buy into it as long as they obtain their pleasure.

In the lawless society in the days of Noah people did the unspeakable. The world was destroyed and washed in water. Today, it is as in the days of Noah. Next time it will be washed in fire! So much for Revelation! Who even cares? Abandon ship? Not I.

Revelation - Part 4

Our destiny depends on who we are. There are two books of records kept. They may be pages in actual books but more likely the Book of Life and "another book" are recorded in the Mind of Jesus Christ. As Jesus is "the Word", he may not only speak and have the Word of God written, but may record our "words" as well. 

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

Yes, there are two books. God keeps good records because He is fair. Since the Word judges, it makes sense that Jesus bears the records for he is the metric to which all our actions, thoughts, and emotions are compared; even our thoughtlessness is recorded in "another book". When one is "born-again", not to be confused with "saved",  our "safety" is when our sins are crossed out of the one book and added to the Book of Life. The latter book is our visa until we inherit the Kingdom of God, and become citizens thereof. For pragmatic reasons, let's call "another book", the Book of Death because as long as our unpardoned sins are in there, we are destined for eternal death. Whatever the case, Jesus is the keeper of the books as one is called the Lamb's Book of Life (21:27).

Revelation is all about either having one's sins remain in the Book of Death (not to be confused with the Egyptian Book of the Dead) or have one's name written in the Book of Life. Those two books are eschatology known to God and used either for us or against us! What we think, do, desire, and feel is known to God who even knows the "hairs of our head" (Luk 12:7). We are watched by none other than "the Ghost of Jesus" who not only Comforts us but watches over and guides. 

We should not be confused! Jesus did ascend to Heaven where he now resides. However, immediately after he ascended,  his Ghost descended (Acts 1 and 2), and is still with us! In fact, those "born-again" are imbued with the "Holy Ghost". Do not despair; the Holy Ghost is still the Holy Spirit, the big difference being one of experience. God's Holy Spirit experienced death. Only the King James translators used the Greek word pneuma in context:

John 7:39 But this spake he (Jesus) of the Spirit (pneuma), which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost (pneuma) was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

What does this even matter? David had the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16:13), and David knew Jesus (Mat 22:42-44). David was influenced by the same Holy Spirit who died on the cross as Jesus Christ. (I don't care for the term "filled with the Holy Ghost" because as sinners, we still have dirtiness within. Scripture uses the term pletho - meaning "imbued, influenced or supplied" from Strong's Dictionary.)

"God with us" - Emmanuel, is still with us. That is the "name" of the Holy Ghost, if we think about it. He is the One mentioned as "the faithful witness" in the following verse:

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ (God With Us), who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, with his spiritual presence bears witness to our spiritual status. He is the One who knows whether or not we have truly been born-again. Likewise, if we're not, Jesus is the one who writes in the Book of Death our sins of which we have not repented.

It is important to know what sins are yet in the Book of Death.

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...

When we are born-again, although Jesus paid the price for all sins, when we repent, it is for past sins. I am of the impression that even the sins of the  righteous are recorded in the Book of Death, but are covered by also having one's name in the Book of Life. That's why Christians are "safe".

Those sins in the Book of Death, as I call it, are not damning but are disappointments to God. By repentance and further obedience, the sins within the book are blotted out (Acts 3:19) as they were blotted out a rebirth. Obedience rectifies past sins, and avoids future penalties. When Christians repent, that shows a willingness to obey, and repentance is our way of loving God (John 15:10). As such, the Book of Death may just be a "Book of Reminders" for Christians to work harder to please God.

There is one sin, however, which stays forever and is why it is the Book of Death:

Mat 12:21 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

The KJV interpreters wisely used "Holy Ghost" rather than "Holy Spirit" because Ghost signifies that God died on the cross. If we reject the notion that God Himself died for us, and shed His own blood in our place, that is blasphemy. "Ghost" works better because it accentuates God's death. For those who deny that Jesus died for them, they should not have a place in Heaven, and they don't!

Those whose names are written in the Book of Life are "safe" even if they have unconfessed sins remaining in the "Book of Reminders" Those not "safe" do not have their names written in the Book of Life. In my humble opinion, blasphemy is the intent of the "Second Commandment" (see my "Daily Thought" at http://kentuckyherrin.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-reverence-of-gods-name.html).

Sins don't accumulate until one has enough to be moved from the Book of Life to another! Apostasy is that one thought or attitude: God did not die for me, or not being serious about it; thus, vanity.

I submit all these words to exemplify that Jesus is "the faithful witness" in 1:5. He is the keeper of the books! We are in the Book of Life if we accept that it is "him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." That is the new birth and the qualifier for the Book of Life.

Eschatologically speaking, "and (Jesus) hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." (1:6). In God's Kingdom, if we are born-again, our heritage is royalty: to be kings and priests unto God. We shall obtain what Saul died for trying to be - both king and priest.

If the reader is indeed born-again, that revelation is exciting. Why dread the kingship and priesthood? Why only let God be with us when we can be with God? Poor choices in that matter has another revelation which we shall soon learn!

Revelation - Part 3

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne...

Now is a good time to jump ahead because there is a strong valance between the seven Spirits, seven stars, and seven lampstands. It seems that these seven Spirits are exemplified by the "seven stars" held by Jesus:

3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 

The "seven stars" are the seven angels, or messengers to the seven churches. We know from 2:1 that the churches are designated by the "seven golden lampstands".  The seven lampstands are as old as worship itself:

Ex 25:31And thou (Moses) shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:..

The question is why the menorah - Hebrew for the seven lampstands? That one lamp base represents the invisible and universal church in Christian thought. The center "Lamp" is Jesus Christ. (12:20), and obviously one of the seven churches which was most faithful. Many agree that was the Church at Philadelphia. In scripture words means things. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love". It is no coincidence that both the center lampstand represented Jesus and the church at Philadelphia - both together are the Greatest Commandment - love God and our brothers.

Ironically, the Menorah is the symbol on Israel's coat of arms. The seven churches are the offspring of Israel! The seven lamps of the Menorah are on one base:

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There are not two faiths: Christianity and Judaism. John Chapter 1 makes it clear that the Torah (the Law) is all about Jesus! Because Jews for the most part failed to accept the Truth - that the Messiah Is God in the flesh, Paul turned to the Gentiles. Paul wrote in several places of the "mystery of God", and the "mystery of Christ". They are the same, and in the beginning, everyone sinned, grace was for all, it was always by Jesus, and salvation was always by faith! Hence, in the end, Jews will finally see the Light, and complete the Church. The Menorah with it's lampstands represent unity and wholeness.

The Menorah wasn't made of gold without a purpose. That signifies God's kingdom. In John 3:16 the "whosever" are all that "believeth in him". The seven candlesticks represent all the Church/churches who were in the Light!

Because, the apostles were to take the gospel to the nations, the seven candlesticks fulfill this prophecy:

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Christians are called to carry the light in all the lands or peoples (ethnos). The seven churches were to spread throughout the world. It is by no accident that from one land, Eden, that seven lands emerged. Scripture speaks of continental drift long before mankind knew it had drifted! In Genesis 1, the firmament was separated from the waters. There was one land called Eden. (Note: scientists call it "Pangea"). With the deluge came the separation of the nations:

Deut 32:8  When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Twelve peoples lived in seven lands. The Menorah just may be a reminder than even in the dispersion, God's people are still His.  The Book of the Secrets of Enoch - a pre-apostolic commentary on Genesis, expounds on the Creation:

Secrets of Enoch 28:1 AND then I made firm the heavenly circle, and made that the lower water which is under heaven collect itself together, into one whole, and that the chaos become dry, and it became so. 2 Out of the waves I created rock hard and big, and from the rock I piled up the dry, and the dry I called earth, and the midst of the earth I called abyss, that is to say the bottomless, I collected the sea in one place and bound it together with a yoke. 3 And I said to the sea: 'Behold I give thee thy eternal limits, and thou shalt not break loose from thy component parts. 4 Thus I made fast the firmament. This day I called me the first-created.

There was made in the beginning one circle - dry land, which collected itself together. The land was intended to stay one, and not break off several pieces from the whole. That land was Eden, and on its eastern edge was the Garden. The "midst of the earth" is where the land was piled. Mediterranean means, "middle of the earth", and it's sea there appears to be the abyss.  That land was God's realm of earth, and He ruled it! Now what does that have to do with the seven?

Secrets of Enoch 27:1 AND I commanded that there should be taken from light and darkness, and I said: 'Be thick,' and it became thus and I spread it out with the light, and it became water, and I spread it out over the darkness, below the light, and then I made firm the waters, that is to say the bottomless, and I made foundation of light around the water, and created seven circles from inside, and imaged it (sc. the water) like crystal wet and dry, that is to say like glass, and the circumcession of the waters and the other elements, and I showed each one of them its road, and the seven stars each one of them in its heaven, that they go thus, and I saw that it was good. 2 And I separated between light and between darkness, that is to say in the midst of the water hither and thither, and I said to the light, that it should be the day, and to the darkness, that it should be the night, and there was evening and there was morning the first day.

The seven candlesticks obviously meant Light. In the beginning all the Light which shone was from God! In that Light he created Eden and the seas. The seven circles were part of the one circle mentioned before. These were what we called until modern times - the seven continents of the world. Their "road" was the path of continental drift. As the languages were separated, so were the people. Today, six continents are recognized. Europe and Asia are no longer separate continents but remain two lands.

The "seven" stars guided their path. It would appear that those "seven stars" are the "seven angels" spoke of in Revelation. Thus, as rebellion separated the nations, in the end, Christ brings them together again! You may think this is reading too much into God's Plan, but He is Almighty! I never cease to be amazed at the detail of His Plan. From Genesis to Revelation, God's Plan never changed one time! It has always been about Jesus and his grace!

I stopped short of addressing the Jewish Menorah in full. Little did they know, except for the patriarchs, that their candelabra was all about Jesus just as the tabernacle and the temple were!

In Judaism the candelabra represents the seven days of Creation with the center one the day of rest. It appears to me that the six candlesticks represents life itself, and the seventh the millennial reign of Jesus where he rests from his "work" of forgiving sins. The Menorah sat on the southern side of the temple (Wikipedia; "Menorah").

On the left side of the Holy Place was the golden lampstand. It provided light as the priest approached the Holy of Holies were God was seated on His throne atop the Ark of the Covenant. What "covenant" does one suppose that was? It was one of grace. Emmanuel - God With Us, the One who sat on that Ark was the Word who was "called Jesus" (Luke 2:21).

It was Jesus's golden lampstand back in the tabernacle and temple, and in Revelation, it is still Jesus's Light!

On a personal level, the seven candlesticks represent the Light shown to those born-again. Even though the temple was lit by the candlesticks, peace was not yet forthcoming for the Jews. Even though the Menorah sat in Jerusalem, which means "foundation of peace", the peace was for the seven churches of Asia. The church in Jerusalem became impertinent as the gospel spread unto the world. The candelabra will someday return to Jerusalem! I believe that foundation of peace is where the Garden was - right there in the east of Eden in the middle of the earth", and where New Jerusalem will be.

One can see that the symbolism of the seven candlesticks, seven Spirts, seven angels, seven stars, seven churches, and spreading the gospel to the seven lands is of extreme importance.

Back in 1:4 these "seven spirits" were "before God's throne". It is no coincidence that the golden candlestand back in Deuteronomy had the same design, purpose. and location - before God's throne, as they do in future events. God shed light on His Plan back there in tabernacle days. The priest knew that those seven candlesticks were a representation of the Messiah. They worshiped Jesus before it was cool, so to speak!

Now the Light of God still shines in His temple, but that is in the hearts of mankind! When one sees the light, we look up to the Light of Jesus (John 3), and Jesus lifts us up! Those seven candlesticks mean much, and one meaning is our own relationship to Jesus Christ!

Revelation - Part 2

John saw what Jesus showed him:

Revelation 1:2 (John) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

It is important to know that John didn't dream this stuff up on his own. His was shown to him. He saw things others could not see. Sacred writings (Books of Adam and Eve) refer to this as mankind's original condition before sin darkened their sight.  Therein, seeing spiritual visions is referred to as "bright eyes" and those with a "bright nature" could see even unto the heavens.

The Book of Revelation is a deposition providing testimony that John saw what he saw before it happened. His account of future events is as valid as any prophet of old. The veracity of prophecy has always been that it come true. What was written in scripture about Jesus has all came to pass. Likewise, with John's visions, the expectation is that they will also come to pass. What is written may seem to be of the same genre as Star Wars and science fiction, but it is serious business! Just as the eunuch was reading scripture, and did not understand it until Philip explained it, we too need scripture explained. 

I am not starting this commentary with a prideful attitude. I have studied Revelation under the tutelage of different people four times, and have read several books of commentary. Admittedly, I still do not even understand a fraction of it. On the other hand, if we seek knowledge in spirit and truth, it will be revealed. This is the one place in scripture wherein we must be cautious. It is literal in some places and symbolic in others. Don't let this surprise  you. The entire Old Testament (OT) was written as literal events which had symbolic meaning as well. Jesus's name was not used in the OT but yet it was all about Jesus!

Why should Christians read Revelation since it is not how to be saved? Because it is the destiny of the saved and unsaved! 

1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

What's more the readers shall be blessed - provided with contentment and happiness.  Everyone won't be blessed; some will be depressed. Readers must "hear the words of prophecy". It is possible to read all that is written and still not "hear" the spiritual message. Revelation reveals punishment. That scares most. However, it also reveals a utopian existence. I hope to share in that, and find it rewarding. Being both punishment and reward, the book is eschatological for everyone. If anyone had a desire to know their future,  a seer is not the place to go. All that can be seen has been seen and is written within the pages of this book. We are even warned not to add to or take away from what is written (22:19).

"For the time is at hand" for the things written to come about. Humans are impatient. For God "one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). We are also told in scripture to not endeavor to determine the day nor the hour of when Jesus's second-coming will be (Mat 24:36). Time was made for mankind. The equivocation is not a formula. It merely insinuates that God is not bound by time nor is he a clock-watcher. I believe that the Almighty God "thought and spoke" and it happened - instantaneously for Him but one earth day for us!

In the non-canonical Books of Adam and Eve, God made a covenant with Adam that he (Adam) would be saved in five-and-one-half days. That is likely where Peter got his equation. God went on to explain that that time was 5500 years. That is on the sixth millennial day. On the seventh day, God rested from His work. In the millennial scheme of things, on the seventh day "God's rest" is Jesus's millennial reign. (More on that later.) Eternity, God explained to Adam, is the eighth day or thereafter subsequent to the seventh day or seventh millennia. The "return to the Garden" is after Jesus's death when God died to save mankind.

If that is true, right now the anno mundi (A.M.) time is accepted as 5750. If it was 5500 A.M. when Jesus died in 30 A.D., then there is an accuracy problem with the current calculations of the world's age. It would already be 7487 A.M. The accuracy of 5750 is questionable, and has a 2000 or so years possible error. At any rate, it's easy to see that the end-of-days is at hand if it starts no later than 7999 A.M.

Julius Africanus and a few others early on calculated the earth's birth age as ca 5500 B.C. ("Answers in Genesis"). That is exactly, within a few years of course, the 5500 years from Adam's sin to Adam's reprieve with the death of Christ. That is the Adamic Covenant.

Looking further at 1:3, "at hand" in the Greek is eggus which best means "throttled". Those of us who are on the far side of fifty realize what throttled time means. The long hot days of summer in the fifties are mere instances in the new millennium. As we age, time accelerates in our minds. The end - death, approaches at lightening speed the older we get. Thus, time is throttled and events come much more quickly than we think:

22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

You see, at the end, Jesus testified that he said those things to John. He defined "at hand" as "quickly". Because Jesus is coming soon, it is imperative to know what will happen. It just may help us along with exercising our wills. The decision is:  shall I trust Jesus or not? Using our thought processes, we will come to a decision which has the most reward for us! After reading Revelation, you just may decide to be in the winners circle when the prize is awarded! Revelation should aid in making a wise decision!

Coming quickly, the reader must not hesitate nor falter, for "the time is at hand!" Now is the time for a decision. Perhaps Jesus will help you decide well. He never decides for us, but provides the Light for us to see better. Revelation is that Light! Through John's eyes, we can see Jesus, and have a "heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear" (Deut 29:4).

Jer 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not...

"Hear" what John has written. Hear with the mind which God gave you. Your senses and faculties are not merely for your use, but are tools of God. Pick up those tools and build-up, not yourself, but God.

1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne...

John wrote these things to the "seven churches which are in Asia". They probably did get these words sooner or later. However, the content of the words are obviously for mankind! The Greek word ekklesia is transliterated "churches" but Strong's Dictionary indicates "for those called out" as the literal meaning. Specifically, those called out in "Asia". In context, "Asia" is now Asia Minor and specifically the eastern shore. This is specifically the place of those seven extant churches, but since "Asia" is the spiritual center of the world, it seems to be meant for all mankind. Indeed, the words in Revelation transcend time, and is for all the ages.

As such, the "seven churches" are specifically those of the apostolic age, and are named shortly in scripture. On the other hand, the words therein are appropriate for any locale or time. Hence, many theologians speak of the seven church ages or eras. It is obvious that the words in Revelation is for everyone who seeks truth. Therefore, it is timeless. We should look for us in what is written because it was written for us!

Also in 1:4 John writes of the "Existence" of God who is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end (1:8). If God was in the beginning, where was He? Creating! If God is here now, where is He? Communing with His Creation? If God is there in the end, what will He be doing? Judging, punishing, and saving.  Revelation focuses on the latter three.

What or who are the seven Spirits (pneuma)?

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord (1) shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom (2) and understanding (3), the spirit of counsel (4) and might (5), the spirit of knowledge (6) and of the fear (7) of the Lord; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. (parentheses and bold type mine).

These seven seem to be gifts of grace because all are necessary to be born-again, or enlightened (seeing the Light). We must be "born of the Spirit" (John 3:5, 6, and 8). God gives wisdom to those who seek it (James 1:5). The Word of God imparts understanding (Psalm 119:130).  In wise counsel there is divine safety (Prov 11:14). The ways of the Lord makes one mighty (2 Chron 27:6). "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov 1:7). We're not to fear because God is with us.  (Isa 41:10).

Jesus held in his hand those seven "stars" (1:16) which are the angels of the seven churches (1:20).  Angels are messengers. It would appear that Jesus held up those seven messages to the seven churches. Do the seven churches represent all of us? Tomorrow we will look at that.