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  In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Rev. 1:16 NIV). 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, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Rev. 1:20 NIV).

  The meaning of the seven stars: The seven stars are the seven angels (messengers). These are the seven pastors of the churches, and the message was to seven churches. There were 1,000 cities in Asia Minor but these 7 were the largest and most pagan cities in the region. These seven cities were the largest and most influential churches, Paul started many of them. Paul died 67 A.D. and John was the Bishop of these churches for 27 years.

  There were over 40 major churches in the time of the Apocalypse. The 7 stars are the imagery of the Pleiades (constellation). The brightest star is al-cyone which means "the center" (an Arab belief). It has one star surrounded by 7 stars called the "seven sisters". It is located in the constellation of Taurus the bull (the bull was a priest's offering). The 7 churches were located at the base of the Taurus Mountains. The ancient Persians believed 7 stars rising and setting determined beginning and ending of a voyage.

  The bright and morning star is Christ (Rev. 22:16). Venus is called the morning star and was named after the Roman goddess of love. Venus reaches its maxium brightness before sunrise and shortly after sunset. Some months it is first seen before the sun rises; it introduces a new day. On June 17th, 2 B.C., Venus seemed to be on a collision course with Jupiter (two brightest stars).

  Our heavenly Father still speaks to his pastors  ( angels,messengers) over his church and it would behoove us to take heed and act according to his instructions in his word. We will be held accountable for every deed and word spoken, every intent and motive.