Page 51 - Bibliology - Textbook w videos short

• Seven stars (v16) - John sees seven stars in Jesus' right hand.
• A sharp two-edged sword (v16) - John sees the sharp two-edged sword coming out of Jesus'
mouth.
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It is obvious that these things John saw were not literal. How can Jesus hold seven stars in His right
hand? How can a sword come out of a person’s mouth? So these symbols must stand for something
more literal.

The first two 'symbols' are explained in this passage and the third is common knowledge from another
epistle:

The “seven golden candlesticks” - are explained in verse 20 “The seven lampstands are the seven
churches.”. And the picture that we are meant to see is that the Lord is with the local churches. He has a
personal interest in their well-being. The churches are mentioned in verse 11.

The “Seven stars” are explained in verse 20 as well. “the seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches.” And to further demonstrate the Lord's intimate interest in those local churches, those
churches’ “angels” are in the Lord's right hand. We are not actually told who the angels are unless we
understand the angels to be actual angels responsible for, or assigned by the Lord to those local
churches. But beyond that we really don’t actually know. Anything beyond that, we are guessing or
simply giving our opinion. And if we are honest we will say so.

The “sharp two-edged sword” may come from Hebrews 4:12 …
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Here we are told what is meant by a “two-edged sword” in the Bible – the term is given for God's Word.
And so in Revelation 1:16 the symbol of a ‘sharp two edged sword coming out of the mouth of the Lord
Jesus' mouth may be referring to God's words coming out of the mouth of the Lord Jesus. However,
this is a guess, and must also be honestly revealed as just that.

This is a case where we use Scripture to interpret Scripture. In some figurative passages, we may not
ever know the exact meaning and perhaps will have to wait until we arrive in Heaven to ask the author
of the words what was meant by them.

Remember, we must pray for the Holy Spirit’s Illumination, especially when it comes to difficult or
figurative passages. The Holy Spirit's work is not only to show what the Bible means, but also to
persuade Christians of its truth. Illumination is the Spirit's work, enabling Christians to discern the
meaning of the message and to welcome and receive it as from God. Theologian Charles Hodge states
that obedience in the believer's life is the inevitable result of the illuminating work of the Spirit.

Other examples of figurative verses in the Bible:

1. Should we literally hate our mother and father to be Jesus’ disciple (Luke 14:26)?

2. If your eye causes you to sin, should you pluck it out (Mark 9:47)?

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