STARS AND MESSENGERS

STARS AND MESSENGERS

Rev. 22:16 ¶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

There is an interesting parallel in the book of Revelation between ministers and angels. They are both referred to as “messengers of the church”. There seems to be an appointed angel as well as a minister to the churches spoken of in the book of Revelation. These messengers are also referred to as stars reminding us of Jesus, the bright morning star announcing the approaching glorious appearing of the kingdom of God. Ministers of the gospel have the chosen and privileged calling of announcing the powerful treasures of the gospel unveiled in Christ, there can be no higher calling. With our emphasis on the priesthood of every believer we sometimes minimize the important nature of the calling of God on the preachers of the gospel. They are truly shining stars heralding the coming of the kingdom of God. Here is how Jonathan Edwards says it.

“So that by ministers of the gospel being burning and shining lights, the angels of the churches will become like the angels of heaven, and those stars held in the right hand of Christ here below, will be like those morning stars above, and which is much more, hereby ministers will be like their glorious Lord and Master; who is not only the Master of ministers of the gospel, but is the Head and Lord of the glorious angels, whom they adore, and who communicates to them the brightness in which they shine, and the flame with which they burn, and is the glorious luminary and sun of the heavenly world, from whence all the inhabitants of that world have their light and life, and all their glory. In this Sun of righteousness is that light, whose brightness is such that the light of the sun in the firmament in comparison of it is as darkness, yea, black as sackcloth of hair: for he is the infinite brightness of God’s glory; And accompanying this bright light in him, is the infinitely intense flame of love. There is no love to be compared to his; nor ever was love both to God and man so manifested, as has been in what Christ has done and suffered; for herein was love! Ministers, by being burning and shining lights, become the sons of God, of whom we read that he is light, and that he is love.”

Each of us should cherish and honor the ministers of His church. The Lord has provided pastors to be guardians and messengers to each of us. The calling on their lives demand our respect, our prayers, our encouragement, and our support. As we honor those whom God has given as gifts to His church we will benefit greatly. First because we will benefit from the anointing upon their lives. Secondly because there is a blessing for all of those who honor the servants of The Lord.