An enlightening sermon this morning from Graham, freshly back from Uganda (in one piece thankfully) where he’s been engaged in charity work.

In His right hand He held seven stars [ 23:50 ] Play in Popup | Download

Yes this was my first Sunday back from Uganda and my sermon was based on something I had preached in Kampala about the seven stars in the right hand of Jesus. Notes are below.

I also referred to a CNN article about USA teens believing a “mutant” form of Christianity. The article can be viewed here.

Enjoy! Graham

Touched by Stars

Revelation 1:16 In his right hand he held seven stars,…

What do the stars represent? Verse 20 tells us: The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches…

But we must remember that this letter would have been read out loud. The listener, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was given time for a familiar understanding of the seven stars to spring to mind even before the explanation of verse 20 was heard. The listeners would have been familiar with The Seven Stars that were well known in the ancient world.

Pleiades is a group of stars that are often referred to as simply ‘The seven stars’. The ancients marvelled at them for they seemed to be fixed, while all other stars moved. In fact they were used as a means of measuring the movements of the other stars. From early times these stars were associated with rule.

This group of stars known as the Pleiades is mentioned three times in Scripture. Job 9:5-9; 38:31-33 and Amos 5:8 explain their origin, stating that the Creator ‘stretches out the heavens’ and is the Master of the Pleiades. Job 38:31-32 further declares that only the Lord can ‘bind the beautiful Pleiades’ and bring them forth in their season.

The seven stars were thought of in the ancient world as being bound together on a chain, like a necklace.

The seven stars appeared on the Emperor’s coins as symbols of his rule. Jesus did not just have the stars on a coin but he held them in the grip of his right hand. Readers and hearers of this statement will have known that unbelievers would have thought it a treasonous claim. But from the Lord of the universe this claim is the only thing fitting.

The Biblical references make it clear that the One who holds the seven stars is the almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

What did Jesus have in his right hand? Which hand did he use to touch John? Answer in both occasions is that he used the right hand. The hand that touched John was the hand that held the stars.

From ancient times rulers have held a sceptre. This ruler seized the Seven Stars and touched John. I believe we all have this touch for that is what it meant when we submitted to the rule of Jesus in our lives.

For such people as we are: Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?