a religion question because i dont quite understand.

Question

In the bible revelation 1:7-20 what is the lesson. And what is the man holding 7 stars in his hand supposed to represent. I have trouble understanding the bible sometimes. Your help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi, Big.  This section of Revelation is breathtaking.  The man speaking to John who holds the stars is the risen Jesus Himself.  How can we know?  He said of Himself, "I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!" (v. 18).  He appeared to John to show John some important things that the churches (groups of followers of Jesus) needed to know.  As the answers above indicated, the churches at that time (first century) were really suffering persecution because they were followers of Jesus.  This particular vision of Jesus was a glimpse at the greatness of Jesus - even compared to the greatness of the Caesars that ruled the Roman empire at the time.  This vision was a description of the greatest King and Ruler.  This would, no doubt, encourage the early Christians to keep following and obeying Jesus even when the earthly rulers of the time threatened them with suffering or even death.  

 

The fact that Jesus was holding the stars is explained to mean that He was among and entirely aware of His people.  He told them in chapters 2 and 3 that He knew the deeds, weaknesses and strengths of His people.  These stars were the "angels" of the churches, which were either the human messengers that helped lead the church or actual angelic beings that watched over the churches ("angel" literally means "messenger, so it can mean either human or spiritual messenger).  In either case, the angel/messenger is not the primary issue, the churches under their care are.  

 

The whole book of Revelation is tremendously encouraging and enthralling for those who seek its ultimate meaning: cling to the risen and living Jesus no matter the cost and you will be richly rewarded in the eternal Kingdom He is building! 

Answer 2

Hi Big from NY:  The book of Revelation is made up of a vision that was given to John on the Isle of Patmos where he had been exiled and probably died.  The entire book is a vision or series of visions and some of the chapters are not in the order of how the visions were given.  In the visions, God is giving John information about what will happen in the future and at the end of the world.  The visions use metaphors and symbols to give this information.  Many times when the Bible uses symbols and gives prophetic information (meaning, information about things that will take place in the future), the information is not clear until the events are about to take place or have already taken place.  God gives the information this way so as not to scare us too much about difficult things that will take place in the future and because God and Satan are at war.  In war, each side keeps their plans secret so the other side won't be able to keep them from carrying them out.  God is not at war with us, but with Satan and his angels.  So, he wants us to know something about what is going to happen, but he doesn't want us to know so much that we will be afraid, because he promises to carry us through whatever happens on earth.

 

Here's more information for you:  The Bible is the best source to interpret what it means - in other words, if you read the Bible quite a bit, you will find that it usually explains itself along the way.  Here, you can see that the Bible does just that.

 

In prophetic passages of the Bible, such as the one you're asking about, there isn't always a lesson for us personally.  The "lesson" is information that we need to know will happen and also that by giving us this information in advance, we will be able to see that God really is God, because he knows the future.  Sometimes the lesson is to see that God knows what is going to happen and that even though evil is active in our world, God will overcome it.  The book of Revelation shows us this.  

 

Specifically, the image you are asking about (like many of the images in Revelation) is debated.  Some scholars say that the 7 stars are the 7 churches talked about in Revelation which belong to God.  Other scholars say that the 7 stars represent the 7 church ages that take place throughout history.  Either way, the 7 stars are about God's church - his people.  It seems to me like the man is God holding the 7 churches that he is about to talk about.  The churches are seen as lit candles giving light to the dark world.  

 

The Bible generally explains itself along the way.  In Rev. 1:20 the Bible says that the seven candlesticks are the seven churches and the seven lights are the angels of those churches.

 

I hope this helps you.  Revelation is one of the most difficult books in the Bible and even well-learned religious scholars disagree on the meanings of it.  However, when you read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight and understanding as you read and you will receive more light.  Sincerely - Rebecca N.

Answer 3

Long story short, "I am the Alpha and Omega." Saint John held a vision of God proclaiming Himself as the beginning and the end of all things. Verse 20 clarifies the metaphors of the stars as the angels looking over the churches (represented as candlesticks).

During this time, the Roman emperor Domitian persecuted the early church. Saint John is trying to bolster morale and help the followers keep to the faith through those troubled times.