Hi all
I'm writing about God's spirit and angels.
I admit there are different views.
The seven stars
Seven angels are taking part in the operation of the holy spirit.It is by the operation of the holy spirit for us to understand and to believe things in the Bible.
And we can receive the holy spirit directly from God and from those who have it.
Angels have the holy spirit since they are united with God and Christ.
So, they can give the holy spirit and can accomplish good things by using it.
The revelation was conveyed to apostle John from God through Jesus and through angels.
God ▶ Jesus ▶ angels ▶ John
Re 1:1
1 A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John,
Re 22:6, 16
6 And he said to me: "These words are faithful and true; yes, YHWH the God of the inspired expressions of the prophets sent his angel forth to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.
16 "'I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to YOU people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.'"
God's holy spirit can operate also by sent angels.
God's seven strips, and the seven stars, and the seven lampstands
Re 1:4-54 John to the seven congregations that are in the [district of] Asia: May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from "The One who is and who was and who is coming," and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, "the Faithful Witness," "The firstborn from the dead," and "The Ruler of the kings of the earth."
The seven spirits that are before God's throne are described as if they are person.
The greeting to the congregations are sent by God, the seven spirits, and Jesus.
Since God and Jesus are persons, so the seven spirits can be also viewed as persons.
This view won't create any problem in Christian faith.
Re 3:1
1 "And to the angel of the congregation in Sar′dis write: These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, (Jesus is described here as the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.)
Re 4:5
5 And out of the throne there are proceeding lightnings and voices and thunders; and [there are] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, and these mean the seven spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there is, as it were, a glassy sea like crystal.
Ps 104:4
4 Making his angels spirits, His ministers a devouring fire.
Re 5:6
6 And I saw standing in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders a lamb (Christ) as though it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which [eyes] mean the seven spirits of God that have been sent forth into the whole earth.
God's seven spirits and the seven stars are the angels who can operate God's holy spirit, I think.
This view won't create any problem.
I admit that there are different views.
The seven stars mean seven angels
Re 1:2020 As for the sacred secret of the seven stars that you saw upon my right hand, and [of] the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars mean [the] angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands mean seven congregations.
It is rather reasonable to think that the angels of the congregations mean the spirit beings than human elders.
Because, Christ's counsels and evaluation of the congregations include human elders also. They are not given to the congregations through problematic human elders.
Considering the role of the heavenly angels, we can see the guidance, the counsel, and the encouragement for the Christ's congregation are given to the each congregation of the sons of the kingdom through the heavenly angels.
The congregation of the sons of the kingdom including the human elders which belongs to the heavenly arrangement is under heavenly angels' guidance and protection, therefore we can assume that the seven stars in the Revelation mean the seven heavenly angels (spiritual beings) who are assigned to take care of the congregation of the sons of the kingdom.
An angel told John that they were the fellow slave of the the sons of the kingdom.
Re 19:10
10 At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: "Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying."
Re 22:9
9 . . . All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who are prophets and of those who are observing the words of this scroll.
the role of angels
Recall the role carried out by the angels in the first century.They supported Christ's ministry.
They led the activities of the new born Christian congregation.
Considering these facts, we can say that the seven stars in the Christ's hand are heavenly angels not the human elders.
The WTS' interpretation that the seven stars are human elders is incompatible with the reality.
The human elders are also victimized with many problems and need many improvements and corrections.
It is angels' tasks not imperfect human to guide and protect the congregation of the the sons of the kingdom.
Judging from the fact that JW elders fail to protect the children in the congregation from the predators of pedophile as disclosed recently in the news broadcast, the elders are not in the hand of the Christ.
Christ doesn't need such incapable human elders on earth to guide and protect his congregation on earth.
He has the heavenly angels in his right hand for this role.
The works of the angels
Mt 4:1111 Then the Devil left him, and, look! angels came and began to minister to him.
Lu 22:43
43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
Heb 1:14
14 Are they not all spirits for public service, sent forth to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?
Guidance and protection of Christian congregation
Ac 5:19-2019 But during the night YHWH's angel opened the doors of the prison, brought them out and said: 20 "Be on YOUR way, and, having taken a stand in the temple, keep on speaking to the people all the sayings about this life."
Ac 8:26
26 However, YHWH's angel spoke to Philip, saying: "Rise and go to the south to the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Ga′za." (This is a desert road.)
Ac 10:3-5
3 Just about the ninth hour of the day he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say to him: "Cornelius!" 4 The man gazed at him and, becoming frightened, said: "What is it, Lord?" He said to him: "Your prayers and gifts of mercy have ascended as a remembrance before God. 5 So now send men to Jop′pa and summon a certain Simon who is surnamed Peter.
Ac 12:7-10
7 But, look! YHWH's angel stood by, and a light shone in the prison cell. Striking Peter on the side, he roused him, saying: "Rise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 8 The angel said to him: "Gird yourself and bind your sandals on." He did so. Finally he said to him: "Put your outer garment on and keep following me." 9 And he went out and kept following him, but he did not know that what was happening through the angel was real. In fact, he supposed he was seeing a vision. 10 Going through the first sentinel guard and the second they got to the iron gate leading into the city, and this opened to them of its own accord. And after they went out they advanced down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Ac 27:23-24
23 For this night there stood near me an angel of the God to whom I belong and to whom I render sacred service, 24 saying, 'Have no fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and, look! God has freely given you all those sailing with you.'
In such a manner, the angels are deeply involved in the affairs of the sons of the kingdom on earth, as shown above, so we can say that the guidance and the counsels to the seven congregations in the Revelation are given though the heavenly angels. They are engaged in the work for the Christ's congregation on earth.
the situations of the sons of the kingdom in the Lord's Day
I'm going to show you the problems first which need corrections.- There exist people who lose the love they had at first, though they were able to detect the deception of the religious organization.
- There are the issues of idolatries, immorality, and sectarianism among the sons of the kingdom.
- There exist people who live losing Christian identity.
Those who lose the love they had at first
Re 2:1-41 "To the angel of the congregation in Eph′e·sus write: These are the things that he says who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, 2 'I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars. 3 You are also showing endurance, and you have borne up for my name's sake and have not grown weary. 4 Nevertheless, I hold [this] against you, that you have left the love you had at first.
The issues of the idolatries, immorality, and the sectarianism
Re 2:14-16, 20-2314 "'Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, that you have there those holding fast the teaching of Ba′laam, who went teaching Ba′lak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. 15 So you, also, have those holding fast the teaching of the sect of Nic·o·la′us likewise. 16 Therefore repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war with them with the long sword of my mouth.
20 "'Nevertheless, I do hold [this] against you, that you tolerate that woman Jez′e·bel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her fornication. 22 Look! I am about to throw her into a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And her children I will kill with deadly plague, so that all the congregations will know that I am he who searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give to YOU individually according to YOUR deeds.
People who live losing Christian identity
Re 3:1-3, 15-181 "And to the angel of the congregation in Sar′dis write: These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, 'I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. 3 Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping [it], and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you.
15 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say: "I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all," but you do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire that you may become rich, and white outer garments that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not become manifested, and eyesalve to rub in your eyes that you may see.
the right condition that should be among the sons of the kingdom
Re 2:9-109 'I know your tribulation and poverty-but you are rich-and the blasphemy by those who say they themselves are Jews, and yet they are not but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of YOU into prison that YOU may be fully put to the test, and that YOU may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Re 3:8-11
8 'I know your deeds-look! I have set before you an opened door, which no one can shut-that you have a little power, and you kept my word and did not prove false to my name. 9 Look! I will give those from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and yet they are not but are lying-look! I will make them come and do obeisance before your feet and make them know I have loved you. 10 Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Christ's counsels and encouragements to the seven congregations in the Revelation are rather to the all the sons of the kingdom than to the particular congregations, and the heavenly angels are engaged in the work to take care of the sons of the kingdom.
The number seven may not be the literal number. It seems to be totality.
as to the receiving the holy spirit
The holy spirit can also be given though angels, not only is given directly from God and Christ.YHWH is the source of the holy spirit.
Jesus was given the authority to use it at his will.
Jesus gives the some of the holy spirit to the angels as necessary.
And angels can give it to and can use it for the sons of the kingdom.
Jesus was entrusted the full amount of the holy spirit.
Joh 3:34-3534 For the one whom God sent forth speaks the sayings of God, for he does not give the spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
Jesus can give the holy spirit to the sons of the kingdom though his angels.
The spirit beings are invisible, so no one can detect their operation in human eyes.
The spirit of the truth which Christ promised to give us seems to be given though the angels in Christ's right hand.
Joh 14:16-17, 26
16 and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper to be with YOU forever, 17 the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it. YOU know it, because it remains with YOU and is in YOU.
26 But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU.
Joh 15:26
26 When the helper arrives that I will send YOU from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness about me;
Joh 16:12-15
12 "I have many things yet to say to YOU, but YOU are not able to bear them at present. 13 However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming. 14 That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to YOU. 15 All the things that the Father has are mine. That is why I said he receives from what is mine and declares [it] to YOU.
The heavenly angels are involved in giving us the understanding of the truth.
Prophets in ancient times including Daniel were given the understanding by the angels.
We can't deny it that the angels are still involved in giving the understanding to the sons of the kingdom as they did in the past though their works are invisible now.
Da 9:20-23
20 While I was yet speaking and praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and letting my request for favor fall before YHWH my God concerning the holy mountain of my God, 21 and [while] I was yet speaking in the prayer, why, the man Ga′bri·el, whom I had seen in the vision at the start, having been made weary with tiredness, was arriving by me at the time of the evening gift offering. 22 And he proceeded to impart understanding and speak with me and say:
"O Daniel, now I have come forth to make you have insight with understanding. 23 At the start of your entreaties a word went forth, and I myself have come to make report, because you are someone very desirable. So give consideration to the matter, and have understanding in the thing seen.
Those who have the spirit of God can give the understanding of the truth by God's spirit to others.
The words of God are said "spirit."
The accurate understanding of the Bible is the product of God's spirit.
Anyone who has the spirit of God can be a channel or a conduit of the God's spirit.
And in this respect a channel is nothing, but the spirit of God is something.
Jon 6:63
63 It is the spirit that is life-giving; the flesh is of no use at all. The sayings that I have spoken to YOU are spirit and are life.
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart.
1Th 2:13
13 Indeed, that is why we also thank God incessantly, because when YOU received God's word, which YOU heard from us, YOU accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God, which is also at work in YOU believers.
1Co 3:6-7
6 I planted, A·pol′los watered, but God kept making [it] grow; 7 so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes [it] grow.
This is my conclusion.
The seven stars in Christ's hand are the heavenly angels, not the human elders.
They are leading and protecting us by means of God's holy spirit.
see ya
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