Greetings, All who love God! and Those who do not know Him yet!
Taking the Churches of Revelation class in the Bible college and the question was asked, "why did the Lord put a brief description of Himself before describing each of the different Churches?"
Would it have something to do with offering an example before exposing the Churches? Or maybe have something to do with symbolism?
Thanks Folks!
"why did the Lord put a brief description of Himself before describing each of the different Churches?"
Would it have something to do with offering an example before exposing the Churches? Or maybe have something to do with symbolism?
I trust we are not doing your homework for you knitefall!!
All the 7 descriptions of the Lord start with the words "These things saith He ..." (or similar).
The 7 descriptions describe the character of the Lord as He wishes it to be known to the particular church He is addressing.
In the bible, and often today, a person's name or title reflects his character.
It would be trite and meaningless if all 7 addresses started "these things saith Jesus" or "Thus saith the Lord". It is similar to the way that Jehovah's witnesses insist on calling God Jehovah, they say that this is His name, but clearly they have not known the Father.
The way each church is addressed is pertinent to the message He has for them. Yes there is symbolism and metaphore here, but I believe that if you approach the chapters prayerfully, the Lord will open the scriptures to you to see the connection of His character titles with the things said to them.
But there are lots of commentaries and we are all here to help.
Right, I understand. No, not my homework- I just wonder about things like this.
I just wonder if there is a typological inference for the order of the placement of each self description. If the descriptions somehow coincide with the attitude of the specific Churches, I mean.
We should be remember that the book of Revelation is prophesy (chap 1 v.3). John, in his calling as a prophet was commanded to:
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Rev 1:19 (KJV).
Chapter 1 is the vision of the Son of Man which John had seen.
Chapters 2 and 3 refers to the things that are: ie the churches. Not just the seven mentioned (see ch22 v.16), although they prophetically typify the churches which have existed and will exist in the church age until the church is taken away.
Chapter 4 to the end describe the things which shall be hereafter ie after the true church has been taken to heaven and judgement begins.
Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Rev 4:1 (KJV)
Each of the addresses to the 7 churches include four statements from the Lord
1 The character of Christ which is always adapted to the state of the particular church.
2 In each church we see the special character of the trials of the faithful.
3 A special promise is given to sustain the faith of those under the trial. So there is grace to suit their special circumstances.
4 Looking forward to the time of fullest blessing, we see the portion given “to him that overcometh,” when Christ has taken the saints to Himself.
Just looking at the first, to the Ephesus,
“He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks”—
The 7 stars in His right hand were seen by John back in chapter 1 v16, and in chap1 v 13, He is seen walking among the 7 candlesticks. Rev 1 v20 explains what these things were. "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches".
This shows the character of Christ revealed in exercising judgment.
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev 2:4-5 (KJV)
Please take your time and read through the other addresses to the churches and see how the character of the Lord applies to each one.
yes, this is what I was looking for.
I am looking them over. I find it interesting. Even from the start, the Lord was encouraging us.
After He died, they called Him "Jesus, the God-man who lived among us."
Edit, could you expound a little on 'adapted' for me?
Edit asks 'could you expound a little on 'adapted' for me?'
This I think refers to my previous posting 9 Sept on the character of Christ as shown in the 7 churches of Revelation.
I said :'The character of Christ which is always adapted to the state of the particular church"
I agree that 'adapted' is not the right word to use. I should have said:
"The character of Christ which is always relevant to the state of the particular church", (or an old english usage: peculiar to)
Sorry all; not wishing to mislead.
Can I also take this opportunity to say that my previous comments on Revelation being prophesy and having a mostly future fullfillment, is my belief, (and that of many others). I would love to hear from anyone who has other light on the 7 churches, or believes it should be interpreted in another way.
I just do not understand why Revelation being -- an "open, unsealed" book; part of the New Testament; an inheritance for the church, and the only book which promises blessing on those who read and hear it (chap 1 v3) -- that more christians are not willing to talk about what it teaches.
David
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