Good morning, all. Sorry I missed Friday...the day got busy and before I knew it, Monday morning was here! Welcome back for the week. I hope you all had a good weekend and enjoyed the few breaks of sun that we had!
Chapters 2 and 3 are Jesus' "letters" to the seven churches. They are all similar in structure and essentially say what is wrong with the church, Jesus' verdict, a command, and then a promise of reward. They all begin with "To the angel of the church at ____" with the angel likely being symbolic of the pastor (church leader) of the church. In each letter, Jesus introduces himself in a slightly different fashion- all having to do with the words He mentioned in chapter 1; see if you can notice these descriptions. Maybe we can see us or our church in these letters?
Ephesus, the first church mentioned, was where Paul was for three years; remember Aquilla and Priscilla? And Apollos? And Timothy? They were all active in this church. Ephesus was a cultural, economic, and financial center of the world and had a huge temple to Diana, the goddess of fertility that was worshipped with lots of sexuality- in the temple! Jesus knows this (v 2)! Jesus acknowledges what is going right, but is sure to call out what is wrong also. The "good" in the church continues to be good and do good and they do it without getting tired or wearied. However, (v 4) they did abandon their first love (the church). Everything looked good from the outside, but the inner workings of the church were in turmoil. Jesus wants them to remember from where they came (v 5), remember their love for God, remember their love for people; repent (that's an order!) and change direction and go back to the basics. Sometimes, churches get too caught up in "stuff" that they need a hard reset; sometimes churches get so distracted that they forget what their mission is; they get too involved in themselves that they forget the outside world and need to start over. That is what Jesus is asking the church in Ephesus. If they don't do this, Jesus will come and remove their lampstand- the light that shines on them (Jesus' presence) and that shines from them! Some hard words! Jesus then mentions the Nicolaitans. From Irenaeus (a 2nd C writer): these people were followers of Nicolas (one of the first ordained deacons) and lived their lives with "unrestrained indulgences". Jesus isn't a fan and neither are the Ephesians! If they repent and correct their ways, Jesus promises a return to Eaden and the tree of life (i.e., eternal life)!
Smyrna was a large and beautiful city and was the center of education, knowledge, and trade. It was at the end of a road that led to the Hermus river, so all goods that travelled through that river had to go through Smyrna. It was also a city deeply involved in pagan idol worship and worship of the Roman emperor. Like Ephesus, Jesus knows the good they did but also knows the hardships and struggles they face. Even though the city was wealthy, the Christians were in deep poverty- many were robbed of their belongings and were often fired from their jobs (a form of persecution); many Jews were hostile toward the Christians ("slander") so they weren't really Jews (in a similar aspect, how can you be a Christian and hate others?). Jesus warns of upcoming imprisonments for "ten days" (probably not literally ten days, but symbolic of a short period of time. They will be tested and the persecutions will continue, but if they remain faithful, Jesus will provide the "crown of life". Jesus doesn't rebuke the church, Jesus doesn't tell them to correct their ways, Jesus promises life! The original word for crown in this context was "stephanos" and was the crown of laurel that winners of athletic competitions would get (remember 2 Timothy 4:8- the crown of righteousness?). The "second death" is a reference to the fiery furnace of hell!
Pergamum was a capitol city of Rome. It was characterized by great libraries (having over 200,000 volumes!); it was a city of culture and wealth and a religious epicenter with temples to many of the great Roman gods and goddesses; there was even a temple for the emperor! Asclepios was the god of healing and knowledge and was symbolized by a serpent; there was a medical school in the temple to this god! Jesus mentions "Satan's throne" probably because of all the idol and god/goddess worship. Despite the fact that these people live with all these outside influences, they still hold tight to Jesus. Antipas, only mentioned here, was martyred for Christ- and Jesus knows that! Even with all the good they are doing, Jesus does have some things to discuss with them! Some of the Christians are like Balak (a reference to Numbers 22- 24); Balak was a corrupt teacher and the reference is likely to the leaders that are somewhat corrupt and immoral in their teachings. Some of the people are followers of the Nicolaitans (see last paragraph!). Repent. Simply said by Jesus. Repent or I (Jesus) will come and judge harshly. That's a string warning!! If the church repents, they will receive "hidden manna" (true bread from heaven- remember the Exodus story?) and a white stone. White stones were often used as invitations to weddings, large parties, festivals; they were also a sign of being counted in a census or being acquitted in a court of law. Whichever Jesus meant- it is a sign of goodness and blessings! On the stone will be a "new name"- symbolic of a new life (remember all the name changes that happen when something significant happens in the life of a person?).
The last church in this chapter is Thyatira. The smallest and probably least significant of the seven churches listed. There were many active trade guilds and merchants. Lydia (Acts 16) was a "seller of purple cloth" and lived in this city. As with the other churches, Jesus acknowledges their good parts and what is happening right. They are growing in faith, love, and patience (last works are greater than your first means you are getting better). But! Jezebel- likely not her real name, more like a "title" for someone (as if you called someone a "Hitler" or a "Judas"- there are negative connotations that go along with those names). This Jezebel was practicing sexual immorality; she was an ungodly influence. And she was corrupting people of the church ("my servants"). She had an option to stop and repent, but turned that down. Jesus says what He will do- throw her onto a sickbed and anyone that has immoral sex with her will be judged harshly! They will have an option to repent, but judgement is there! Judgment results in death! Even with the negative influences of Jezebel, if Christians overcome that, they will be rewarded with "power over all the nations"- they would reign with Jesus and be rewarded with an audience with Himself ("the Morning Star").
In all of these letters (and in the ones to come), the ending words are "let anyone who has an ear listen..." These words, although directed at a particular church, are words that all people should listen to and pay attention to. The letters apply to everyone!
Great reading today and I can relate to lots of what Jesus says in these letters! We will cover the klast three churches tomorrow.
Have a great day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Jesus confronts 4 churches in this chapter.
ReplyDeleteFirst he confronts the church in Ephesus He identifies himself as the one who holds the 7 stars in his right hand and walking amid the lampstands He does find good in the church but complins that they have fallen away Fron loving him and they must repent if they do this the fruit from the tree of lifewill be theirs in God's paradise.
The second Church in Smyrnaand he identifies as First and Last and the one who died but now lives. He knows the are poor and are suffering but are rich, The ones who are blaspheming them are not Jews but from Satans synagogue they will suffer for 10 daysbut if they remain faithful even if they face death they will receive the crown of life
Third church in Pergumum, the city where Satan has his throne, where they are eating food served to idols and sexual sinning Jesus identifies himself as the one with the sharp two edged sword. If they repent of their sins they will be nourished of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven it also talks of them receiving a white stone with and new name engraved on it. Not understanding this but probably some kind of reward in heaven
The last church is Thyatira where Jesus identifies as the Son of God, the one with eyes like flames of fire and feet like polished bronze. The complaint against this church is that a woman who is called a Jezebel is leading this church astray with her sinful immorality and if the ones committing adultery with her will all suffer with her unless they repent the rest will have remained faithful and stay true until Jesus returns will receive authority over all nations they will have the same authority as Jesus got from the Father and they will receive the morning star which I.m thinking is eternal life. after each synopsis of each church Jesus ends with saying anyone who hears must listen to the Spirit and understand what he says to the churches. will it be understood what Jesus is saying to the churches and know what he means?
The "new name" references name changes that happen throughout the Bible when something profound happens to a person. Paul, prior to his conversion was known as Saul; Abraham prior to his covenant with God was known as Abram; Sarah was Sarai; Jacob become Israel after he wrestles with an angel.
DeleteThe "white stone" is really a symbol of inclusion and acceptance.
Each letter ends with the same words- "anyone who has ears, listen" which means that even though the letters were to specific churches, we can all learn from them.
Good Clara!
In this chapter and the next, John talks to 7 churches, 4 in this chapter and 3 in the next. John relates how Jesus is giving them His synopsis of what is wrong with each church and hoe it must be corrected, or else. The “or else” is the church’s slide into Hell and to spend eternity with Satan. If the deficiencies are corrected, then all is wonderful, and the church can go on serving God.
ReplyDeleteMy question is: Why these 7 churches? These churches are all located in what is now the western part of Turkey, but at the time this was written, it was probably part of the Roman Empire. If this book were brought up to date, I mean written to address the era of 2021, would these 7 churches be singled out for inclusion, or would churches in other parts of the world be added? What is it about these 7 churches? Are the issues that these churches face common to most other churches?
That's a great question! There are a few "guesses" I can come up with! Seven is a number that symbolizes perfection (it took God seven days for creation- so perfect). We often we seven being representative of that perfection. These churches symbolize all that is going on in the world at the time. Although these 7 were singled out, the sins that Jesus mentions is happening to all churches- so they were the examples. Plus, they are some of the larger cities in the Roman empire- representing then "all" the empire.
ReplyDeleteHow's that?
Good question and I will do some research to see what the experts say. Thanks JAck