See WBC’s video production, here: http://bit.ly/1c6hQql
“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]
The words of this single verse in the Apocalypse articulate three distinct characteristics of Jesus the Christ, as He is revealed in relationship to His church that is in the earth:
1. His disposition regarding His ministers.
2. His distribution and use of His word.
3. The strength and benefits of His countenance.
Because these words are part of the description of Christ in His Revelation, they are properly understood to be uniquely applicable to the days running up to the return of the King of Glory. All of the credible evidence points to the conclusion that shortly now “the angel which [John] saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth [shall lift] up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer”. [Revelation 10:5-6] Those who would not have that day overtake them as a thief [1 Thessalonians 5:4] should be clear on these matters.
The seven stars in the right hand of Christ are plainly declared to be “the angels of the seven churches” [Revelation 1:20], so there is no dispute that it references the ministers, elders, preachers, teachers, overseers, or bishops who are placed by His providence to tend to His elect sheep. Seven being the number of perfection or “completeness” in Scripture confirms for us that there are the exact and perfect number of these — where they should be planted and active in the earth during this most amazing time.
Three things at least are signified by these stars being “in his right hand”. I’m talking both to those “scoffers” [2 Peter 3:3] and “mockers” [Jude 1:18] who fill up the airwaves in this dying earth and to any little wandering sheep who yet waits for his or her call of grace.
First, where this generation sees the demonstrations, the adumbrations, the samplings of Christ’s infinite power in the affairs of man and nature, you will see His ministers. It is a great testimony to this truth when Arianna Huffington with all her Huffington Post empire — by way of one example — fully expects that when God smacks this nation or this world with judgments it is a matter of only very few minutes or seconds and Christ’s angels at the Westboro Baptist Church will be confirming for all whom we reach that God did this thing and it is a blessed warning to those who would hear and flee His wrath!
Second, if we fail to speak when we see these things come to pass, we will not be able to escape the wrath of our Christ because we are already in His hand to do with what he will. Check out these solemn words to confirm that message: “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
Third, being in the right hand of Christ, we are utterly secure from any of this generation’s vain assaults on us. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” [John 10:28-30]
Out of Christ’s mouth goes a sharp towedged sword. The sword is the symbol of judgment and magistracy. The symbol of justice in doomed america is a blindfolded woman with a sword to execute judgment as necessary after the matter is weighed without prejudice by a properly constituted magistrate.
But this sword, from this Magistrate of magistrates, comes forth from His mouth! It is His Word! The commandments of God are self-efficacious. It is written: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” [Isaiah 55:10-11]
Followers of false religions have throughout history relied upon the use of violence to compel other humans to believe as they believe. It is the very evidence that Westboro Baptist Church has the truth of God, that we absolutely will not resort to violence — or the use of any human government or other “power” — in our ministry. We have nothing for you except the Word of God!
I have an answer for you bloggers, pundits, and the “disputers of this world” who fret the question of why the inhabitants of the whole world seem to give attention to this tiny body of believers in a nondescript location in the middle of the United States. “[T]he word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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] When you see Westboro Baptist Church, you are looking into the face of Christ with His twoedged sword coming forth from His mouth. You cannot stop listening to and reading our words; and you certainly cannot shut us down.
The countenance of Christ is — for the blessed inhabitants of Zion — shining perpetually as the sun shines in his strength! Of course, the testimony of this Word by John in his gospel plainly states: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” [John 1:4-5]
This is the truth about Christ from the creation, but remember that we are discussing words related to His Revelation. We are in this passage to understand the light of Christ shining in relation to His church! In relation to His church who is preparing as the Bride of Christ for the wedding supper. We are not the Waldensians who, through their times occupying this earth with God’s word in their hearts, coined the term Lux Lucit! The light shines! These are different times. These are evidently the last days!
We at WBC are looking to scriptures like this: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” [Proverbs 4:18] What is this “perfect day”, if it is not the day of the Lord?
We at WBC are looking to scriptures like this: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” [2 Peter 1:19] What day is this dawning except the day of the Lord? What star but the “bright and morning star” [Revelation 22:16], even Jesus Christ our Lord?
Let me close this Scriptural minuet, if you will, by talking about this concept of the sun shining in his strength! This light that shines more and more unto that perfect day! This “leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ” and going on unto perfection! [Hebrews 6:1] This state of basking in the light of this “perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth”! [Lamentations 2:15] “Out of Zion” … WBC, my friends and listeners … “the perfection of beauty, God hath shined”! [Psalm 50.2]
Perfection of charity! Perfect love! [1 John 4:18]
WBC, Lord willing, shall begin to emphasize to all who will hear and read, the true nature of scriptural charity. Scriptural love. We see plainly that it is when that light of Christ’s love shines upon His bride the church — in his strength — we will be prepared for the wedding supper of the Lamb. And, when we hear “the cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” [Matthew 25:6] We will joyfully go.
Amen.