Introducing Jesus Love Letters to the Church
Today I’d like to introduce a new study that will take us through the letters Jesus dictated to John in the introduction to the book of Revelation. I feel led to take a closer look at these letters so that we can discern, how to live holy and godly lives as a Church and as individual children of God, in these rapidly changing times.
But before we can glean the gold from the book of Revelation, we need to understand the context and culture it was written in, and the audience to whom it was written.
Introducing Revelation
Revelation is an exciting book. It ties together OT prophesy, apocalyptic literature, NT culture and early church context. Woven through the story are codes and symbols. Out of this world creatures. Battles between angels and demons. Involving beasts and dragons with plagues and woes, torments, trials and tribulations. But it is also a story of great victory, of hope, of vindication. Not only for the Lamb of God, the Son who was slain. But for his faithful children who endure and stand firm. What is not to love about the book of Revelation. It is indeed an exciting read.
God Breathed
And yet, like all scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16
“[it is] God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
2 Timothy 3:16
Even the events behind how, when and where the book of Revelation was written is an epic story unto itself. Toward the end of the 1st Century, John, the beloved and only remaining disciple of Jesus was an old man. He had been living in Ephesus caring for Mary, the mother of Jesus, and for the growing young church as it spread from Asia Minor throughout the world. By that time in his life he was an elder, leader, encourager, teacher, guide, witness, and survivor of torture, living in exile.
By the 90s when this book was written, the church had endured decades of persecution and suffering, all the while waiting faithfully and eagerly for Jesus to return. But even though they saw Jesus prophetic words, recorded in Matthew 24:3-14, come to life in the world around them, still, Jesus had still not returned. The faithful were calling out and asking, “What’s going on?”
In response, Jesus appeared to John in a vision and took him to heaven revealing what was happening from heaven’s perspective. Jesus gave a message to the church in John’s time, using a language they would have easily understood in their own language. To see… to have the confidence, that despite everything that was happening, Jesus was still on the throne, He had a plan, and in the end, He was still victorious.
Context and Culture
Mad Emperor
So, what was going on politically?
At the time, the emperor Domitian was in power (81-96). His father Vespasian and brother Titus were the ones who finally conquered Jerusalem, put down the constant Jewish revolts and destroyed the Temple in 70AD.
Domitian, who more than likely killed his brother, was the ruler who strengthened the economy, expanded the border defences of the empire and initiated a massive building program to restore Rome after it burned during Nero’s reign. However, it is recorded that he was a narcissistic psychopath who considered himself above the law: he purged the senate, banned free speech and officially declared himself “Dominus et Deus”—Lord and God.
It was a terrifying time to be a citizen of Rome, and even more so for those who would not bow down and worship him. Domitian’s paranoia was both famous and frightening. No one was safe. He was equally feared and hated for his cruel and paranoid dictatorship.
Public Hatred
So, what was going on religiously?
Originally, the Romans tolerated the Jews because they were a closed sect. At the beginning, Christians were also ignored because they came under the Jewish umbrella. But when Jews rejected Christianity, and Jewish Christians were expelled from synagogues, they were on their own. And things only got worse when they started sharing their beliefs and converting others to the Christian faith. No longer were they a closed sect, they were seen as a dangerous plague infecting the status quo.
The main problem lay in the command to be “holy” or as we see it today “set apart”. At the time of the Roman Empire, it meant, “to be different”. Sadly, humanity has never dealt well with “Different”. And everything the faithful Christian did was different: they lived differently, interacted with others differently, practiced their religion differently, they even ate differently.
Added to this, it seemed, at its heart, the Christian life not only contrasted paganism, but it also condemned and disapproved it. Even if they were silent, by their actions, Christians demonstrated their criticism and rejection of paganism through their radical view toward human life.
If they had slaves, they were treated kindly and not as disposable possessions. The Christian would refuse to abandon weak or unwanted babies in the woods to die. Chastity and faithfulness in married life was also an uncompromising calling. And possibly worst of all was the refusal to worship the many gods of their time thereby asserting they didn’t exist. This attitude, above everything else, marked them, not only as different, but as “enemies of the human race.”
Social Pariahs
What was going on socially?
To complicate the situation, Christians were seen as rude, boorish and discourteous because they would not attend meals in honour of pagan gods. Or festivals and celebrations held in temples of gods. This rejection of idolatry also made work-life difficult for the early Christian, because so much of trade and craftsmanship were for pagan temples, pagan practices and/or pagan ceremonies. It wasn’t long before people started hating Christians and their persecution was celebrated.
Not all bad
However not all Christians were persecuted or suffered… at all. Those living in the bigger, cosmopolitan cities were able to fit in without too much of a worry. In fact, often, they fitted in much like we do today. They could go about their business, live out their lives and simply blend into the larger cultural environment. This wasn’t a problem… until it was. When it meant they lived a watered down, compromised version of their faith and they stopped fulfilling the command to be holy: to be “different”.
John wrote to seven churches that represented all churches. The issues addressed in these letters were issues that could be found in churches across the board. Jesus’ letters would be a comfort to some and distinct discomfort for others of its contemporary audience. However, as we look back at the historic and cultural context of the 1st century AD, we can see many similarities to the 21st Century. Meaning, the message of Revelation has relevance for us today. Christians in every era can take both, warning—that persecution is real—and encouragement—that its end is promised.
Drawing similarities and encouragement
So, how is this relevant to us? We read in Revelation 4:8
Each of the four living creatures … Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
Revelation 4:8
One thing we know, we can be absolutely 100% confident in, is that Jesus our Lord and Savour will come again. Just like the first C believers, we can take that to the bank.
When? We don’t know. To help his disciples better understand this, Jesus said in Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:36-44
We know our Lord is coming. Guaranteed. We just don’t know when.
But wait, there’s more
Another thing we know and can be confident in, is that persecution is, and/or will become, a significant part of following Christ. It was a reality for our Lord himself, from the day he was born, persecution and suffering hounded him and all those who choose to follow. It has been recorded throughout history, both in and out of Scripture, the faithful suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Just like the 1st Century AD, all around the world today, there are many whose lives are forfeit the moment they declare or profess the name, Christian. Whilst there are others whose lives are not negatively impacted at all. However, there is no guarantee this “life of ease” will last. In fact, the opposite is true.
Last week Lee challenged us with the question, “Who is our Shepherd? Whom do we follow?” Lee reminded us, if our answer is Jesus, then not only will He ensure we have all that we need—when we need it. We also know He will also ensure we are still standing throughout the time of persecution and testing. That we are still standing faithful when He comes again. That we are not among the many that will fall away.
I often here of people praying for revival. And so, we should. But the picture Jesus painted in Matthew 24: 10-11 is of
“many turning away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
Stand Firm
If we want to be among those standing firm until the end, we need to begin with revival… true, life-altering, focus-shifting, perspective-shaking revival… in our own lives first. To be confident. To have our foundations secure in the truth and His Word. So, as we pray for revival, let us also, or perhaps even more importantly, pray for personal revival.
In this way, our testimony of the good news of Jesus, our obedience in being “different” and “standing apart”, our confidence and peace in the times of trial, will not only draw others to the love and truth of Jesus, but we will ensure we are counted among the faithful in the end.
Jesus is coming. So too is persecution.
Jesus is with us. So too is hope.
Jesus is the answer. So too is our humble obedience and steadfast commitment to stand firm.
5. So What
We are not in unchartered waters.
When all these things happen, we should not be surprised. God isn’t. Whilst the Son may not know the hour of his return. The Father knows. Whilst we may face enemies—Seen and Unseen—we are not alone. Whilst we may see brothers and sisters fall in the battle, we know who wins the war.
Revelation is a message of hope. Despite what’s going on. Despite the trials, tribulations and torments we face, God is on the throne. Even in the midst of apparent darkness and loss, He is still all powerful, all loving and ever present.
So why doesn’t he stop it? Why doesn’t He do something about it? Why doesn’t He come now and end it?
Because this is not His hour.
Why won’t he tell us?
Because He has deemed, we don’t need to know.
What do we know?
2 Peter 3:10-12
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
We know…
- The lord is coming
- That day will be like a thief
- The heavens will disappear
- The elements will be destroyed
- Earth and everything done in it will be laid bare
- And our response to all of this? Is to live holy and godly lives.
In other words, regardless of what is going on, we have our instructions: To live holy and godly lives. What does that look like?
The Amplified Version says it like this:
in holy behaviour [that is, in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as a believer] and in godliness [displaying profound reverence toward our awesome God]
When things are good and easy, we live holy and godly lives. When things get uncomfortable and we begin to be singled out because of whom we follow, we live holy and godly lives. When we are discriminated against, maligned and sidelined, we live godly and holy lives. When we are persecuted, jailed and our lives—or the lives of our loved ones—are threatened, we live godly and holy lives.
I believe that as we study Jesus’ letters in the book of Revelation, we will have the perfect example of how to do this, now as we are comfortable and at ease in the world, and later when we are not.
