“A man does not have to be an angel in order to be saint.”~ Albert Schweitzer
Of Angels and Mortals
"The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands ..."
~ Revelation 1:20-2:1 (NKJV)
In the first love letter from Jesus to church, He identifies Himself as seen with His angels (or messengers, represented by stars) and His churches (or assemblies, represented by lampstands).
Contrasts may be made between angels and the church. A lampstand is a light far smaller and lower than a star, as we are to angels. Angels hold mighty power as messengers of Jesus' hand, while He walks among us in fellowship and puts His power within us. An angel holds the key of the abyss, but we've been entrusted as heirs with keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Angels behold the face of God now hidden from our eyes—though we hold God within us.
We shall one day be like angels. Angels cannot be disciples like us.
My notes from a sermon I heard on "Twelve Ordinary Men" mention four levels of discipleship:
Belief – faith in Jesus as Lord
Commitment – answering the call "Follow Me"
Apostleship – being "sent" as ambassadors of God
Martyrdom – death to all personal interests
Such is the privilege in the relationship between disciple and beloved Master.
Lord Jesus, as we trust You and follow You, show us how to represent you and lay down our lives for You.
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Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
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