Revelation 2

Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)





Revelation 2

Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands says this..."
Jesus still speaks to His church from His ascended glory. Jesus last words to the church were not the Great Commission or the injunction to tarry in Jerusalem. His last recorded words in Scripture are here in Revelation but they imply that Jesus is right in the midst of the churches and desires to speak with them continually. Among the last recorded words of Jesus in chapter 3 are "behold I stand at the door and knock ; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him.." (Rev 3:20) Jesus wanted continuous spiritual fellowship with the church He gave His life for. The lack of this is the condemnation of the Laodecians. However that is ahead of us, this week we will deal with the church in Ephesus.

The seven stars and seven golden lampstands are explained at the end of chapter one "the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches". Jesus "walks among the seven golden lampstands" this means He is the High Priest in the midst of the churches. He is the Presence in their midst. While He is "seated at God's right hand" He is also very present amongst His churches.

The seven angels are either seven angels that guard the churches or seven human "messengers" (angel and messengers are the same Greek word). Both interpretations have problems. Lets look at the puzzling phrase "to the angel of the church in Ephesus write.." We have a puzzling order of communication...Jesus to John the apostle who then writes to the angel. Why do angelic beings need to read John's handwriting? This implies that angels are written to, read the message and then do something with it, yet the message seems to be for the whole congregation. So presumably the angel reads the exhortation and then tells the membership. This implies that angels can communicate with human beings and with churches and this is certainly the testimony of Scripture where Gideon, Mary, Daniel and many others were spoken to by angels. Thus it is not completely unbiblical but implies an almost bizarre form of getting the message through to the Ephesians. An angel appearing in the worship service and announcing the words of Jesus to the Ephesians would be a dramatic but to my mind unlikely way for God to do things.

The problem with the human messenger theory is their exalted status as "stars" in Jesus' hand. The designations of angellos (angel) and "aster" (star) are generally only used in Revelation of supernatural beings. The human messengers might be people who went to Patmos to listen to the aged apostle and then take his teachings back to the churches. As John was the only apostle still living at this time the revelation/teaching that travelled with them would make them supremely important and hence as "stars" bringing the light to the world. The fact that the "stars" were held in Jesus right hand may indicate that they were protected on their hazardous journey through Asia under the persecutions of Diocletian or it may refer to the fact that their message was not corrupted but held secure by Christ or perhaps both.

Whatever interpretation you favour the message is still clear - LISTEN UP CHURCHES JESUS HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!

Prayer:
Lord help us to hear Your words to us - your specific words of encouragement and correction. Lead us into clear, daily communication with You. Amen.

---------------------------------------------------------------

This devotional may be freely distributed for ministry purposes

Questions and comments may be sent to:
[email protected]
(not to the list please)

John Edmiston ([email protected])
Editor - Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternitymag.com/
A Biblical Corner of The Internet
Eternity Inspiration - Free daily devotionals
http://www.eternitymag.com/etinsp.htm
Tell your friends to subscribe!