The Sword of God

2006-12-12 05:37:00

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)

We are told in verse twenty that the seven stars are "the angels of the seven churches," and that the seven candlesticks "are the seven churches." We'll discuss them in more detail when we examine that verse.

"out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword:"

The sword, though often a symbol of war, is also a symbol of divine power. Here are a couple of scriptures that enhance the meaning:

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)

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. (Hebrews 4:12)

The sword in this sense is "the word of God." What exactly is meant by this? One may answer that the word of God is merely the truth, but is that all there is to it?

Not quite. An algebra teacher can give students a lot of truth but he has no power to divide "asunder of soul and spirit."

What then is the word of God and why is it so powerful?

The answer is that the word of God is the highest authority of which the mind of man can conceive. This great authority speaks when the soul of man registers his connection with God within and feels the affirmation of that truth within his innermost being. What he will then register will be true, but with something else added. With this received word of God the seeker feels the great importance and impact of that truth. Whereas the truths in his math class may put him to sleep the truth from internal revelation awakens him to a level of consciousness never experienced before.

This impact has power to completely change his life and direction. The dark agents realize this great power and do all in their means to substitute their voice for the voice of God thus creating a Beast to control the sons and daughters of men.

This sword goes out of the mouth of this one like Christ who is a symbol of the soul within. The word of God is thus found through soul contact. It has two edges meaning that in whatever direction the disciple wields the truth discovered it will cut to the heart of those who receive. Those who are ready will rejoice at the truth. Those who are not will draw their own swords in anger.

"and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."

When the truth is seen all darkness around the subject disappears and the source of truth, the Christ within, becomes to the seeker as an internal sun always sending forth the radiation of light to the mind causing spiritual vision to increase.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17-18)

When the disciple contacts the inner Christ and receives his first real sword of truth he does nothing but bask in the greatness of the experience. The interesting thing is that even though he has reached a new plateau, he is doing nothing with the knowledge. He is afraid to do anything because of what people may think and what some may do to him. He is no more use to the spiritual plan than are those who are spiritually dead. He might as well play dead himself if that is all he is going to do with his knowledge.

The inner voice does not give up on the fledgling seeker but lays his right hand upon him and tells him not to fear.

The right hand is a symbol of labor and this symbolizes a call to action that finally comes to the consciousness of the seeker. When he does acts he overcomes fear.

When he agrees to act he hears further revelation:

"I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

This inner voice, though new, seems oddly familiar and the disciple knows internally he can trust it completely. He knows that if he is injured he will be healed. If he is killed he will rise again and if he is threatened with hell he will turn it into heaven.

After an eternity of progression from time immemorial he has finally taken the first great step that will take him to his true home.

The rest of the chapter reads:

¹⁹ Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:19 & 20

¹ Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

² I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
(Revelation 2:1 & 2)

Yes, Ruth and others, sharpen your minds and spirits and interpret. Right or wrong it will increase your sensitivity.

Which ray do you suppose the church at Ephesus represents?

The public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth.
Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964)