Introduction:
As it is with most books, the first chapter of the book of Apocalypse is an introductory chapter. It outlines the purpose of the book, with the addressees to whom it is addressed, identifies the author describes the circumstances in which it was written and presents a major theme that will be. Note to deal with this amount of information given to us!
Purpose of the book:
It is clearly expressed as the first verse. The Apocalypse is a revelation given by Jesus Christ from God to show His servants what must soon take place. Very clearly, therefore, the Apocalypse is as a book given to us by God to decipher the future. The Apocalypse is the continuing revelation of the works and deeds of God, after death, resurrection and return in glory of Jesus, the Son of God, will complete God's plan for humanity.
Regarding the completion time of revelation, we have seen in the introduction to the book "soon "Referred attaches" to the last days "or" the end-time ", time inaugurated by the ascension and enthronement of Jesus Christ at the right hand of His Father.
Target Book :
If the book covers all the servants of Christ: v 1, addresses in particular the seven churches in the days of John, were located in the province of Asia: v 4: Ephesus Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (in modern Turkey).
The choice of these particular churches as recipients of this revelation and their numbers are not based on chance. From what we know and what we read later, it is possible to deduce the following reasons:
These churches represent the Church Universal in the middle of which the Lord is . The number 7 used in the Apocalypse has always absolute value: see v 4: the seven spirits before the throne. This universality of the face of the Church, embodied by the seven churches of Asia, can be understood in several ways:
1. Represented by the seven churches, it is possible that we have a picture of the development History of the Church. From heaven, the Lord's gaze embraces all times and all ages. It is not inconceivable that the order in which the churches are quoted and details concerning them cover the heavy realities that mark the future of the Church:
- Ephesus represents the Church's first love and apostles, early church
- Smyrna Church speaks of the suffering: the Church of martyrs
- Pergamon anticipates the mixture doctrinal weave its way into the Church: Infected false doctrines
- Thyatira announces introduction into the Church a false prophet clothed with great authority: the Church dominated by the papacy
- Sardis speaks of the Church who received the Word, but did not remain faithful to the message and who is dead or near death: the Church after the reform
- Philadelphia talks about the small but powerful Church: the Church was born of missionary movements and recovery
- Laodiciée discusses the Church materially rich, but warm on the spiritual plane: the church of late.
Some commentators went further, have even established a parallel between the development of the Church, as represented in the Apocalypse, with that of the Jewish people in the Old Testament since its release in Egypt:
- Ephesus: the first is love for Israel in its output Egypt
- Smyrna: The Church in the test corresponds to Israel in the desert for 40 years
- Pergamum: The Church in the mixture corresponds to the entry of idolatry and corruption (Moab - Balaam)
- Thyatira: The Church is under the influence of the troubled period of the judges and kings (the kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel is the summit)
- Sardis: Dead Orthodox Church is the period of exile
- Philadelphia: the rest is accurate at the time that followed the exile (Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah )
- Laodicea: The Church tepid match the state of Judaism at the time of the coming of Christ.
If such comparisons are possible, it should however be wary of a too categorical classification in this regard. Frederic Godet, a commentator, sees the picture portrayed in churches, not a whole succession, but simultaneously, which means that it is at all times and in all settings that the picture presented here may be relevant.
For that we have in the portrayal of the seven churches, representing all diseases which the Church can be grieved
- Ephesus: loss of first love
- Smyrna-proof
persecution - Pergamon: mixing, false doctrines
- Thyatira: the usurpation of power by foreign authorities to the Lord
- Sardis religious formalism
- Philadelphia: low in fidelity combined with power
- Laodicea: materialism that generates warmth
"The table contains the seven churches and the representation of every shade and somehow the statistics of various states, both good and evil, which may characterize the Christian Land: Frederic Godet.
These churches are local churches existing at the time of John. If they were selected among many to be the recipients of the Apocalypse, is first, "said one commentator, because perhaps more than others, they were concerned with the major problem which arose at the time, a problem that can be found treated under different aspects in the book: the risk of the disappearance of the Church under the influence of satanic power.
We are at the time of writing the Apocalypse in the years 95-100 AD, at the time of Emperor Domitian. In his Life of Domitian, Suetonius, a Roman historian of the time, recounts several features which appeared in the contention of this emperor to divinity ... So he had engraved his image alongside those of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, on their golden crowns related in some ceremonies. The same argument led him to be cheering in the amphitheater, the title itself divine Lord. It will require even that, now or in writing in official documents or even in interviews they have with him, we have named only as "our Lord and God."
There is no doubt that in the history Domitian appears as the sponsor of the second and most violent persecution against Christians. If the first persecution under Nero touched especially Rome, that Domitian had another litter. Because it raised the question of principle of freedom cults. Now it appears that at least five localities mentioned among the churches in Asia had a sanctuary of the imperial cult: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia and it is highly likely that Laodicea, and Thyatira there are no strangers. The whole question of the future of the Church is here taken by the Decrees of Domitian. In response to this concern that the Lord will give the Apocalypse to John for these seven churches, to insure, despite the appearance of the final victory of God and His Anointed! If the Apocalypse was a revelation necessary Christians of the empire of Rome, it is even more to see us get up the specter of a New World Order.
Authors Book
If John is the writer of the Book of the Apocalypse, its real author is introduced in v. 4. It is:
1. He who is and who was and who comes . We do not need to ask ourselves about the identity of the One who comes in such an appellation: he presents himself a few verses later: v 7. It is the Almighty.
In presenting under this name, but an objective God. He reminded that He is the Lord, the Sovereign, the One who is the master whatever time facing the people of God. It is first:
- Whoever is: he who does not change, the Immutable, name under which he presented himself to Moses, Exodus
3.13 to 14 - who was then: the past, registered in time, refers to the people of God to all the testimony he could have had all his deeds. The recall to the memory of the people of God, to remember who he is, is a constant of Scripture in the moments when the people pass by the test : Exodus 13:3; 1 Chr 16.8 to 21
- He who comes last: still registered in time, the term refers to the future that should be considered for the people of God in light of the double eternity of God and His deeds of the past
2. The seven spirits who are before His throne :
If these seven spirits are not identified here, they will be later in the book. The seven spirits are actually the seven spirits of God Rev. 3.1, 4.5, 5.6 . This unique name in Scripture can mean and refer to two things:
- the fullness of the Spirit of God
- but why not, in the fullness of its components: Isaiah 11.2
The Spirit of God, sent by all the earth, has not a weapon of persuasion to enlighten the world and convince them of what God is. He knows when and how he should speak in every situation.
3. Jesus Christ : It is presented in all 3 titles in connection with his past work:
- Jesus is the faithful witness, what he has been throughout his earthly journey towards Father: John 5,19.30, 10.30, 14.9; 17.4, and truth: John 1.17, 8.31 to 32, 14.6; 18.37
- the firstborn from the dead: that title refers to His resurrection: Acts 2.24; Colos 1.18
- the head of the kings of the earth: title that refers to His ascension followed by His enthronement the right of the Father: Psalm 110.1 , Acts 2.34, Heb 1.13
That the Godhead as a whole that must be writing the Book of Apocalypse: see Mat 28.19.
Circumstances Editorial: v 9-10
Then he was exiled to Patmos because of the Word of God and witness to Jesus that John received the revelation of Apocalypse. In presenting the condition in which it is located, we can only admire the vision and perspective through which John identifies what he saw.
Being a disciple of Jesus in this world is not to be synonymous with comfort, tranquility, but watching the entire movie of his life, a film he knows in advance, John tells us that to follow Jesus in this world is to share in 3 things:
- distress
-
perseverance - and ultimately the kingdom with Him
It may be that this definition of reading Christian life that gives us John, we do not quite grasp what he has to say. In the book of life of a Christian who wants to be faithful to Jesus in this world, John tells us that it is the same divisions as those found in the book of life of Jesus.
However, browsing the book of life of Jesus, John discerns three divisions, three components very clear summarizing the experiences of Jesus
- the first component is the component distress. If this component is part of the book that summarizes the path of Jesus in this world, we need to know, says John, it is not impossible that, one way or another, sooner or another, in ours. "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you, said Jesus. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. They will do all these things because of Me": John 15 19.21 .
- the second part of the book of life of Jesus is the persistence component. "Consider Indeed, says the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, who endured such opposition from sinners so that you do not weary soul discouraged: Hebrews 12.3. "If perseverance was the virtue that has characterized the life of Jesus, Son of God on earth, it is impossible for us who are His disciples, that word does not appear as one of the headings in the book of our lives.
- The 3rd part of the book of life of Jesus, John said, the royalty component. This is the part that closes the book, which tells the component and describes the end, the final outcome that has knew Jesus. This is the part that we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of the flap, the final triumph of Christ over sin, the world, death and the devil.
Purpose of Paper: v 7
The purpose of the book of Apocalypse is entirely contained in the first message, presented in the form of an assertion on which there is no of doubt and to be at the heart of expectation and faith of the saints, that we find in reading the book. This statement is the announcement of some coming in glory of the Lord, the last image that the Land retains is the Crucified, an event which, as was his crucifixion, is both well known and universally applicable.
God gives us, the people of God to the last hour, to tighten the promise in our hearts!
I am coming soon!
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