With being sick on Saturday, this feels more like a lesson I sucked out of my thumb, but hopefully still edifying… Sorry, less formatting as well.

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I feel like I really missed out in having not been here the last 2 Sundays. Would havebeen really interesting to hear what was discussed.

This section on addressing the churches is super practical. Feels like we could spend the whole lesson on any one phrase, but I would like to try to work our way through most of the text I hope.

Sardis

A fascinating picture of a dying church. Sometimes I wish we could have known the churches he spoke of personally. Many authors feel Jesus’ address to the seven churches here was specifically to those churches, but also were representative of all the churches, both then and now. If so, it makes me thoughtful which church Weavertown would be most like. Part of me is like, we are doing pretty good here, and part of me is scared to know what Jesus would really say about me and the church here.

Angel: did you at all discuss what the significance is of addressing the churches through their angel?

Jesus’ title: Represents his divinity/control (“has” the Holy Spirit), and control of the churches (stars), specifically Sardis.

The church at Sardis was so dead that Jesus skipped his usual praise/reproof formula. In this case, the works he commended them for were actually their biggest weakness. They thought they were alive but were actually dead. Perhaps Jesus was referencing the famous cemetery outside the city where many famous kings had been buried.

What were Jesus’ accusations of the church of Sardis ?

• dead/sleeping (1, 3)
• wake up and strengthen what remains/is about to die
• incomplete works
• Remember what you received and heard, and keep it (were not apparently)

A similar list: What were his commands to the church?

• Wake up
• Strengthen what remains
• Remember
• Keep it
• Repent

Finally, what did Jesus say he would do:

• I will come like a thief (if you don’t wake up),
• I will come against you
• Implies that he will blot out the dead people from the book of life (5)

Ok, let’s back up and discuss some of those points a bit. First of all, what was the substance of what Jesus was reproving them for? I think the idea of being dead/sleeping is probably the key idea to this church.

First of all, what is meant by the picture of death and sleeping?

Maybe death is a person who has fallen away from grace enough he is no longer a Christian. He is no longer listening to the Holy Spirit. Maybe the outside still looks pretty good? I think sleeping implies that the person is still a Christian, but in a stupor and not listening well, if at all to the Holy Spirit. Maybe I’m splitting hairs here, but I think Christ’s command is to the sleepers, not the corpses, if you will. Jesus also complained that their works were incomplete. I’m not sure what that means. It seems like works are a result of what is in the heart??

Going on to Jesus’ commands, how do you wake up like he commanded? Jesus also said to remember what you received and heard. Probably they go together. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). Is obedience what they were missing? They weren’t paying attention to what they knew to do and thereby fell asleep? I think we just really need reminders of what God expects of us or we get sloppy. (Is sloppy obedience really that big a deal?) Sometimes when I try to evaluate some of our practices at Weavertown that our more unique to Christendom, like say, no jewelry, I hear Satan’s words in the back of my head–hath God really said?

Crux of command revolves around repentance. Very similar to most of the other churches. What is repentance?

Jesus states he will come like a thief if they do not wake up. This must be referring to judgment on their church. It is probably also referring to Jesus’ descriptions of his return in the gospels. Sardis had also been captured twice by a “thief”. 2 Peter 3 talks about Christ’s return as impetus for godly living.

Encouragement: There just a few true believers left, who had not soiled their garments and were worthy to be with Jesus in glory. This seems like a different metaphor–not soiling their robes instead of being dead/sleeping. Is he talking about something different, or is being dead/sleeping the same thing as being dirty?

Promise to the conquerors: salvation, confess his name before my Father/angels. Seems to be basically the same promise. Why did he give this promise to this church????

Let him hear… no doubt we have a tendency to not pay attention to this warning.

Philadelphia:

Almost complete opposite to Sardis–No reproof at all.

Jesus’ title: Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only two churches with no rebuke, and it is interesting that both were under severe threat from a powerful Jewish presence in the city. Therefore, the names of Christ chosen here reflect that situation and reassure the beleaguered Philadelphia Christians that the Messiah is indeed on their side, not on the side of the “synagogue of Satan” (3: 9). Osborne, Kindle Location 4462

As much as we appreciate our religious freedom here in the United States, I think it is deadly to our spirituality.

I know your works… Jesus’ affirmation section starts with a promise.

His decision will be final. When he “opens” the New Jerusalem (to the Gentiles), no one can change that decision. When he “closes” the door (to these Jews), this decision also cannot be altered. Osborne, Kindle Locations 4490-4491

A key feature of the church of Philadelphia was faithfulness:

• You have little power yet have kept my word/not denied my name (8)
• Kept my word about patient endurance (10)
• Hold fast to what you have (command, 11). Even though this church was doing much better, spiritually, then Sardis, it was given a very similar command to hold fast.
• I think this is a key take away from this entire section on the letters to the churches as it is consistently alluded to in each letter (e.g. to the one who overcomes).
• This is one of the fruits of the Spirit. How do we cultivate a heart of faithfulness in discouraging circumstances?

God will punish those who are persecuting his church (9). I think an acute awareness of God’s justice makes it so much easier for us as his children to focus on love and forgiveness. (Romans 12, 13; Timothy Keller, I think this episode: http://podbay.fm/show/352660924/e/1424299640?autostart=1)

Bowing at your feet…

The passage alludes to Isa. 60: 14, “The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet” (cf. also Isa. 2: 3; 14: 2; 45: 14; 49: 23; Ezek. 36: 23; Zech. 8: 20– 23).[ 15] The OT taught that the Gentiles would be forced to pay homage to the Jews at the eschaton, and now this promise is turned on its head: Jewish oppressors would be forced to pay homage to Gentile believers. Osborne, Kindle Locations 4551-4554

Although this feels foreign to me as a Matthew 5 Christian, I think this is consistent with the concept that we will be judges with God at the end of the world.

Protection: V 10 seems to be a promise for protection from God’s coming wrath at the end of the world.

V 11 ff: Return of Christ. This is the first of 4 times his return is mentioned in the letters to the churches in which it is a positive. Since they were being faithful, his return would mean vindication and reward instead of judgment.

Since didn’t really get much past v. 4 last Sunday, I will continue from there. The first section is mostly pasted from last week’s study guide, but with a few additions. Unfortunately, this is mostly commentary, as in, my processing the content behind the language here.  However, what is the big picture here of this lesson? What are the take-aways for Weavertown? I need more time to think about that, hopefully before Sunday…  I do think this is a very powerful description of Jesus in his glorified state.  Our response should be like John’s–falling down at his feet! (Worship and hope).

• Verses 4-8: Again–JESUS! Jesus is a central theme of Revelation.  I tend to think of Jesus as tender, meek and mild and forget he is the rider on the white horse who will judge the nations with a rod of iron!! Nowhere else in the NT do we really get a glimpse of awesome divinity of Jesus like this.  I think worship is a key task for us for our study of Revelation!  Let’s take a look at the different attributes listed of Jesus:
• Grace and Peace: This can only be given by someone who can extend grace and create peace.
• From him who is and who was and who is to come (repeated v. 8 and elsewhere): besides affirming God’s eternal nature, this is a declaration that He is in control of past, present and future, in spite of evil having a heyday in the present.
• Vs 4-5 is also a fascinating reference to each member of the Trinity.
• There is much debate over why the Spirit is referred to as seven, but probably a reference to perfection.
• Jesus is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings on earth.
  • Probably way more significance than this, but to the persecuted church, Jesus was emphasizing that he had been through the same things they had, and he was in control of their enemies–death and kings.
• Vs 5b-6: a Doxology TO Jesus. What a powerful list of his loving work on behalf of His Bride, the church! There is not nearly enough time in one SS lesson to even begin to cover these verses.
  • 1 Peter 1:18-19 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
  • Exodus 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
  • Again, to the hearts of those suffering for the name of Christ–what a reassurance to be reminded of His work and know that he has made us his kingdom and priests!
  • What is the significance of priests? (direct access to God and task of representing Him)
  • What should our response be his work? (PRAISE!)
• V 7: coming with the clouds–echoes Dan 7:13 and Matt 24:30:
  • Daniel 7:13-14 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
  • Matthew 24:30-31 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
• Even those who pierced him…will wail. This reference to Zech 12:10ff where the house of Israel will mourn over the one they have pierced.  10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
  • Perhaps this wailing/mourning is implying a recognition of crucifying their prince. Perhaps mourning in repentance? Perhaps fear of coming judgment?
  • Or perhaps all of the above are intended by the ambiguity–certainly all are appropriate responses.  Reminds me of the declaration in Phil 2 that every knee will bow to Jesus some day.  Every eye will see His return and finally recognize Him for who he truly is.
• Common theme is that Jesus’ return is with glory and power. The Jesus we see in Revelation is now King of kings!
• Alpha and Omega/is/was/is to come/Almighty. This idea of God’s eternity displays his control of everything, in this context especially the end of the world and bringing judgment.

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• I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation…
  • Hauck calls [endurance] the “basic attitude of the righteous” in the  OT and later Judaism. (Osborne, Kindle Locations 2177-2179).
  • The Christian’s John was writing to needed to be reminded to persevere in the face of tribulation. This is a major theme of Revelation (cf. each of the letters to the churches).
• John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, not that far from Ephesus.
• I was in the Spirit… This phrase is used 4 times in Revelation (1: 10; 4: 2; 17: 3; 21: 10).  Probably most significant as a “literary device to point to the apocalyptic nature of the visions” (Osborne, Kindle Location 2211).
• On the Lord’s Day… Yoder argues that this did not mean Sunday but the Day of the Lord.  Osborne counters by showing that the Greek term for Day of the Lord does not match what John wrote here.  He prefers to interpret this as Sunday. This terminology for Sunday became common right after the time of this writing.
• Voice like a trumpet is significant. Almost always in the NT is used to refer to harbinger of the day of the Lord or a theophany–probably both innuendos were intended (Osborne, Kindle Location 2250).
• The church(es) as lampstands: Probably the main point of the metaphor is that the church is “a shining light for God in the midst of a hostile world” (Osborne, Kindle Location 2307)
• Christ was in the midst of the lampstands–probably signifying his presence and support during their trials.
• One like a son of man: generally agreed by commentators that it literally means “humanlike”, but the significance of that meaning is highly debated. This is a strong reference to Daniel 7. Osborne argues “the ‘son of man’ image in Daniel, the Gospels, and Revelation was a messianic figure with a  divine overtones” (Osborne, Kindle Location 2343).
• Description of Christ: Do you think this is literally how Jesus looked, or were these more like prophetic pictures describing his power and glory? Osborne argues more of the latter. He says these eight attributes are images drawn from the OT.
  • Long robe and golden sash. Possibly referring to garb of the priest. Could also signify his position as rulers of the day wore sashes across the chest (not at the waist as ordinary people).
  • White head and hair: indicated wisdom and years of experience. Also reinforces that Jesus is part of the Godhead as this is a metaphor for God in Dan 7:9.
  • Blazing Eyes: (Dan 10:6) divine insight
  • Shining metal feet: “since feet in the ancient world portrayed the direction of one’s life, the image here depicts Christ’s life in both its strength or stability and it’s absolute purity” (Osborne, Kindle Location 2397).
  • Powerful Voice: (Ezek 1:24) image of power and strength
  • Stars in His Right Hand: Right hand symbolizes power and authority.  He controlled the stars (symbol of authority/divinity?)
  • Sword from His Mouth: (Isa 11:4)probably reference to judgment. Compares to the idea of slaying the wicked/antichrist with the breath of his mouth.
  • Brilliant Face: (Sinai, Ps 84:11, etc) attribute of Yahweh. Revealed glory.
• Falling before the exalted Christ is proper response. Perhaps also heralds what everyone will do some day (Phil 2). However, John did not stay there (he obeyed and was told not to fear).
• Laid his Right hand on me: symbolizes commissioning.
• Vs 17-20: not sure why Jesus repeats a lot of the things John already mentioned,  but definitely shows that Jesus is glorified and in charge. John is also clearly being commissioned to communicate the message of Revelation to the church.

Ok, well this got pretty long winded, but it introduces a lot of major topics in understanding Revelation. Hope this helps you think well about this book of Scripture.  Also, I reserve the right to change my mind on some issues as I study and the Lord gives me deeper insight 🙂

Intro

• • • How do you feel about studying Revelations? Or maybe a better question is, how would you feel about being asked to teach the book? Here are a few of my thoughts:
      • It looked very daunting to me because I have hardly any background.  I have read little, studied little, and heard few teaching/sermons. So I have to do a lot of study to feel educated enough to speak about it.
      • There is probably more debate about the interpretation of Revelations than most Bible books, especially the NT.  I think this is a big part of why it looks scary to teach it.  I think humility will be a crucial ingredient for fostering an actual learning environment in this class.
        • Osborne, Kindle Location 808: Thus in interpreting the symbols of the book, we first need the “hermeneutics of humility” to realize we “see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror” (1 Cor. 13: 8 NLT). We are to center on the purpose of the text and note the theological thrust, leaving what will actually happen with God.
      • One answer to this trepidation is to review Revelation 1:3. The blessing for being internalizing this book is very clear.  (more later). My grandpa used to say, it says blessed are those who read/hear–not who understand it.
    • Another reason it feels like such a hard book to teach is because there are so many symbolic events depicted (e.g. story of the dragon and the woman).  What really was God trying to convey with that vision? Was a dragon literally trying to eat the baby, or is this just a symbol?
      • I think it’s important to distinguish between literal and physical since we earth dwellers often confuse the two (literal means it actually occurred; physical means it happened in the physical realm).
      • It is likely that God has chosen esoteric symbols from the common store of apocalyptic symbols in the first century in order to turn the reader away from exactly what he is going to do and toward the theological meaning of how he is going to do it. We do not know what is going to happen behind the pictures of locust plagues, meteor showers, volcanic eruptions, and horrible storms. Some may happen literally, many will not. It is important to realize that we know no more about the second coming than Jesus’ Jewish disciples did about the first. They too thought they were reading the Scriptures rightly. (Osborne, Kindle Location 803).  (Osborne has a lot more interesting things to say about how to understand a book like Revelation.)
      • Addendum after teaching the class: I think in a book like Revelation, it can be easy to miss the forest for the trees.  It can be easy to get so hung up on the details we don’t understand that we miss the obvious and important ones.
    • Interpretive models of Revelations: I can hardly proceed without giving a quick primer on the 5 families of interpretive models of Revelations.  I think a bit of framework will help you understand both Scripture and your own bias towards Revelations. I STRONGLY encourage you to review the article by Greg Herrick regarding interpretive models.  Models for Interpreting Revelations (Wildly Generalized)
    • A very simple outline of the whole book by Osborne (Kindle Location 1516)
      1. Prologue (1: 1– 8)
      2. Churches Addressed (1: 9– 3: 22)
      3. God in Majesty and Judgment (4: 1– 16: 21)
      4. Final Judgment at the Arrival of the Eschaton 17: 1– 20: 15)
      5. New Heaven and New Earth (21: 1– 22: 5)
      6. Epilogue (22: 6– 21)

Lesson

• • • V 1: The Revelation…
      • Quick question, what is the name of the last book of the Bible (it’s actually Revelation–not Revelations, plural)
    • The Greek word for Revelation is apocalypse. Some scholars use the title apocalypse interchangeably with Revelation.
      • A side note, but apocalyptic literature is an actual genre of books of the day. Knowing this is helpful when trying to do a (in depth) study of Revelation.
    • 4 step process of Revelation (Yoder). God > Jesus Christ > angel > John > God’s bondservants.
      • This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
      • V 2: It is reliable (John bore witness)
      • The author is John. Some debate on which John, but best evidence if for the apostle John. It is worth noting one argument that frequently listed is that the writing style is so different from the apostle John’s other writings.  The canonicity of Revelation was questioned in the early church, so there are less extant manuscripts and more textual variants.  Osborne argues (and I agree), that the solecisms (e.g. unusual grammar/allusions to OT terms) were John’s way of highlighting an important truth (Kindle location 989).  Nonetheless, this is pertinent to serious study of Revelations because John’s grammar has led astray a lot of well-meaning people.
    • The content of the Revelation–The events listed will take place soon (1c, 3c). This informs our model of interpreting Revelation.  It is also pertinent that God’s version of “soon” is not synonymous with humans, and that this language is similar to other NT language referring to the Jesus’ 2nd coming (Yoder).
      • Osborne says this is an allusion to Daniel 2:28 (implying this is the end spoken of there). The imminent end of history is a constant theme in the  NT and is at the heart of the Book of Revelation. (Osborne, Kindle Location 1616)
    • V3: Reader and Heeder: as I mentioned earlier, there are very specific commands for the church in regard for what to do with this Revelation from Jesus. If you forget everything else from today, remember this verse!! Read (aloud), hear, keep. Also, implied to remember it (for the time is near).
      • Reader: this was referring probably primarily to the tradition of having official readings of Scripture in worship services (think our readings before the message, or as part of the worship).  One of the most important ideas that give me is that we should be using Revelation more often for our worship services!
      • Hear: this is an extension of the previous thought–primarily referring to the worshipers who were paying attention during the services as the book was read.
      • Heeder: keep what is written in it.  Are there commands in the book of Revelation? I would have thought of it more as a prophecy book, and not realize that it contains commands for the church today. But whatever we learn from this book, we must always be keeping a sharp eye out for the instruction for us.
    • To the seven churches: why did John/Jesus pick these seven churches specifically?
      • Therefore, John deliberately chose to address these particular seven churches but intended them to typify all the other churches (see “what the Spirit says to the churches” in 2: 7, 11, etc., with the plural meant to include all churches). (Osborne, Kindle Locations 1738)
      • This means this message applies to us as well.
      • Good time to point out that the context of Revelation was to the suffering church.  It was to give hope!  Likely written around 90 AD during reign of Domitian, although time of Nero is also possible.  Imperial cult (worship of the Emperor) was prominent.

Verses 4-8: JESUS! Jesus is a central theme of Revelation.  I tend to think of Jesus as tender, meek and mild and forget he is the rider on the white horse who will judge the nations with a rod of iron!! Nowhere else in the NT do we really get a glimpse of awesome divinity of Jesus like this.  I think worship is a key task for us for our study of Revelation!  Let’s take a look at the different attributes listed of Jesus:

• • Grace and Peace: This can only be given by someone who can extend grace and create peace.
  • From him who is and who was and who is to come (repeated v. 8 and elsewhere): besides affirming Jesus’ eternal nature, this is a declaration that He is in control of past, present and future, in spite of evil having a heyday in the present.
  • Reference to the Holy Spirit underscores the Trinity.
  • Jesus is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings on earth.
    • Probably way more significance than this, but to the persecuted church, Jesus was emphasizing that he had been through the same things they had, and he was in control of their enemies–death and kings.
  • Vs 5b-6: a Doxology TO Jesus. What a powerful list of his loving work on behalf of His Bride, the church! There is not nearly enough time in one SS lesson to even begin to cover these verses.
    • Again, to the hearts of those suffering for the name of Christ–what a reassurance to be reminded of His work and know that he has made us his kingdom and priests!
    • What is the significance of priests? (direct access to God and task of representing Him)
  • V 7: coming with the clouds (Dan 7:13 and Matt 24:30). Even those who pierced him (reference to Zech 12:10.  Again, a major theme of Revelation is Jesus’ return with glory and power.
  • Alpha and Omega. As previously stated, this idea of God’s eternity displays his control of everything, in this context especially the end of the world and bringing judgment.

So I am trying to think about how to get started thinking about Revelations.  There are so many opinions to wade through, and seemingly so deeply held, too.

I just bought the Kindle version of Osborne’s commentary on Revelations. According to the reviews, Osborne takes an eclectic approach with some weight towards futuristic model.

This post by Ligonier Ministries explains the basic viewpoints (interpretive models) for understanding the book of Revelations, as does this post by Greg Herrick.  It was helpful for me to hear descriptions about the interpretive models most people use for understanding Revelations.  I think its important to be self-aware of your own explanatory model for a book like this.

I would love to hear your opinions on how to think about understanding Revelations.