THE REVELATION OF CHRIST AS LORD OF THE CHURCHES

The Revelation of Christ as the Lord of the Churches

(Chs. 2-3)

Introduction

 

The Ideas Men Have Concerning the Supreme Authority For The Church

            That pastors are the overlords.
            That this authority is vested in a board of elders.
            That this authority resides in the official board.
            That this authority is in the hands of the congregation.
            That congregations banded together have this authority.
            That denominations are thus vested with this authority.
            That great church councils possessed and do possess this

authority.

            That civil governments possess this authority.

The Christ Alone is the Sovereign of the Church as Set Forth in These Chapters

Key words appear in the very first verse of chapter two which indicate this.
"Holdeth" (kraton): He exercises mastery and control over the seven stars, who in turn do the same over the churches.
"Walketh" (peripaton): He proceeds constantly about his tasks and makes progress toward a goal.
"In the midst" (en mesoi): He stands in the central position where he can always be seen and from which point he can give directions. No other church can ever come between the Lord and a Church.

 

Key Ideas Appear in the Description of the Speaker, Which Further Strengthen the Idea of Lordship

2:1 "That holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks."
2:8 "The first and the last, which was dead and is alive."
2:12 "Which hath the sharp sword with two edges."
2:18 "The Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass."
3:1 "He that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars."
3:7 "He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David; he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth."
3:14 "Saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God."

In every case the description carries one back to the vision in chapter one, especially verses 12-16. Other details can be found in the chapter. In each case the description fits the need of the congregation. And always Christ speaks with absolute and supreme authority.
"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;" "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;" "And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." "And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."