Monday 17 November 2008

Background

The Revelation to John is a book like no other in the Bible andleaves many people scratching their heads as to its meaning. Itbelongs to a tradition of Jewish literature known as 'apocalyptic'and looks towards a time when God will destroy the world and makeit new. These apocalypses differ from prophecy because prophetslooked at the world around them and could see how God wouldtransform it, rather than end it.

John, the writer of Revelation, is thought to have written the bookafter a time in prison during which he had visions of how the worldwould be once God claimed it. There is a sense of urgency andjudgement within the writing, which was addressed to the "sevenchurches in Asia". The Christians of this period (about AD 95)expected that the 'end time' would come soon and looked forward toit because they were facing persecution from the Romanauthorities.

The first Church addressed is Ephesus (in modern-day westernTurkey) - a great city of trade and culture, where many tradingroutes crossed on the way towards Rome. Here, the small Christiancommunity faced dangers from people who would infiltrate theirfellowship to turn people away from Christ, towards Rome or towardsthe Jewish law. The writer offers great encouragement to those inEphesus but also sounds a note of warning that all they have willbe taken from them if they do not live their faith with the samefervour as when they began.

The one who "holds the seven stars in his right hand" is Christ andthe stars are the seven Churches. The word for 'holds' can beunderstood to mean 'controls' - these Churches are connected toChrist, cared for by him and are under his control. Chapter 2 showsChrist praising the toil and patient endurance of the Christians atEphesus. Their suffering is a testing that will be rewarded with"the crown of life" (2:10).

To Ponder

What do you imagine the world would be like if itwere the way God wants it to be?

In many religions there are a minority whobelieve that the world needs to be destroyed before it can be asGod wills. Others look for transformation of the world in otherways. How do you respond to these different views?

What are the things that can 'infiltrate'Churches today, turning people from living as disciples of Christ?What can be done about them?