Page 621 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

STAR GAZER - STEAL

where a planet will be years ahead of time. (e) The stars messengers are repeatedly said to be the pastors. (e)
differ in glory. “J. Bayer, in 1603, devised a method or “The personal words of warning (Re. 2:4), reproof (2:5),
system to indicate their brightness or magnitude. No censure (3:1), and encouragement (2:10) best fit the
astronomer today will deny this fact. Stars are now pastor of each local church rather than an holy
known to differ in size, color, light emitted, density, and angel.” [See also Church, Covenant, Daystar, False
heat. Our sun, which is a star, is over 1,000,000 times Teachers, Heaven, Star.]
the size of our earth, yet there are some stars at least a STAR GAZER. Astrologers (Is. 47:13). [See
million times as large as our sun, and some smaller than Astrologer, Witchcraft.]
the planet Mercury” (World’s Bible Handbook). STATE. Condition; station (Ps. 39:5; Pr. 27:23; 28:2;
(2) Star refers to Jesus Christ. He is the “star out of Is. 22:19; Ph. 2:19-20). [For difference between
Jacob” (Nu. 24:17), the “Daystar” (2 Pe. 1:19), and the “standing and state” in the Christian life see
“bright and morning star” (Re. 22:16). “He is the Justification.]
fountain of all light, the bright and the morning star, STATUTE. Decree; legislation; charge (Ex. 15:25;
and as such has given to his churches this morning light 18:16; De. 4:1; Ps. 119:5). [See Law.]
of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect
STAY. (1) To remain in one place (Ge. 32:4; Ex.
day which is approaching” (Matthew Henry). 10:24). (2) To wait for (Ru. 1:13). (3) Support;
(3) The angels are called the “morning stars” (Job foundation (2 Sa. 22:19; Is. 3:1). (4) Chief (Is. 19:13).
38:7), and are called “stars” in Re. 12:4 in conjunction The word “stay” in this verse is translated “cornerstone”
with the fall of Satan. (Lucifer is called “son of the in Is. 28:16. (5) To be stopped; restrained (Le. 13:5; Job
morning” in Is. 14:12.) “These mighty angels—the same 38:11; Eze. 31:15; Ha. 1:10). (6) To cause to stand up;
ones mentioned twice in the prologue to the Book of to uphold (Ex. 17:12; 1 Ki. 22:35). (7) To meditate
Job—were fascinated observers when God provided upon; to depend on; to rest on (Is. 26:3; 48:2).
firm foundations for the earth, and they rejoiced when it
was done, evidently knowing that the earth would be STAY UPON. To wait upon; to trust in (Is. 10:20;
their primary sphere of ministry when God completed 50:10).
his creation. These angels were the ‘morning stars’ in STEAD. In the place of; in behalf of (Ge. 4:25; 2 Co.
the Hebrew poetic parallel format used here” (Henry 5:20; Phile. 13).
Morris). STEAL. To steal is to break one of the Ten
(4) A false god worshiped by Israel is called “the star of Commandments by taking that which belongs to
your god Remphan” (Ac. 7:43). [See Idolatry, Moloch.] another (Ex. 20:15). Stealing is closely connected with
(5) False teachers are called “wandering stars,” in lying and dealing falsely (Le. 19:11). The punishment
referring to their destiny of eternal damnation (Jude for theft was restitution. If the stolen item was sold or
13). eaten, the thief was to pay back five times (Ex. 22:1). If
the money or item was found in his possession, he was
(6) The messengers to the seven churches of Asia were to pay back double (Ex. 22:4). The one who stole
typified by seven stars (Re. 1:16, 20; 2:1). For the through deception was to restore the principal plus 20
following reasons we believe these “angels” are not percent (Le. 6:2-5). If he had nothing to pay, he was to
heavenly beings, but the leaders, the pastors, of the be sold as a slave (Ex. 22:3). Stealing was a sin which
seven churches referred to in these chapters. The had to be cleansed by the blood (Le. 6:6-7). To kill a
following is from “The Case for the Singularity of thief who was caught committing a crime was justifiable
Pastors,” Baptist Bulletin, June 1982: (a) Angel means (Ex. 22:2). Stealing is associated with, and easily leads
“messenger,” but not necessarily heavenly messenger. In to, violence (Pr. 1:10-19). Stealing is a sin that
the following passages the same Greek word translated originates in the fallen heart (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22).
“angel” is used to refer to men: John the Baptist (Mt. Stealing brings shame and disgrace (Je. 2:26) and
11:10; Mk. 1:2); John’s disciples (Lk. 7:24); Jesus’ destruction (Pr. 21:7). Stealing was punishable by
disciples (Lk. 9:52); and the Israelite spies (Ja. 2:25). crucifixion in the Roman Empire (Mk. 15:27). The thief
Thus it would not be wrong to interpret the angels of will not go to heaven unless he is born again (1 Co.
the churches in Revelation to be men as well. (b) John 6:9-11). The Christian is to stop stealing and rather to
wrote to these messengers. In no other case in the Bible do work with his own hands to support himself and others
we find men writing to heavenly angels. Men write to (Ep. 4:18). The Christian must not steal from his
men! (c) Jesus gave the Revelation by His angel (Re. employer, but must be completely faithful to his masters
22:16). Are we to think that the angel wrote through (Tit. 2:10). Stealing is a crime men will be guilty of in
the Apostle to other angels? (d) No other passage teaches the Tribulation period and which they will not repent of
that each church has a special heavenly angel through (Re. 9:21). [See Capital Punishment, Covet, Defraud,
which God sends messages. Rather, the church

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 621