In Revelation 1:12–13, the apostle John experiences a vision of Jesus Christ standing amid seven candlesticks: “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle” (KJV). Most modern translations refer to the “seven candlesticks” as “seven golden lampstands.”

Jesus spoke to John in the vision and explained what the seven candlesticks were: “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” (Revelation 1:20).

The seven churches, represented by the seven candlesticks, were actual churches that existed at the time John experienced the vision. The churches were located in seven cities of western Asia Minor: in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. In Revelation 2 — 3, Jesus Christ addresses a letter to each of these churches, a letter that included words of commendation, criticism, and consolation. This part of Revelation comprises the “what is now” section of Revelation (see Revelation 1:19).

Trey Knowles's interpretation. The Glory of God is the seven Angles of the seven continents God has created in his image in glory. Seven churches represent seven continents of the earth, which is in the body of Christ. Note: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, In Hebrew 1:7 it is written In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servant's flames of fire.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. God shows his love for us that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Christ died for every person on every continent. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen Romans 11:36.  

Why do I say this? 

Note: Psalm 24:1-3 says The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

Note: 2nd reason I say the seven continents are the seven churches, is 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 says Unity and Diversity in the Body. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,  while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?  Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

1 Peter 2:9 says but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Colossians 3:11 says, "In the new life there is no difference between Greeks and Jews, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or people who are foreigners, or Scythians. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all that is important"

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you Colossians 3:9-13 

Note: Take off the sinful nature is one race in God. In that Christ is all and in all.

Genesis 1:9 in the Bible states, "And God said, 'Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear. And it was so'". Some theologians interpret this verse as supporting the Pangaea theory, which states that a supercontinent called Pangaea broke apart into two continents, Laurasia and Gondwanaland, about 200 million years ago. Laurasia is made up of the modern continents of Asia, Europe, and North America, while Gondwanaland includes Antarctica, Australia, and South America. 

Pangea is the concept that all of the land masses of the earth were at one time connected as one giant super-continent. On a world map, some of the continents look like they could fit together like giant puzzle pieces (Africa and South America, for example). Does the Bible mention Pangea? Not explicitly, but possibly. Genesis 1:9 records, “And God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.’ And it was so.” Presumably, if all the water was “gathered to one place,” the dry ground would also be all “in one place.” Genesis 10:25 mentions, “…one was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided…” Some point to Genesis 10:25 as evidence that the earth was divided after the Flood of Noah.

While this view is possible, it is most definitely not universally held by Christians. Some view Genesis 10:25 as referring to the “division” that occurred at the Tower of Babel, not the division of the continents via “continental drift.” Some also dispute the post-Noahic Pangea separation due to the fact that, at the current rates of drift, the continents could not possibly have drifted so far apart in the time that has transpired since the Noahic Flood. However, it cannot be proven that the continents have always drifted at the same rate. Further, God is capable of expediting the continental-drift process to accomplish His goal of separating humanity (Genesis 11:8). Again, though, the Bible does not explicitly mention Pangea, or conclusively tell us when Pangea was broken apart.

However, there is another explanation offered by Christian scientists that does not require a post-Noahic Pangea. According to this view, intercontinental migration most likely began while sea levels were still low during and immediately following the post-Flood Ice Age when much of the water was still trapped in ice at the poles. Lower sea levels would have left the continental shelves exposed, connecting all of the major land masses through land bridges.

There are (or at least were) shallow underwater land bridges connecting all of the major continents. North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia are all attached to continental Asia. Britain is attached to continental Europe. In some places, these intercontinental bridges are only a few hundred feet below our current sea level. The theory can be summarized as follows: (1) After the Flood, an Ice Age occurred. (2) The vast amount of water that was frozen resulted in the oceans being much lower than they are today. (3) The low level of the oceans resulted in land bridges connecting the various continents. (4) Human beings and animals migrated to the different continents over these land bridges. (5) The Ice Age ended, the ice melted and the ocean levels rose, resulting in the land bridges being submerged.

So, while Pangea is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the Bible does present the possibility of a Pangea. Whatever the case, either view presented above presents a viable explanation for how humanity and animals were able to migrate to continents now separated by vast oceans.

In Judges chapter 6, we are introduced to a judge named Gideon. At that time, God’s people were under the oppression of the Midianites, so they cried out to God for help. God heard them and chose Gideon to deliver them from their enemies. 

For years the mighty and ruthless Midianite army stole the Israelites’ crops and animals, leaving them with little or nothing to live on. God wanted Gideon to raise an army to go after the Midianites and destroy them, but there was one problem: Gideon didn’t want to go.

“’Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’” 

– Judges 6:15-16 (NIV)

Gideon felt that he was unqualified to be a leader, but God thought He was perfect for the job. Let’s take a look at this powerful story about a seemingly timid judge and his army of 300 and the lessons we can learn from it.

Movie Watch Below after skipping Ad: Gideon The Bible Story

God calls Gideon

God sent an angel to tell Gideon that he had been chosen to save Israel, but Gideon had excuses why he wasn’t right for the job.

“’Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’” – Judges 6:15-16 (NIV)

God certainly knew Gideon was from a lowly clan and was the youngest in his family. God knows everything about us. He knows you’re struggling to make ends meet right now, but if He tells you that a time will come when you’ll have so much that you’ll even start blessing others, you best believe Him.

 He knows you’ve never left your little town, but if He tells you you’ll preach the gospel around the world, do not doubt Him. Jehovah does not call the qualified, He qualifies those He calls. While you count your shortcomings, He is making a way for you to fulfill your purpose.

 The 300-man army

Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to go to war with the Midianites, but He must have been surprised when God told him, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’” (Judges 7:2).

 The Bible tells us that at this time the Midianites had joined forces with the Amalekites and others to form a huge army. Wouldn’t it have been logical for Gideon to gather all the able-bodied men he could find? But God didn’t want more men, and eventually, the army of 32,000 was whittled to a mere 300.

Trust in the Lord

You see, when God is on your side, it doesn’t matter who is against you. They may be bigger, stronger, or even more influential than you are. When Jehovah is with you, no one can hurt you. 

Our God is the lion of the tribe of Judah. He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our banner. A thousand may fall at your right, and 10,000 by your right hand, but He will never let anything hurt His own (Psalm 91:7). Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Trust in His word, and have faith in Him.

He will confirm His word

To confirm His word, God sent Gideon some signs. There was the dew on the fleece (Judges 6:36-40) and the dream of the loaf of bread tumbling into the Midianite camp (Judges 7:13).

Many times God will send a confirmation after giving you a prophetic word. He might send someone to talk to you, or He’ll give you a dream or a vision. God can use any channel.

The battle against the Midianites

“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.’ Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.” – Judges 7:15-16

The 300-man army went to the edge of the camp of the Midianites. There they blew their trumpets and broke the jars. Then they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” God caused confusion in the camp of the Midianites and they turned on each other with their swords.

By the hand of God, Israel, with a small army of just 300, defeated an army in the tens of thousands. When you start praying and worshiping, miracles will happen. Call out His name and worship Him. Whether you’re in the valley or in a storm, praise Him and He will put confusion in the camp of your enemies. 

Conclusion

The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. Trust Him and obey His word. Praise Him in every circumstance. Those plotting against your family, business, or health will be confused and turn on each other. 

God is still in the business of doing miracles and He is about to do something incredible in your life. Gideon’s story teaches us that we’re never too small or broken for God to use. He can do great things with you, just as He did with Gideon.

Movie Watch Below after skipping Ad: Gideon The Bible Story

Disciples of Jesus did not gain the world, they took up their cross and followed Jesus. What do I say this? In Matthew 16:24-26 then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Note: The man that gain’s the world, and is not willing to lose his life is like Judas Iscariot who choose money over the kingdom of heaven.

Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. Jesus warns us. Who are Pharisees today and who are the Judas Iscariot’s today. The Yeast of the Pharisees today is little bit different but the same. It’s not who think.

Think about this. Who owns the copyrights to the Bible? Who profits every time you buy a Holy Bible? No, it's not God, or the Church or any not-for-profit religious organization that could use the money, it's really smart business people who use holding companies to acquire profitable assets.

For the NIV (New International Version) Holy Bible, if you follow the money up the pyramid, you first find Zondervan, the largest Christian publisher in the world owns the copyrights. Zondervan is owned by HarperCollins, which is owned by Newscorp (the same company that owns FoxNews, among others), which is owned by the controversial billionaire, and not so Christian, Rupert Murdoch. Note: Rupert recently stepped down as he's aging and now his kids run the company.

The KJV (King James Version) Holy Bible is owned by none other than The Crown, the royal corporation of the royal family of England. Queen Elizabeth II is a copyright owner by crown and now today as of 2024 Charles the III. Note: We know in Revelation 17:14, 19:13 Jesus is the King of Kings not the royal family of England.

So to Zondervan and The Royal Corporation of the Royal Family “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” is a quote from the Bible, appearing in both Mark 8:34-38 and Matthew 16:26. The passage continues in Mark 8:34-38 with, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it”.

The Yeast of the Copyright Owners of the Bible 

by Trey Knowles

James VI and I (1566-1625)

The result of their work was the King James Bible, published in London in 1611. James is sometimes mistakenly credited with writing what is known today as 'the Authorised Version', when in fact he commissioned the translation and authorised it to be read in churches.

James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Although he long tried to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union. He was the longest-reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Scotland.

James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a great-great-grandson of Henry VII, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and thus a potential successor to all three thrones. He acceded to the Scottish throne at the age of thirteen months, after his mother was forced to abdicate in his favour. Four regents governed during his minority, which ended officially in 1578, though he did not gain full control of his government until 1583. 

In 1589, he married Anne of Denmark. Three of their children survived to adulthood: Henry Frederick, Elizabeth, and Charles. In 1603, James succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch of England and Ireland, who died childless. He continued to reign in all three kingdoms for 22 years, a period known as the Jacobean era, until his death in 1625. After the Union of the Crowns, he based himself in England (the largest of the three realms) from 1603, returning to Scotland only once, in 1617, and styled himself "King of Great Britain and Ireland". He was an advocate of a single parliament for England and Scotland. In his reign, the Plantation of Ulster and English colonisation of the Americas began.

At 57 years and 246 days, James's reign in Scotland was the longest of any Scottish monarch. He achieved most of his aims in Scotland but faced great difficulties in England, including the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 and conflicts with the English Parliament. Under James, the "Golden Age" of Elizabethan literature and drama continued, with writers such as William Shakespeare, John Donne, Ben Jonson, and Francis Bacon contributing to a flourishing literary culture.

James was a prolific writer, authoring works such as Daemonologie (1597), The True Law of Free Monarchies (1598), and Basilikon Doron (1599). He sponsored the translation of the Bible into English (later named after him, the Authorized King James Version), and the 1604 revision of the Book of Common Prayer. Anthony Weldon claimed that James had been termed "the wisest fool in Christendom", an epithet associated with his character ever since. 

Since the latter half of the 20th century, historians have tended to revise James's reputation and treat him as a serious and thoughtful monarch. He was strongly committed to a peace policy, and tried to avoid involvement in religious wars, especially the Thirty Years' War that devastated much of Central Europe. He tried but failed to prevent the rise of hawkish elements in the English Parliament who wanted war with Spain. He was succeeded by his second son, Charles I.

Early reign in England

James survived two conspiracies in the first year of his reign, despite the smoothness of the succession and the warmth of his welcome: the Bye Plot and Main Plot, which led to the arrest of Henry Brooke, Lord Cobham and Walter Raleigh, among others. Those hoping for a change in government from James were disappointed at first when he kept Elizabeth's Privy Councillors in office, as secretly planned with Cecil, but James soon added long-time supporter Henry Howard and his nephew Thomas Howard to the Privy Council, as well as five Scottish nobles.

In the early years of James's reign, the day-to-day running of the government was tightly managed by the shrewd Cecil, later Earl of Salisbury, ably assisted by the experienced Thomas Egerton, whom James made Baron Ellesmere and Lord Chancellor, and by Thomas Sackville, soon Earl of Dorset, who continued as Lord Treasurer. As a consequence, James was free to concentrate on bigger issues, such as a scheme for a closer union between England and Scotland and matters of foreign policy, as well as to enjoy his leisure pursuits, particularly hunting.

James was ambitious to build on the personal union of Scotland and England to establish a single country under one monarch, one parliament, and one law, a plan that met opposition in both realms. "Hath He not made us all in one island," James told the English Parliament, "compassed with one sea and of itself by nature indivisible?" In April 1604, however, the Commons refused his request to be titled "King of Great Britain" on legal grounds.

In October 1604, he assumed the title "King of Great Britain" instead of "King of England" and "King of Scotland", though Francis Bacon told him that he could not use the style in "any legal proceeding, instrument or assurance" and the title was not used on English statutes. James forced the Scottish Parliament to use it, and it was used on proclamations, coinage, letters, and treaties in both realms.

James achieved more success in foreign policy. Never having been at war with Spain, he devoted his efforts to bringing the long Anglo–Spanish War to an end, and a peace treaty was signed between the two countries in August 1604, thanks to the skilled diplomacy of the delegation, in particular Robert Cecil and Henry Howard, now Earl of Northampton. James celebrated the treaty by hosting a great banquet. Freedom of worship for Catholics in England, however, continued to be a major objective of Spanish policy, causing constant dilemmas for James, distrusted abroad for repression of Catholics while at home being encouraged by the Privy Council to show even less tolerance towards them.