Go
Saints!

Thursday
March 28th, 2024
L&T Opinions Page

gary damronMY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

This week with our granddaughter, we’ve had firsthand experience watching two first grade teachers and eighteen students in a virtual online classroom. All the normal first-grade challenges are compounded by distance and new methods of communicating. During my years as a college instructor, I often sought new ways to present materials, sometimes assigning students to make a chart or graph to organize and gather information. After completing this study of the messages to the seven churches, I resorted to doing a spreadsheet to understand the material. 

The Book of Revelation, dictated by Jesus for the apostle John to write while in exile, is famous for its visions and imagery. Chapters 2 and 3 contain seven short letters to seven early churches. A book by Donald S. Metz summarizes this portion of scripture. “In the messages to the seven churches, John assures them of Christ’s love and concern for their spiritual well-being. The messages contain a balance of loving affirmation and frank condemnation. Always there is an exhortation to remain true to their high calling in Christ. And without fail these messages end with glowing promises of rewards for faithfulness.” 

Last week we finished up a description of each of the seven, and today the plan is to give an overview, comparing and contrasting. After listing each church name, the first five columns on the spreadsheet were titled Introduction, Commendation, Concern, Call, and Consequences. Finally, there’s encouragement to listen to the Spirit, foretelling of what will happen if they overcome, and their promised reward. If you’ve been following along, you will remember some; if not, I urge you to read the first three chapters of Revelation and try to categorize each by topic. 

The introductions each contain a description of the Speaker, Jesus. This glimpse of eternity is significant for the churches and for how each of us should respond to the risen Lord. Jesus is King of Kings, and the depictions indicate power, authority and majesty. He holds securely the stars (messengers), and the lampstands (churches); his eyes are like fire and feet as burnished bronze. He will eternal reign will be established wielding a two-edged sword. He is holy and true, holding the key of David, and he is able to open and lock doors. 

Commendations are given to each church except the last one addressed: the people at Laodicea, who thought they had everything ‘all together’. It should be encouraging for the rest of us that Jesus notices our deeds, our toil, the perseverance and our intolerance of evil. Especially if we’re struggling or impoverished, his treatment of us is tender. 

The call, or instructions that he gives, fall into mostly two categories – “remain faithful/hold fast” or “repent”. One church, Sardis, was told to “wake up” as all but a few had soiled their garments. 

Consequences for not heeding the call were severe, except for the church at Smyrna which was undergoing severe persecution. Jesus didn’t even talk about punishment to them. The Ephesians were in danger of losing their golden lampstands; Pergamum would face war from the two-edged sword; Thyatira was given a long warning regarding the so-called prophetess and all who followed her. Sardis could expect a sudden visit like a thief in the night, while Philadelphia was at risk of losing its crown. The most vehement denunciation came to Laodicea, which Jesus warned he would spit or vomit from his mouth. 

Yet, when it came to talk of rewards, even Laodicea received a compassionate promise in Revelation 3:20. There’s a beautiful painting of Jesus standing outside, knocking on a door, offering to come in and dine with whoever opens. The words spoken through John by Jesus weren’t just “advice for churches in Asia Minor.” They were spoken so people down through the ages would change. These chapters are for the present church whenever they are heard. 

And, the most important thing in the first three chapters of Revelation is that the Spirit is available to help bring about those changes. There is hope that even the lowest person or group can be victorious. 

The Book of Revelation can be frightening, but Jesus’ warnings were meant to bring benefit. Those who overcome are promised they will eat of the tree of life, they won’t be harmed by the second death, they will not suffer want, and they’ll no longer be in subjection to sin. They will walk with Christ in new garments, with a new name, having authority delegated by the One who comes to dine with them. Those who overcome become channels for the Spirit who brings warmth, meaning, and power which ministers to all around. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Reita Isaacs, Liberal

 

From the time I found the subject for my next article [ ... ]

Read more...

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

 

With Easter approaching, millions around the world will celebrate [ ... ]

Read more...

THE POSTSCRIPT, Carrie Classon

 

We have had our adopted Mexican street cat, Felix, for a month [ ... ]

Read more...