Money is a funny thing.

I hope to get to writing again here, but not sure just what it will look like, I certainly will continue to"publish" my Revelation notes as blog entries in an appropriate chunks. But, I did get a laugh today when I logged on for the first time in over a year and saw who'd ad had showed up. While I do not endorse Scientology, I do not suppose that learning more about it can be all that bad, can it? Is it possible that the four or five people that have clicked over to the blog over the last few months were heavy into Scientology, or is it a masterful plan to convert anyone with a biblical reference on their blogs? While we're at it, anyone have any comments on BYU's strategy to leave athletic conferences so they can free themselves to play anyone and mission further?

The Churches -- Ephesus

If you're not one of the two following BoJ, or even if you are, you may want to revisit the November 7 post. Let's dive right in. Go ahead and read through Rev 2. A lot of the historical narrative comes from Barclay (1976), but it really hits home if you read the passage first.

Ephesus (v. 1–7)
Located along several trade routes, and located at the mouth of a river (Cayster River) in a fertile valley, Ephesus was a thriving city with a large population of Jews, and would have ranked third in importance as a Christian center (Jerusalem, Antioch) according to Poellot (1962). At that time, Ephesus was the greatest city in Asia-minor, trade routes from nearby river valleys and as far away as Mesopotamia converged at Ephesus and from the port at Ephesus, connected to the Mediterranean—Ephesus was the grand marketplace for the region. Known for its great theatre, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Temple of Artemis (Artemis—Greek; Diana--Roman)—was the center of worship for Artemis. The temple contained many priestesses who were sacred prostitutes, and it also offered asylum for criminals—they were safe if they could reach it (Barclay, 1976). Also famous for the “Ephesian Letters”; which were amulets that were supposed to have powers for various concerns such as success or sickness (Barclay, 1976).

Not only was Ephesus wealthy, it was a “free” city within the Roman empire—meaning that it had reached a point where it’s services to the Empire were rewarded such that Ephesus was allowed to self-govern itself. About a quarter to half a million people lived there at its peak in the 1st and 2nd century A.D.

This was a place that fostered immorality, but yet, the Church triumphed. The Ephesus founded by Paul, as he stayed there longer than any other city, according to Barclay (1976), and probably wrote his letter to the Ephesians about 7 years after his stay there (Poellot, 1962). Paul warned them of false prophets (Acts 20:28-30), and here, we find it realized. Amongst others, John, Mary (mother of Jesus), Timothy (as bishop of Ephesus, he condemned some pagans during their Catagogion feast, he was beaten and died of his wounds in 97 A.D.), Apollos, a Tychicus (messenger for Paul) served in or from Ephesus (Poellot, 1962). The Christian message threatened both the Ephesians devotion to profit and idolatry (read Acts 19:23- 29).

Christ identifies that Ephesus, in many ways, is a model church, testing false prophets and proving them liars, but warns that its love for God grows cold.

What role does skepticism have in the church?
See 1 Thess 5: 19-22. Mark Buchanan in Your God is Too Safe proposes that God sends his truth to those who think strenuously (as he points out, we must all be skeptical “to look at closely, to scrutinize, to study with great care, and in minute detail").

Who are the Nicolaitans? They live contrary to the Christians and against their doctrine, thus “hate” the “works” or “practices” or “deeds (KJV)”. The Nicolaintans compromised with the pagans over public festivals and in many social and civic associations to maintain peace and public approval. The Greek phrase uses kratein, and given the sentence structure with its use, it means that Christ gripped the seven stars (or churches or Church) wholly within his hand (Barclay, 1976).

What may we make of this image?

Note that walks among the lampstands, not “attached” to a single church. Barclay ties this with the truth that Christ is there were ever there is a gathering in of God’s people.

What about “remove your lampstand from its place?”
Does this mean that God will remove his Spirit?

One possibility is that God is saying that he will remove the Church at Ephesus’ right to represent Him if they do not change, and continue to mingle incorrect worldly practices with in His name.

What does that say about modern-day Christians and Churches?
How does this fit with the earlier emphasis on the need for skepticism?

What of this “tree of life?” Here is a contrast. The Ephesians had a sacred date-palm tree of Artemis, they even had it on their coins. Not the palm, but the tree of life from heaven is important.

Today, Ephesus is nothing but ruins. The river silted up the Gulf of Ephesus (the city is now six miles from the sea, according to Barclay) and the city moved, not but a shell of its former self. Few Christians (or anyone) live there today. Even the Bishop of Ephesus hails from another city (Poellot, 1962).

So with all that said, what do you make of this historical interpretation of these passages? Clearly it makes sense if you believe that John was sending teachings to his Churches in Asia Minor. For me, as we shall see, these details and use of juxtapositions reveal that John clearly meant the message for these specific churches. This may be hard to take, but you'll see it over and over as we roll through the other six letters. But, as we will also see, just because a message is historical doesn't mean it lacks value.

The Sevenfold Spirit?

During our study, we came across several possibilities for this reference in Rev 1. It may appear as "sevenfold" or "seven spirits." First, a comment about the number symbology, or potential thereof.

The number seven (John uses it 54 times in Rev): theoretically symbolizing completeness through the reunion of God with his people and earth, as the number '3' symbolizes God, '4' for earth (or all creation, Brighton, 1999), 3+4 = 7. We'll run across this again: the four winds, for example. Seven is often used when God is dealing with men (Poellot, 1962). This book is a letter to seven churches in the Roman province called Asia (western Asia Minor; in what is present–day Turkey). So:

• The Holy Spirit? Poellot points out that indeed, Pentecost is not the first time in the Bible the Spirit shows up. From Isaiah 11:2: Spirit of the Lord 1) wisdom 2) understanding 3) counsel 4) power 5) knowledge 6) piety 7) fear (reverent respect) of the Lord. And, of course, seven was a number that indicated perfection/completeness. Isaiah 11:2 “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;” (ESV) It's interesting that one of my favorite translations, NET, boils the list down to wisdom, execute plans, and loyalty. That is, unless you read the translation notes, then it becomes: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, and knowledge and fear of the Lord. Maybe we're still missing one?
• Could it be an allusion to the seven archangels? There were 7 archangels (or presences) in Judaic tradition, they were the most illustrious servants of God, referred to as “the seven first white ones” (Enoch 90:21). However, Barclay (1976) points out that these are created beings, not God.
• What do YOU think?