HE WALKS AMONG HIS PEOPLE

Rev.2:1 – Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

This has been the Lord’s plan from the very beginning, He wants to dwell in the midst of His people. This reminds us of the earliest of days when the Lord walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. The tragedy of the fall of man is that man has been separated from the Lord for thousands of years. He began this plan of restoration with Moses and the children of Israel when the Lord lived among them in the tabernacle. Since the cross and the resurrection man has been given access back into the presence of the Lord. This passage shows the Lord walking among His people in the church. That is why the gathering of God’s people is so important, this is where we meet with God. Here is a quote from Matthew Henry about this passage and its reference to the pastors of the churches.

“It is from him that holds the stars in his right hand. The ministers of Christ are under his special care and protection, in his hand. He supports them, for otherwise they would soon be falling stars; and all the good they do is done by his hand with them. His walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks shows his relationship with his churches. Although Christ is in heaven, he walks among his churches on earth.”

Interesting what Henry said about falling stars, we have far too many falling stars in the ministry today, terrifying!! This is why we need to stay close to the Lord. The ESV EXPOSITORY COMMENTARY also has an interesting comment about this verse.

“Jesus as the Son of Man “walks among the seven golden lampstands.” The seven lampstands are identified as the seven churches. The Ephesian church, like every church, is to reflect the light of God’s holiness and love to the world. Jesus walks in their midst. He is not distant from the churches but walks among believers and hence knows what is happening in each church; he cares for the church and threatens judgment if it goes astray.”

Not only are the ministers in His hand, all of His children are also under His constant care. It is His nearness that protects us, corrects us, and empowers us in all of our endeavors. I love the gathering of God’s people, that is where I feel the closest to the Lord.