Article February 5, 1916 Issue

Stars in the Firmament

JESSIE B. RICHMOND

In the apocalyptic vision of John, the woman who is the type of the spiritual idea, of man in the image of God, wears a crown of twelve stars. A crown symbolizes sovereignty. Man as God has made him, has dominion "over all the earth," — dominion first over himself and then over his environment and circumstances, which by being properly used become opportunities for loving deeds and high achievements. Man's dominion consists in what he knows of good; and because Jesus knew the Christ, Truth, he had dominion over all things. This idea is clearly set forth in the teachings of Christian Science, which proves itself to every sincere truth-seeker to be indeed the Christ Science, or divine knowing. Thus the path leading to dominion for every individual student of this Science lies in making his own the Mind, as Paul says, "which was also in Christ Jesus."

Mrs. Eddy tells us that the crowned woman of the Apocalypse "symbolizes generic man" (Science and Health, p. 561), all humanity seen as one, consciously and continuously reflecting the all-knowing, all-loving Mind, for man is the expression of the divine Mind, God. The crown named in St. John's vision is adorned with twelve stars. This number represents completeness. Every seeker for Truth is represented there, shining with the brightness of the divine appearing as a light in heaven. This light, or true enlightenment, is the spiritual understanding of all-inclusive harmony. All is good to the consciousness governed by Principle; and this state of consciousness constitutes heaven. The woman's crown is truly one of rejoicing, for humanity is satisfied, having awakened in God's likeness. Men have come to recognize divine Love's universality and impartiality; there is none left outside, and nothing to cast into the pit but sin and death, false destructible beliefs. Thus mankind reaches a higher level than that of the poet who sings of his faith, —

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