OPENING THE BOOK OF REVELATION- PART 6 Listen to Audio

                                   June 28, 2009

 

1:19- this verse is critical to understanding this book as it gives us a natural

framework with which to work.  John is instructed to write and then given

three divisions:   “the things which you have seen”= Ch.1:10-18

“the things which are” = present church conditions of his day- ch.2-3

“the things which will take place after this”= future as in ch.4-22

   This simple verse will go far in preventing a mis-interpretation of this

valued book, when often future material of ch.6-19 is declared to be

“historical” or already having been fulfilled.

   Christ then explains some of the symbolic aspects of vs.12-

“stars”= angels of the 7 churches

“lampstands” = are the 7 churches

   Consideration needs to be given to the word “angels” (aggeloi)- a word

which may be translated messenger—either human or divine.  See Mt.11:10

where the word is applied to John Baptist and Lk.9:52 where it refers to

humans.  Others take the view that it refers to “angelic representatives”; that is, some angels being appointed by God for protection and providence in our lives

as in Acts 12:15 and Heb.13:1.  A whole folklore about angelic representatives

grew out of this second viewpoint.

   Our view shall be that these aggeloi  are human messengers (pastors?)

who will authoritatively deliver these letters to the respective churches.

 

Chapter two, verse 1

  Each letter will be directed toward the “messenger-pastor” of the local assembly, expressing Christ’s discerning eye as to strengths and weaknesses

of ministry.

>1- As NT local churches regarded apostolic letters to be binding as authoritative

   and expressing normalcy of Christian experience, so present day local churches

  view them in the same manner. I Cor.4:15-17, 11:2, 16:1; II Cor.2:17, 11:4,     

  20; Eph.3:3-9;  Col.1:25-27, 4:16; I Thess.2:13-14, 5:27;  II Thess.2:15; 3:14,

  I Tim.3:15, 4:13;  II Tim.3:14-17;  Heb.13:7,22;  II Pet.1:19-21, 3:15-16;

  I John 2:5, 2:21, 5:13; II John 10; III John 9-10; Jude 17

>2- The binding nature of apostolic words, standards and doctrines require

  that each generation of believers regard them as the standard by which truth

  is judged.  I Cor.11:1;  II Cor.11:3-6; Gal.1:8-9; I Peter 5:12.

>3- To be apostolic and New Testament in practice, a local church or body

  of believers must be obedient to the documents (scripture) left by the

  apostles and those closely associated with the apostles.

>4- In order to facilitate this obedience, God raised up pastors-teachers

  to provide the instruction necessary to comply with apostolic standards.

   Eph.4:12-13, Acts 2:42

 

 

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  Christ is then described with two participial phrases: “he who holds

The seven stars…  and “who walks in the midst of the 7 golden

lampstands.”  These place Christ as possessor/controller of the messengers

and as One present to discern the conditions of the Ephesian Church.

His presence fulfills promises of Matt.18:20.

  2:2 His evaluation:  The discussion begins with their productivity (“I know your works [erga], labor [kapon] and patience [ hupomone”).  The practical is brought into clarity—“you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.”  Apparently, pseudo-apostles had appeared attempting to use

the respect for the office of apostles for their own advantage –see II Cor.11:13.

Acceptance of this false claim to the office/authority of apostles could have wrecked local churches- II Thess.2:2.

  2:3  “you have persevered and have patience and have labored…

not become weary”—these encouraging words underscore the hardship

of this group of believers—note the second time their patience is commended.

This is a church that has been spiritual and emotionally taxed and challenged,

yet has endured—we are not certain of all the difficulties (perhaps persecution,

or oppression).  Beyond their difficulties that wear others out, these believers

have held a steady course.