THE INFORMATION FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK

The Information for the Interpretation of the Book

Vs. 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."

The Secret Before the Seer is Described by the Word Mystery

The Nature of a Mystery

The Greek word "mystery" does mean that which is secret or hidden, until such time as it is revealed and made clear. But it is still called a mystery.
Cf. 1 Cor. 2:6-10. "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:" "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

Take for instance the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. Matt. 13. But they are utterly dark to some except they are revealed (9-13). Having eyes and ears but they do not see nor do they hear.

The Recipients of the Mystery

Even after mysteries are made clear, they are still hidden except to the proper people
Cf. Matt. 13:9-13 and 1 Cor. 2:7, 10. Probably the best evidence of this fact is Leaven and what it signifies. Leaven denotes evil (Matt. 13:33 cf. 1 Cor. 5:8; Gal. 5:9; Matt. 16:6). Yet the uninitiated call it good. It is indeed a mystery and Paul calls it such in 2 Thess. 2:7.
9  "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
10  "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"
11 "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
12  "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."
13 "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."
7  "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:"
10 "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
33 "Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."
8 "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
9 "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."
6 "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
7  "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

The Content of This Mystery

This mystery very clearly relates to the stars and the candlesticks. This shall be discussed in the next article.