I’ve started a series on the book of Revelation. It probably won’t be what you would expect.
You’ll never see me make specific and fanciful predictions about the end of the world. Instead, this series will review four major themes in Revelation. I’ll be upfront about things we cannot know, and focus on what is knowable.
Our theme verse about the timing of the end of the world is a quote from Jesus. “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” [Matt. 24:36]
Today we’ll start exploring the truths of Rev. 2-3.
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Which of the following would be the most mysterious?
- The inner workings of the Federal Reserve.
- The Bermuda Triangle.
- ____________ [Insert name of a publicity seeking major celebrity] eats a turnip, and it doesn’t make the news.
- The price of gas remains stable.
- The final book of the Bible; Revelation.
All of these things are mysterious. But the award for seniority goes to; Revelation.
Revelation is considered mysterious because it has very vague symbolic language with multiple possible meanings. Plus, since much of it concerns the end of the world, it’s ripe for sensationalist abuse.
Revelation is mostly meant to inspire, not instruct. It does instruct us, it’s just not a major purpose of the book. It does not instruct us about when the end of the world will come. If anyone claims they have proof as to when the end will come, either hang on to your wallet or be very cautious and skeptical.
We’re discovering that Revelation has a rich text. In Parts 3 and 4 we saw some of its Art; poetic descriptions of the majesty of God.
In all Scriptures there is truth. For the next few articles, we’ll focus on the truth that’s concentrated in Revelation 2 and 3.
The Apostle John has been exiled to the island Patmos, off modern day Turkey. The Romans decided that they needed to silence John, since he had such an enormous influence. This little old man made them very, very nervous. He had tremendous moral authority, and thousands listened to his every word. By sticking him out on this remote island, the Romans thought this would cut him off from the Church, and eliminate his influence. This turned out to be a very dumb move.
While on Patmos John has this extended vision of how God will help believers of the first centuries face persecution, and how he will eventually conclude human history. The book of Revelation is the record of that vision; a vivid dream that John records for us in graphic detail.
The second and third chapters are where Jesus dictates some letters to John for seven congregations on the mainland, what they referred to as “Asia.” Each of these short letters is addressed to the angel of the congregation, which could mean one or more or all of several different things. Some believers feel each letter was only intended for that first century church, or might be directed to all churches throughout all time, and/or represent a different type of church today, and/or a different era in Church history, and/or something else. Good Christians stand on all sides of each interpretation. What we’ll do today is focus on the message of the letters, something for which we can be far more certain. Because the truth is far less mysterious.
Some passages in the Bible are literal-literal, and some are literal-figurative. When Jesus tells that “God so loved the world” that’s literal-literal; literal for the people of the first century and literal for us. When Paul tells the believers to greet each other with a kiss, most American Christian take that as literal-figurative, literal for them and figurative for us. I don’t care how cute you may be; I’m not going to kiss you [except for that one cute blonde I know]. I realize this is probably a great relief for most of you, perhaps all of you. I will shake your hand or squeeze your elbow, or if it’s a guy punch him in the arm. There might be a hug. But I’m not going to kiss you.
These letters in Chapters 2 and 3 are mostly literal-literal. In these letters Jesus wants to help them keep their faith through different types of trials. Although our situations may be different, we face the same threats. So, Jesus’ commands to them are also for us. Our Summation Statement for today is; True then, true now.
In the next 3 articles we’ll look at the truths Jesus shared with the churches in the first century.
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Dave Soucie lives, serves and writes in Indianapolis.
Copyright © 2023 by Dave Soucie. All rights reserved [but permission is granted for non-commercial use only, with proper citation].
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