The Notes to Revelation
A Selection by Virginia Stem Owens
Revelation 1 & 2 - Selected Verses
"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last . . . '" (1:17).
1:17 do not be afraid. Awe is often accompanied by fear. Whenever heavenly visitors appear to anyone in the Bible, their first words are usually, "Don't be afraid." Jesus touches John and speaks those reassuring words. If fear overwhelms awe, our worship becomes a way of placating a terrifying divinity. Jesus taught his followers that "perfect love casts out fear" (John 14:18).
"As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches" (1:20).
1:20 As for the mystery of the seven stars. Each message to the Asian churches is given to that particular church's angel to deliver to its congregation. The celestial light of stars represent the angels, while the earthly light of lampstands symbolize the churches. This image echoes Jesus' admonition not to put our light under a bushel, but on a lampstand so that it may "give light to all in the house" (Matt 5:15-16).
"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1).
2:1 who walks among the seven golden lampstands. Christ, unseen but experienced, still moves among us when we gather.
"Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God" (2:7).
2:7 to eat from the tree of life. Eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden separated us from God. But to those who stand fast in faith, Christ gives the promise of reunion with the very source of our being. Thus humanity comes full circle. At last we attain our true destiny and manifest God's purpose for us.
"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (2:10).
2:10 what you are about to suffer. Christ makes no bones about the suffering his followers will face in this world. Indeed, he tells the Smyrna congregation-the one church of the seven in whom he finds no fault--that they will soon face death.
"Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death" (2:11).
2:11 the second death. Again we hear the echo of Jesus' teaching to his disciples: "do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matt 10:28).
"Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it" (2:17).
2:17 on the white stone is written a new name. In this life, so full of imperfect understandings, we are sometimes uncertain even of our own identity. We often feel how feeble, futile, and insubstantial we are. Only the one who made us can supply the full answers to those questions. In his hand we have weight and substance. When time is fulfilled, we will "understand fully," even as we "have been fully understood" (1 Cor 13:12).
"and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve" (2:23).
2:23 I am the one who searches minds and hearts. God intends to bring us to fullness of being. We, on the other hand, invent ever-new ways to thwart that purpose. We settle for superficial and fleeting gratification, rather than hold out for true joy. Without the aid of the Spirit, we are stuck with self-deception, leading to self-destructive ways. Our job is to quit fooling ourselves and live up to our true identity, known only to God.