Reblogged as part of the “Tough Issues of Christianity” series.
Perhaps Jesus’ best know sermon is knows as The Sermon on the Mount.
This sermon contains what are known as The Beatitudes.
| The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3″Blessed are the poor in spirit, 11″Blessed… |
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Have you ever pictured heaven in your mind, wondering what it might look like? We get a glimpse of heaven from John in Revelation 4:
| The Throne in Heaven 1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. (Revelation 4:1-3) |
This just begins the symbolism in Revelation 4. The picture shows what a marvelous and mysterious place heaven seems to be. To fully understand what John is describing we need to understand two things:
1. Heaven is far outside of our realm of human experience. Just as we can’t understand the mind of God, neither can we really describe something that is so far outside our senses, language and experience. So John uses the term “like” often in his descriptions. He’s trying to give us a picture using words and images we can understand.
Pastor Michael uses this example of trying to explain something that is outside of our experience. Let’s say you are describing the color blue to a middle-aged person who has been blind from birth. You can describe it in many ways… the softness of a clear blue sky, the emotions often associated with blue or even the scientific wave-length of blue light. Yet, this person still will not be able to “see” the color blue as a sighted person would. It is completely outside of their realm of experience. In the same way, the picture accompanying this blog immediately shows what we might think of a really far out visions of heaven, the scene John is describing as well as he can.
2. Once again John’s symbolism can be more fully understood within the context of the whole Bible. Some of the words and symbols used are references to other scripture. We’ll dig into these as we progress the rest of the way through Revelation.
| After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. (v 1a) |
This is the third reference to a door in Revelation. The other two are found in Chapter 3:
| I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. (Revelation 3:8) |
This is the “door of opportunity.” God has made a way for all of us if we choose to take it. No one, not even satan, can close this door.
| Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20) |
This door opens to the heart. Jesus wants us to invite Him into our hearts to share an intimate personal relationship with Him. Again, this is a choice for each of us.
This third reference can be described as the “door of revelation.” (Note the small “r.” The entire Bible is a book of the revelation of God and His plan for us.) Via John’s vision, we will get a glimpse of what is to come. Figuratively speaking, this doorway will open to all of us with Jesus’ Second Coming.
“speaking to me like a trumpet” (v. 1) This is a “like” statement that is easy to understand. God is not speaking in a “still, small voice.” It is resounding, attention grabbing, like the trumpet of a herald announcing the arrival of arrival of royalty. We’ve seen “like” statements before. an excellent example can be found in Mark 1:10:
| Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. |
Here we also see heaven opening to us humans.
Jesus gives us a promise that we will see into heaven in John 1:51:
| “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (spoken to Nathanael) |
This in turn refers back to Jacob’s Ladder in Genesis 28:12:
| He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. |
See how this amazing Book ties it all together! The Bible is one Book, one Story. Recognizing that sure helps us to demystify Revelation.
This study of Revelation 4:1-3 will continue with “The Throne of Heaven.”
My thanks to Pastor Michael and the faithful members of the Men on the Grow Bible study group.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art 
Alive in the Word
Each week a group of faithful men meets for Bible Study and fellowship. Under the guidance of Pastor Michael, we are now studying the Book of Revelation. This blog series is based on my notes with some supplemental information from these weekly meetings. Listed below are all the blogs written (so far) in this series.
My heartfelt thanks to Pastor Michael and the Men on the Grow Bible Study Group.
The break in this series of blogs will be filled in as I have time.
Thank you for visiting. To keep up with this series, you can subscribe for an e-mail notification of any updates. Check the link at the top of this page.
Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
This is the final segment of my notes from a weekly study of the Book of Revelation covering the Church at Laodicea. For prior segments see:
“I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22, Bible Study)
and
“I am rich and do not need a thing” – Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22, Bible Study)
“Those whom I love I rebuke” (Rev. 3:19-22, Study)
| 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:19-22) |
v. 20a “Here I am!” Notice that exclamation point. We don’t have to seek Jesus. He’s already here, waiting for us to welcome Him. He implores us to turn around from our worldly view to a heavenly view. When we turn around (repent) we will find Him waiting with open arms. He reinforces this by saying “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (v 20b) Again, notice that in the attached picture there is no outside latch on the door. It must be opened from the inside. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, always ready, but no willing to force Himself in. With God, grace is always ready and available.
Dining together during the time of Jesus and the 1st century was not just a casual thing. Think of how often Jesus was chastised for eating with sinners. Paul confronted Peter about this when Peter refused to eat with gentiles (the uncircumcised). (See: Paul Opposes Cephas, Galatians 2:11-21.) Jesus so wants that intimate, personal relationship with each of us. He wants to know us.
In Biblical times, to “know” a person often meant sexual intimacy. The meaning here is different. It means a complete intimacy, a “becoming one” with Jesus. When we ponder that, it becomes even more intimate than a sexual relationship.
v. 21 Those who do repent will join Jesus in Heaven.
v.22 “Whoever has ears, let them hear…” Jesus speaks to each of us, even today. As shown below, we all come to Jesus from different places and in different ways. We have to listen for and to His voice.
May none of us be “lukewarm” for Jesus. Amen!
My thanks to Pastor Michael and the faithful members of the Men on the Grow Bible study group.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
Alive in the Word
This is a continuation of my notes from a weekly study of the Book of Revelation covering the Church at Laodicea. For prior segments see:
“I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22, Bible Study)
and
“I am rich and do not need a thing” – Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22, Bible Study)
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:19-22)
Jesus is exercising “tough love.” If He didn’t love, He wouldn’t care. For the Laodiceans He is condemning their indifference, their apathy. Earlier in the letter He had called them “lukewarm.” Today their response might be “whatever.” John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said “It is easier to convert a secularist than to heat up an apathetic Christian.”
Jesus sought people who were passionate about what they were doing. It made no difference if they were on the right path or the wrong one. People who were passionate were like clay that could be molded. Those who were apathetic were more like a fired pot, difficult to change. Two examples of passionate people who started out on or took the wrong path were the Apostles Paul and Peter. Paul shaped the Christian Church after his conversion. Peter was “the rock” upon which Jesus built His church.
The church in Laodicea had gotten off to a very good start. Then the Laodicenas had become indifferent. The Laodiceans had become very wealthy, comfortable and believed themselves to be self-sufficient. (See: Tale of the Tel: Laodicea for a discussion of Laodicea at the time Revelation was written.) As it says in Hebrews 6:4-6:
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
How often do you see this applying to people today? As it says in 1 Timothy 6:10:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The Laodiceans did love their money.
This portion of the Bible Study on the Church at Laodicea will conclude with the segment “Here I am!”
My thanks to Pastor Michael and the faithful members of the Men on the Grow Bible study group.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
Alive in the Word
Note: The picture at the top of this blog is entitled “The Light of the World” by Holman Hunt. There is no latch on the outside of the door.
This is Part 2 of our study of the Letter to the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) For the first part of this study see “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22, Bible Study).
These quotes are from the NIV.
v. 17 “You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” This reminds us of Jesus stringent requirements of the Rich Young Man to dispose of his wealth in order to follow Jesus. (See: Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30). In many cases, Jesus did not seem to impose this requirement on those who were wealthy. Why here?
Jesus knew this young man’s heart. He knew that the worldly possession came before being a servant. The same had clearly become the case with the Loadiceans. They were proud of their worldly achievements and possessions. It was “theirs” to use as they pleased and they did not want to be beholden to or give credit to anyone else for these things… either Rome or God.
In the second part of this passage, Jesus rebukes them for placing their temporal, earthy things above heavenly, eternal wealth. “…you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” refers directly to those things that made the city of Laodicea successful and wealthy. (See: Tale of the Tel: Laodicea) Jesus also said “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25).
v. 18 “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” This verse refers directly to the three things that made Loadicea so successful, their wealth, textile industry and an eye salve.
The gold refined in fire would be pure gold, referring to the purity of Jesus.
The white clothes refers to several things, all related to purity. One is the whiteness of Jesus clothing at the Transconfiguration. another is the wedding garments required at the wedding banquet (a parable).
Although Laodicea was famous for its eye medicine, particularly an eye salve, they were blind to the ways of heaven on earth. “Let he who has eyes see.”
v. 19-20 19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Jesus still expressed His love for the Laodiceans and His desire for them to return to Him. He did not reject them. The image of dining with someone was that of intimacy in the ancient world. Jesus wanted this personal, intimate relationship with them, just as He does with us today.
In our materialistic world, we have become very much like the Christians address in this letter to Laodicea. We are proud of our accomplishments and possessions and treat them as strictly our own. We are, along with the Laodiceans, being rebuked to placing ourselves above taking care of others. Remember the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:312-46).
We will conclude our study of the Letter to Laodicea next week.
My thanks to my rabbi, Pastor Michael, and the faithful brothers of the Men on the Grow Bible Study group.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word
The church in Laodicea in Asia Minor was addressed in the seventh and last letter to the churches in Revelation.
| 14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (revelation 3:14-22, KJV) |
Here I quote the KJV because of the strength of some of the language. For a comparison to a contemporary translation see: To the Church in Laodicea, Rev. 3:14-22 (NIV).
The letter to Laodicea is tied directly to the history of the city. For a review of this history, see: Tale of the Tel: Laodicea
The Laodiceans received only harsh rebuke from Jesus and no praise. Because of this rebuke and Jesus’ reference to the Laodicean chruch as being “lukewarm.” this is the most recognized letter to the seven churches found in Revelation. The city of Laodicea had become extremely wealthy and decadent. Because of this wealth they believed themselves to be completely independent, requiring the support of neither Rome nor God. When the city was destroyed by an earthquake c. 60 AD it was rebuilt by the local merchants. They refused the assistance of Rome.
In the same way, the Christians in Laodicea credited themselves with their prosperity. They believed themselves to be in control of everything they needed. Due to their wealth, the attitude was “If I need it, I’ll buy it.”
The letter to the church in Laodicea is full of references to scripture, both Old Testament and New Testament, and to the things that had made the city successful. (For the history of Laodicea, see: Tale of the Tel: Laodicea A large portion of the Christians in the Laodicean church would have had Jewish backgrounds. They would have been quite familiar with scripture.
In this discussion, quotes are taken from the NIV. Compare these quotes with the KJV quote of the entire passage.
v. 14a “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:” The angel would have been the “guardian angel” of the Laodicean church. During the age of the writing of Revelation, it was believed that each congregation, church or synagogue, had a specific guardian angel. Many today believe that each believer is also assigned a guardian angel.
v. 14b “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,” We commonly think of “Amen” meaning “So be it” and conclude prayer with that word. It also means “truth” and “truth with finality.” God’s truth, His promises, are made final in Jesus Christ. (See: Isaiah 65:16)
v. 14c “the ruler of God’s creation.” The Son of God was also there at the beginning. He is a witness to the creation and, being the Word of God, is the creator! Note the differences between the KJV and the NIV.
v. 15-16 “15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. Those in the Laodicean church knew what was expected of them, but they did not follow Christ’s teachings with fervor. They had become too comfortable, content in their successes, their wealth. Just as they did not rely on Rome to rebuild their city following an earthquake, neither did they see the need to rely on God. God, as the Creator of all things, is also the Owner of all things. The Laodiceans took credit where the credit belonged to God. They were building up their worldly treasures, not their heavenly ones.
Note again the changes in wording between the NIV and the KJV. The word “spue” literally means to “vomit.” The indifferent, lukewarm actions of the Laodiceans made Jesus sick.
This portion of the study will continue with Part 2.
My thanks to my rabbi, Pastor Michael, and the faithful men of the “Men on the Grow” Bible Study group for these insights.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
Alive in the Word
The city of Laodicea was home to the seventh church addressed in the Book of Revelation. As with the other six churches, specific references were made to the geography, commerce and the culture of the city. Paul’s letters 1 Corinthians, Colossians and 1 Timothy also mention or reference the city. Colossians references a letter from Paul to Laodicea that has been lost. Some Biblical scholars believe that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians may actually have been addressed to the Laodiceans.
Laodicea was founded c.260 BC by the Seleucid king, Antiochus II, Theos, who named it for his wife Laodice. The city was originally established as a fortress to protect a major east-west trader route through the Meander Valley. It quickly grew to be a very wealthy city because of its woolen clothing, banking (particularly money exchange) and medicine (particularly a salve used for eye care.) Each of these is referenced directly in the letter to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3.
The city itself was located some distance, roughly 4 miles, from a dependable water supply. The water supply was from a calcium laden hot springs. It was transported to Laodicea in clay pipes that became clogged by the calcium. (See picture at the top.) Periodic openings covered with flat stones, much like modern manholes, they provided for cleaning the deposits from the clay pipes. By the time the water arrived at the city it was no longer hot, but tepid… or lukewarm.
The clothing manufactured in Laodicea was woven from an unusual black wool from the flocks in that area. The salve, claimed to be a cure-all for eye problems (can you say “snake-oil?), became so famous that eye doctors in Laodicea even had coins struck with their images.
As with modern-day Turkey, this entire area suffered from frequent devastating earthquakes. Most of the city was destroyed by an earthquake c. 60 AD. The city was so wealthy that it refused assistance from Rome to rebuild it.
Laodicea quickly became a center for Christianity in the Roman Province of Asia. It was here that the canon (approved books) of the Bible was completed in 361 AD.
The lack of dependable clean water led to the eventual decline of Laodicea. All that remains today are ruins. Much of the ancient city has yet to be excavated.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word
Thyatira is the fourth of the seven churches addressed in letters in Chapters 2 & 3 in the Book of Revelation. As the world would see it, Thyatira would have been the least significant of the seven cities, yet it received the longest of the seven letters.
Thyatira’s founding and strategic importance
Following the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was broken into four parts, each ruled by one of his generals. One of these, Seleucus I, established the state of Pergamum in 282 BCE. Thyatira, which means “the citadel or fortress of Thya’, was built as a first line of defense for the larger cities of Ephesus and Pergamum further to the west. The city itself would not have been worth fighting for. Instead, it was garrisoned by guerrilla type forces who would fight a delaying action while the western cities prepared to defend themselves against any invading force. Archaeological evidence shows that the city changed hands between Pergamean and Syrian rule. Thyatira, therefore, did not grow like the western cities.
Thyatira fell to the Romans in 190 BCE and became first part of the Pergamean Kingdom and then part of the province of Asia. In 133 BCE, the king of Pergamum willed his kingdom to Rome. What followed was an era of peace and prosperity.
Thyatira’s commerce and trade
Under Roman control, Thyatira derived its strength and wealth from being in a central place for communications. Archaeology has turned up many Thyatiran coins indicating a thriving commercial system. The city was also a thriving center of manufacturing things such as wool, linen, leather and bronze; also potters, tanners, bakers, slavers and dyers. Thyatira was also a producer of “purple dye,” highly valued by royalty. While the purple dye of the western cities came from oysters, the Thyatrian dyes came from a purple flower, producing a unique dye that was a bit redder than the others.
Lydia, one of the Apostle Paul’s first gentile converts to Christianity, came from Thyatira:
| One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Pauls message. (acts 16:140 |
Guilds
Guilds were associations of craftsmen who banded together to both protect and expand their particular craft. There were more guilds in Thyatira than in any other city in the area. They served a number of different commercial purposes.
First, they protected the skill and knowledge of the particular craft. The technology of producing purple dye, for example, was closely protected within the guild.
Second, they protected their markets. Different guilds formed alliances with one another and would trade only with those belonging to their “brother” guilds. Those who were not in a guild had no chance of developing a market for their trade.
Third, each guild also had a “patron” pagan god. A very active social practice was to hold festivals, often drunken affairs and even orgies, to celebrate these gods. It was truly a “good time at the guild hall.”
This presented a huge problem for Christians. In order to succeed as a craftsman, they had to belong to a guild. But belonging to a guild meant worshiping pagan gods and engaging in sexual immorality. These, along with eating foods sacrificed to pagan gods, were the complaints the Spirit waged against the church at Thyatira.
The significance of this and the letter addressed to Thyatira in Revelation will be explored in another blog in The Revelation Study Series.
Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word
Addendum:
Ancient Thyatira is the modern Turkish city of Akhisar, which means “white castle.” (No, not from the hamburger joint, but the fortress built there in 290 BCE)
The city is believed to be Greek in its origins, not Phoenician. It lies some 50 Miles (80 km) from the Mediterranean Sea. The “purple dye” manufactured there was from plants, not the shell-fish used by the Phoenicians.
Guilds probably did not originate there, but because of the wide variety of trades practiced there Thyatira had more guilds than any other city in the Roman Asia province. This proved to be a tremendous challenge to Christians in the city. This is addressed in the letter to the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2. I’ll speak more to this in a blog in the Revelation Series.
Paul met Lydia while in Philippi, but she was from Thyatira. This demonstrates that women could hold important business positions in Thyatira. Lydia would almost certainly have been associated in some way with the dyers guild in order to be a business success.
It is possible that Paul and Silas visited Thyatira during Paul’s second and/or third journeys, although this is not certain. They are known to have visited several smaller cities in the area during these journies.
This blog is part of an ongoing series based on my notes from a weekly Bible Study. For all of the blogs in this study, see: A Study of the Book of Revelation: Index of Blogs
Shalom, Art
A Study of the Book of Revelation 