The Book of Revelation. Letters to the Seven Churches

Transcription

1 The Book of Revelation Dead Theologian s Society Catholic Student Union at Florida State University Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Letters to the Seven Churches Review the Context In chapter 2, we turn from the glorious inaugural vision to our Lord s specific messages to the seven churches ( lampstands ) in western Asia (now Turkey). These seven churches were all located along a major Roman route. Some believe that each church received the book of Revelation with only God s message to its particular community as an introduction. Others believe that each received the entire book, including all seven letters to the various Asian communities. Whoever carried these important letters would likely have sailed from Patmos to the ancient port city of Ephesus (the first recipient), an then traveled inland and north to Smyrna, circling clockwise through the rest of the seven communities. This path is the exact order in which the cities appear in Revelation 2-3. Today there is little left of these ancient communities, and Mass cannot be said in Ephesus today by Turkish law bearing out the extent to which Ephesus has fallen (see Revelation 2:5). Although some scholars propose these letters were modeled after Roman imperial decrees, they are most like Old Testament prophetic exhortations (see Ezekiel and Jeremiah 29), which appeal to the emotions of the listeners. The aim of the letters is to stir the persecuted Christians to fidelity and perseverance in trial, while also challenging their failures and commending their virtues. Each letter follows a seven- part patter: (1) The angel [bishop] of the church is addressed, (2) a description of Christ is given, (3) a commendation is given if merited, (4) a challenge is offered if repentance is needed, (5) a consequence is given should God s message go unheeded, (6) a challenge to hear is offered, and (7) a promise is given to the one who conquers his spiritual foes and endures to the end. The Text In Revelation we cycle back and forth between heaven and earth. Chapter 1 included a vision from heaven but now in chapters 2 and 3 will take place on earth. The Lord is going to address the internal life of these churches o Specifically he will address their tolerance for false teachings o These churches also have good things going on o If you want to overcome, you must avoid apostasy. Above all we must pay close attention to our fidelity to Christ Formula o Phrase identifying the speaker as the revealer Eg. Ephesus: the words of him who holds the seven stars Identification, partial revealing of Christ o The revealer (Christ) says I know your situation o Evaluation of the congregation Word of commendation/encouragement Word of chastisement Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Page 1 of 5

2 o You who have ears to ear, hear The word hear in Hebrew is shema Deut 6:4 Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one Carries the connotation of doing Didn t you hear me? o Reward These messages also reflect our own spiritual stages In each message, the Revealer uses language familiar to the particular community To Ephesus (2:1-7) Largest city in the province, known for trade Famous for temples, center of occult activity St. Paul spent more time in Ephesus (3 years) than any other place The pastor of Ephesus was a young man named Timothy John lived in Ephesus as did Mary This church was very orthodox, they knew their faith o This is the only letter that does not correct doctrine o You all live according to truth and no heresy has a home among you St. Ignatius of Antioch But they have lost their first love o They lack love and charity o Christ does not criticize them for being orthodox but encourages them to rekindle their love of God o The Ephesians had stopped doing the things that once meant so much to them o God calls them to repentance by doing the things you did at first o Love is more than an attitude, it is an action do the deeds Repentant actions will nourish and cultivate a repentant attitude (do penance!) o Penance is restorative o The harbor at Ephesus: The coastline along Ephesus was regularly changed by sediment washing down from a nearby river. About two centuries prior to the Book of Revelation the city underwent a massive dredging project to clear the harbor and preserve their city as a trade depot. However, over the years they neglected the upkeep and again found themselves in danger of losing the use of the port. This negligence is why Ephesus now sits six miles from the coast. They had neglected to do what they had done in the beginning. Ephesus lost its purpose. o When we don t do things we did in the beginning we run the risk of losing a lot. Nicolaitans: followers of the heretic Nicolas (Acts 6). He was a deacon chosen by the Apostles. o Unrestrained indulgence To Smyrna (2:8-11) Proud and beautiful city. Closely aligned with Rome and eager to meet Rome s demands for emperor worship Had a large and active Jewish community o House of Satan o Not a grounds for antisemitism Rich city, but the Christians were poor No rebuke is given Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Page 2 of 5

3 There is a mountain behind Smyrna known as the crown of Smyrna (verse 10) You will be tested for ten days o Daniel 1: the Hebrew boys are tested for ten days o Signifies a relatively short period of time second death o Rev 20:14-15 then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire, this is the second death o He who conquers will not go to hell To Pergamum (2:12-17) City of many temples, including Zeus and god of medicine (symbolized by a snake) o The snake became the symbol for the city Entering Pergamum from the south the actual shape of the city hill appears as a throne o This along with the occult emperor worship leads Christ to claim I know where you dwell, where Satan s throne is We re not sure who Antipas is Resisted paganism You have some who hold the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans o Balaam Book of Numbers 25. King Balak hired Balaam to put a curse on Israel but was unable to. Balaam rather suggested that Balak should introduce immorality (prostitution) and Israel would bring itself down Christ is encouraging all the churches to overcome. The Greek root of overcome is niceo, the same root as used in the Nicolaitans o overcome the Nicolaitans o A battle is beginning to take shape To Thyatira (2:18-29) Military outpost Noted for trade guilds (unions) Acts 15: Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira Each guild had a god Posed a problem for Christians o Faithfulness to God effected their livelihoods Strengths: faith, love and service Vice: ate idol food and sexual indulgence Reward: authority over the nations but you tolerate Jezebel (verse 20) o We must be intolerant of false teaching and immorality o The Church should be charitably intolerant I will strike her children o Hebraic way of saying her followers And to him (the victor) I will give the morning star (verse 28) o Rev 22:16 tells us that Jesus is the morning star To Sardis (3:1-6) Sardis was the capital of Lydia Great fortune and fame Had a mint and was famous for making jewels Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Page 3 of 5

4 Strength: none Vice: greedy, living dead Reward: be enrolled in the Book of Life Sardis had become very secularized o No theological controversy, no persecution Jesus is saying wake up! o Sardis was a well fortified city which had only been overcome twice, both times at night wake up! white garments (verse 4) o Rev 19:8 tells us that these garments are the righteous deeds of the saints o Those who are doing the works of God To Philadelphia (3:7-13) Strength: never denied Jesus Vice: none o Sounds good Reward: to become pillars of the Church Philadelphia lasted the longest o All seven of these cities are now overcome by Islam God is promising to preserve them in trial In AD 17, Philadelphia suffered a major earthquake Jesus is offering them stability To Laodicea (3:14-22) Wealthiest city in Phrygia Widely known for o Banking o Medicine o Textiles (clothing: wool) Major weakness was a lack of an adequate water supply Like Philadephia, Laodicea had experienced an earthquake but had resisted imperial funds to rebuild. Instead they relied upon themselves and funded the rebuilding of their city this is a proud people Strength: none Vice: greedy, cultural Christians Reward: dining with Christ Cafeteria Believers o Believed what they liked and if they didn t like it they didn t believe it o That s not for me In verse 17 the consequence of their situation is that you are o Poor banking o Blind medicine o Naked textiles Jesus advises them to buy from him (verse 18) o Gold rich (purification through suffering) o White garment clothing (righteous deeds of the saints) Nakedness is a sign of disobedience (Adam and Eve) o Ointment sight/health John 9: blindness is used to describe those who refuse to acknowledge guilt Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Page 4 of 5

5 lukewarm o Laodicea sat in a valley between Colossae and Hierapolis. Colossae was watered by icy streams. Hierapolis was famous for its hot mineral springs. By the time these waters hit the valley floor in Laodicea it was lukewarm. In Colossae the water was cool and refreshing. In Hierapolis one could be healed by the mineral springs. But in Laodicea you could do neither. o Laodicea is ineffectual, good- for- nothing o God is not saying that you should be either an apostate or a saint Have an influence, have an impact! behold I stand at the door and knock o Chapter 4 will begin with an open door o Movement towards the Marriage Supper of the Lamb All seven letters are calling us to repentance o Take some time to listen to the Spirit and make an assessment of your own life Reflection Questions 1. (Smyrna, Rev 2:8-11) How can the encouraging words Jesus speaks to the church in Smyrna strengthen your faithfulness to the Gospel today? 2. (Pergamum, Rev 2:12-17) Why do you think Jesus commands the entire Church to repent, even though only some of her members are embracing false teachings? 3. Imagine Jesus composing a simple letter to your parish. What do you imagine would be his commendations and challenges to your faith community? What are you doing or can you do to help your community to grow in faith and holiness? Session 2: Chapters 2 and 3 Page 5 of 5