I love the picture Jesus uses here to describe Himself as having "the sharp double-edged sword" of the Word that we too hold on to!
Again, He starts with good things to say to this group of believers who lived in the ancient capital of Asia. Satan's throne was found in the emperor worship that had it's centre here. Mention of Antipas being martyred for his faith sends shivers even now, especially if the legend is true that * he was slowly roasted to death in a bronze kettle. Yikes.
Yet He still comes down hard on them and rightly so! Jesus had said in John 8:31, 32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Not only does there seem to be a group within this church that was following false teachings, but the rest of the church was allowing them!
I found it interesting the devotion for today brought out that "Jesus not only called on the guilty to repent of their sinful ways but he also called on the rest of the congregation to repent of their inaction toward those who were straying." Both played a role and neither was innocent.
Jesus calls them and us to repentance and forgiveness and offers us the promise of salvation in a "white stone with a new name written on it" - our "not guilty" verdict!
*Concordia Self-Study notes
6 comments:
I am reading this section of Revelation multiple times because it doesn’t speak to me as clearly as the others sections we’ve read so far.
I see parallels between Pergamum and, say, the U.S. (where I live) as being places of great political power and influence. While it sounds like the culture of Pergamum was overtly pagan and here in the U.S. many of our gods are cloaked in a kind of Christian veil, sometimes it does feel like I also live in a place “where Satan has his throne.” I suppose that’s just the nature of living in a sinful world – of which the devil is the prince.
Rachel, thank you for highlighting the point in the devotional reading about calling on "the rest of the congregation to repent of their inaction toward those who were straying." That thought didn't even stick in my brain as I read it (more than once!) but it is such a good reminder to lovingly care for our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ by treating false teachings and persistent sin as serious threats.
As a Christian anywhere, anytime in this sin-filled world, I take comfort in the living, active, double-edged sword of God’s word (Heb 4:12). I am sustained by the hidden manna. I know that there is a white stone earned by Christ’s blood that, by God’s amazing grace and mercy, has my name on it.
What comfort today’s reading provides, while intensifying my eagerness for my Jesus to come again and remove this world’s prince from his throne forever!
I agree - I had to read this over multiple times!
And I also see "Satan on his throne" in the city and country I live in. But what is striking about this section to me is the emphasis Jesus makes on the divine inspiration of His word to defend against these errors. Twice He equates his word to a sword. This very letter is the word of Jesus and not just a mere human in John. And that these words are "what the Spirit says".
You're right - this reading does provide much comfort to us who still struggle on this side of eternity!
So, my study notes mentioned that the white stone was often used as an invitation to a banquet. Far be it from me to dispute this against the author's "not guilty" stone verdict; to be honest both sound like good things to me!
I mention it because thinking of a banquet got me thinking about the Lord's Supper. Since Christ mentioned a "hidden manna" in this passage. It makes me think of John 6:25-59 all in this...where Christ says in verses 53-58:
“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
[Again, I am NOT trying to say my opinion holds weight! I am here to LEARN, obviously, and want feedback!]), I find it encouraging that the manna He mentions is hidden. If I take it a step further (granted, I am doing this with trembling and NOT to try to lead anybody astray!)and think of the new manna could possibly be his sacrament, it encourages me and reinforces what was hard for me to initially believe before coming into the Lutheran church--that God's body & blood are truly present, not symbolized, in, with, and under the bread and wine.
What are y'all thinking? If I'm out on a limb, please just set me straight ;)
That's interesting that your study notes would say that - I haven't heard the "invitation to the banquet" for the white stones before. That's not to say that couldn't be true. We're talking about the culture at the time that we're far removed from so it certainly could be the case. I'm thinking the "not guilty" verdict does seem to fit the text better. But regardless, the overall meaning doesn't change, and this is where Revelation's personality and uniqueness come in.
As well, your comments on the hidden manna referring us to the Lord's Supper today is an interesting thought and not anything to dismiss. It definitely calls to mind the manna given to the Israelites wandering in the desert. And your quote of the John 6 verses are accurate to sight. Again, "Scripture interprets Scripture" and this is a good reference. John 6:33 says, "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." When we eat this manna God provides in this gospel message, we believe and have this life! So yes, you could go on from there and consider Communion in these verses of how God sustains and grows our faith in this sacrament where once again God provides his manna to us! Again, the meaning does not change and is clear - we believers have been declared innocent by God!!
cre8ev, I love your insight! Finding things like this, for me, are the evidence that God's Word is living and active! (Again Heb 4:12!) The way I see it, you are not disagreeing with the idea of the stone being the "not guilty" verdict, you are simply sharing an idea about a different way of seeing the imagery in the passage.
I have found that God does this often as I am in his word on a regular basis. Different parts of Scripture are interconnected in ways that I believe God intends for us to discover over the course of our lifetime in order to reveal truths about himself to us, often in very timely and personal ways. ***Praise God for encouraging you in your belief in the truth of the real presence!***
You have not taken hold of an idea that came into your head that disagrees with any other part of Scripture (at least not that you - or I - know of) and proclaimed it to be some sort of new truth or revelation. THAT would be leading others astray.
But rather, you have shared your alternate interpretation of the imagery that sheds light on another spiritual truth which is reinforce elsewhere in Scripture! And by sharing, you bless the rest of us with a little more richness and understanding about this passage, and all the more of a sense of awe and wonder about the power and wisdom of God and his word!
Now when I receive the Lord's Supper, I will think about the fact that I am receiving "the hidden manna" - Jesus himself! The bread of life! I will be thinking about my own personal white stone - my invitation to the heavenly banquet of which the Lord's Supper is a foretaste!
Thank you SO much for sharing, cre8ev!
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