Pergamum - Rumor notes 8

 

#3 Pergamum

To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: (Revelation 2:12)

I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Revelation 2:13)

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:14-16)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

The focal point in this message is the power of words. What is contrasted here is the difference between the clear words of truth compared to alternatives as illustrated in the life of Balaam as well as the subtle deceptive words in the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Repent means to change the way we think. This change is not simply updating or improving our systems and paradigms. It is a radical conversion, a metamorphosis of how we perceive reality on a macro scale, how things operate, relate and the very fundamentals that affect motivation.

The sword of Jesus is the words of truth so keen they cannot be avoided. They are the light that causes judgment, thus the sword of judgment. This is not the kind of sword of justice the world imagines it to be involving imposed punishments, but rather the exposing of everything hidden in order to vindicate God's system of natural principles based on cause and effect as being the government of love.

Balaam was extremely adept at using words to evade the truth while desperately seeking to appear loyal to God. We can learn much more from the story of Balaam than we have so far.

Connecting Threads

#1 Ephesus

I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

Testing, Suffering, Fear

#1 you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.

#2 the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days.

#3 there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise

Persevering, Faithful

#1 You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary.

#2 Be faithful to death

#3 You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith

Coming to you

#1 Repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.

#3 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.

#4 Nevertheless, hold firmly that which you have, until I come.

What is the teaching of Balaam?

(see Balaam's Gospel)

Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)

It is extremely important to be very clear about how Jesus makes war. If we allow any presumptions to confuse us on this point we will remain infected with the lies of the enemy that constitutes the poison of his slander against God which lies at the very center of the war. This is a key factor throughout Revelation – motives and methods.

There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. They didn't prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)

This war involves words, not physical altercations or assaults. The war in heaven is entirely over God's reputation and credibility that has been cast in doubt by the angel Lucifer. Michael stood up to Lucifer to counter his insinuations that were undermining God's government of love and continues to this day.

I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues, (Revelation 18:4)

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called "The Word of God." The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, "Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great." I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army. The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:11-20)

Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says Yahweh of Armies." (Zechariah 4:6)

The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

(John 10:10-11)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;

(Romans 8:2-6)

but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; in pureness, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

(2 Corinthians 6:4-7)

Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you. Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:1-5)

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: (Ephesians 6:12-18)

You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:13-15)

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

This is how Jesus does warfare. He fights against the lies of Satan to defeat His tyranny of fear.

Why don't you understand my speech? Because you can't hear my word. You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you don't believe me. (John 8:43-45)

The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

Smyrna - Rumor notes 7

 

#2 Smyrna

To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: (Revelation 2:8)

I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:9-10)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won't be harmed by the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

Why would Jesus being the first and last be highly helpful to these people?

Was dead and has come to life is extremely relevant to people suffering oppression, forced poverty and persecuted by hypocrites claiming to follow God. Fear is enemy number one when in this condition and is the spirit that must be faced head on in order to have hope and courage. Facing very possible death for remaining true and loyal to Jesus requires identification with Jesus who is the author of our faith.

In each of the messages we are invited to see various ways in which to identify with Jesus in whatever area of need we experience. Identification and identity is a central component of the war every one of us are caught up in. God's identity was the first to come under attack, and because we are created to reflect His image, our identity is just as much under assault as Satan continues to insist that his slander about God can be proven true by the way we reflect Him.

From heaven's perspective things are opposite to what it often seems to us. Laodicea thinks they are rich while Smyrna feels poor.

Blasphemy can involve clinging to pagan notions of atonement to interpret the meaning of Christ's death.

A Jew is of the tribe of Judah. Satan masquerades as a lion of the tribe of Judah to save us, but his methods and spirit are opposite of the true Lion of Judah.

A synagogue of Satan would be a deceptive counterfeit of the truth. It could be authoritarian teaching for controlling the minds of others. It would be a base of false hope and doctrines that appear true but are based on fear, criticism and coercion.

They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. (John 16:2)

Ephesus - Rumor notes 6

 

I have repented. I have changed my mind. I no longer want to skim over the messages to the seven assemblies to get to the exciting things later. I don't want to waste the wonderful resources we have of collective perspective that we can bring to unpacking new and exciting insights still buried in these two chapters. I want to allow all of you to help me sift through these chapters and make new discoveries together, not just share things with you secondhand.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies. (Revelation 1:10-11, 19-20)

As we take a look at each message, let's keep this context in mind, the context of the meaning of the stars/angels, the lampstands and the reason and source for each message.

Let's use the following questions to animate the messages to the seven assemblies.

Note the repeated pattern of each message and why it might be significant. What might it be telling us?

Note the differences within the pattern and why. How is each one personalized for each assembly?

Each message relates something about Jesus from chapter one to each church. Review the description and context of those things for greater clarity.

Discuss the unique attributes or geography or culture of each place that contributes to understanding why Jesus chose the metaphors that He did.

Where is each place geographically? What stories do we know about what happened there?

If a letter was written to them, what is the flavor it might have to enhance our understanding about them?

Ephesus

To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things: (Revelation 2:1)

Where is Ephesus? What stories happened there? What is the flavor of Paul's letter to them?

Why does Jesus mention the seven stars and that they are in His right hand?

Why does He choose to mention that He is the one who walks among all the menorahs?

I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3)

Where does this fit into the repeating pattern? Jesus tries to mention positive things first before addressing complications or faults. But even positive things can sometimes be part of complicating issues that are part of problems. Yet Jesus looks for the good even when we might be abusing our gifts.

But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:4-5)

What does Jesus mean when He says He has something against someone? Has He taken offense?

Is this a threat? If so then God is operating according to the mindset of commerce, reward and punishment. But God's ways are not like our ways, so can we view this through a more advanced lens?

We can read this in the reward or punishment mentality, or we can look at it through the lens of cause and effect principles that govern all of God's creation. How can that paradigm shift alter what we find?

This can mean several things: the first one we loved, the first passion of love or the first one to love us.

The first part talks about zealous defense of beliefs, doctrines, purity of message and even who is allowed to be part of the assembly.

The second part indicates that all of this zeal is motivated by something different than the first passion of aroused love that initiated their participation in the assembly. Why is this a big problem?

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' (Matthew 7:21-23)

Were the Ephesians doing all their zealous activity in the name of Jesus but without love?

How much are we tempted to do similar things while failing to remain closely connected with love?

Does this mean the things listed at the beginning can be ignored because they became a problem?

How can love affect doing the right things in ways that causes them to be debilitating?

Persevering work, keen discernment and rejection of false teachers, unflagging endurance and allegiance to God cannot replace love. Without receiving and reflecting love we are not connected with God's heart.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works

Might this remember have something to do with the Sabbath commandment beginning with remember?

How can we remember something we never experienced? Many of us grew up in religion but never experienced a deep, passionate love experience with God. How can such people remember then?

What does it mean to repent?

Repent means a radical change/shift in the way we think and perceive, a complete paradigm shift about reality and especially about God.

Why does Jesus talk about doing the first works if works is the problem He is addressing?

What is the difference between the first works and the current works just listed at the beginning?

What is the difference between deeds or actions of one who is in love compared to one attempting to earn the affections or acceptance of another?

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

This is a rest from trying to remain in control, being defensive or attempting to earn favor. Rest from trying to produce evidence to gain God's favor. When our works have anything to do with trying to alter God's thinking about us, we are attempting to produce evidence of our own goodness rather than believing in the evidence of His works designed to convince us of His goodness (Romans 2:4) so we will rest in His unconditional love and acceptance of us. Jesus demonstrated accurately how to always rest in God's care, provision, protection, favor and will. To live in this rest is the will of God that Jesus came to model for us to emulate (1Peter 2:21-24).

Keeping Sabbath for any reason other than love elicits this same warning of danger.

I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.

Is this warning by Jesus intended to induce fear? Can that become a problem if love is what is needed to cast out fear?

References to the Second Coming are often connected with similar urgent terms. Why?

What does it mean to have a lampstand moved out of place?

If we refuse to allow the passion of the love of Jesus reignite our heart to produce fruit in good works, our heart becomes hardened and God is forced to accept our tacit decision to divorce Him. A lampstand that fails to burn is a useless decoration giving false testimony. A Christian devoid of the passion of God's love misrepresents the truth about God's heart.

But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6)

Note that God hates their deeds, not the people themselves. Yet hating the same thing God hates is not enough to be pleasing to Him. Trying to be 'right' about who are God's enemies without reflecting the passion of His love for them can make right doctrine or good behavior empty and misleading.

Several of the fathers state that they were a sect of Gnostics, who taught that Christians were not under the obligations of morality—the ‘Antinomians’ of the early Church. Nicolas, or Nicolaus, their alleged founder, is sometimes, but doubtfully, identified with the one of ‘the Seven’ who bore that name Ac 6:5. Nicolaus means (in Greek), ‘Vanquisher of the people,’ and Balsam (in Hebrew), ‘Devourer of the people.’ - [Annotated commentary].

Could this also reference the modern obsession with St. Nicholaus who is a counterfeit of Jesus?

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God. (Revelation 2:7)

To give audience, listen, give attention, understand.

The operative word here is let. Truly hearing requires more than just having an ear.

Overcomer in Hebrew = Israel. This is tied directly back to the story of Jacob and the intense struggle he had to pass through when he received his new name.

Overcoming is a major theme in Revelation. But it is also a major stumbling block for many who don't understand God's message, methods and motive. It is a central tenant of those who subscribe to the popular LGT movement today which is recycled perfectionism of the past. The focus is on getting sin out of our life before God runs out of patience. Yet the underlying problem with this mixture of light and darkness is that it is primarily motivated through intentional fear messages designed to scare people into being good. This is not what Jesus is talking about here is it?

What can we learn from Revelation about the true method and motives for overcoming?

They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:11)

I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. They also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)

To overcome relates to our false sense of identity. We need to embrace our true identity as defined by Christ that has been given to every person as a template around which to grow character. We overcome any reliance on false sources of identity or value, renounce every lie about ourselves and about God so we may reflect only His image as we become transformed into His likeness.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.

The Tree of Life represents the power connection point through which alone we may receive life. Jesus is the entry point to the only Source of energy and life, which is why He warned that we can only come to God through Him. Once we have been fully restored into harmony with God by Jesus, only then will it will be safe to touch the super-charger directly.

Meeting the Champion - Rumor notes 5

 

We are near the end of chapter 1 in Revelation where the emphasis is on meeting the Champion of the kingdom of light. This chapter is vital to understand and appreciate properly for it sets the tone for perceiving the rest of the book in its true context. This book is all about Jesus, who is all about revealing the heart of God not only to humanity but to all the universe who are involved in this great war over what God is really like.

There are a number of key words and phrases that begin in this chapter that will reappear throughout the book that need to be firmly anchored in a proper understanding of who Jesus is and how He reveals the Father. As Hebrews 1 explains, Jesus is the only reliable exposition of the truth about God in contrast to that other angel claiming to have the real scoop on God that is quite different from how Jesus reveals Him. Without this truth, attempts to understand the book of Revelation will inevitably spin out of control into wild speculations and involve mixed messages about God's motives and methods. As Jesus warned His disciples, if we don't believe the radical revelation of Jesus and resist allowing His humility and love to transform our thinking and disposition, it is because we don't know the Father or the Son.

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, 'I don't know him,' I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word." (John 8:54-55)

These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn't be caused to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:1-3)

It is vital that we become settled in the central truth that the only reliable knowledge of God comes through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The life and teachings of Jesus alone must be the standard of measure and the filter through which everything else is processed if we ever hope to begin to come into a right appreciation of the life-changing truths packed into this book. Every event, every symbol, every action and description we come across in our study of Revelation must be strictly tested by the life and words of Jesus who is the central theme of this book as we have seen in this chapter. That is why I believe it is no waste of time to spend as much attention as possible to soaking in this chapter before we launch into surveying the rest of this prophecy. Everything forward, particularly starting with chapter 4, is like getting into a roller-coaster that will take us on the ride of our life with very unexpected perspectives if we remain securely connected to viewing everything through the lens of what is found here in the first chapter.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades." (Revelation 1:17-18)

I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, "Look! Don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." (Revelation 22:8-9)

The angel before whom John fell down later two different times objected on the basis that John needed to worship God, so clearly the angel was not God. At the same time, the strong inference is that Jesus is God given that this first time John falls down to worship there is no such objection. Rather Jesus addresses John's fears knowing that fear can be a dangerous element when in the presence of the intensity of God's glory.

This issue of fear and John's need to put it away right at the beginning of the book highlights the fact that fear is a major issue throughout the book. Fear is the means whereby the enemy manipulates others into serving and worshiping him. Fear lies at the very heart of the rebellion and is the opposite of the heart of God and His ways of governing. This is why nearly every time an angel of God or God Himself shows up to communicate with humans they have to address this issue. For it is our misconceptions about God and His use of power that is at the root of all fear, and thus it is one of the main enemies that must be overcome by all who want to participate in the kingdom of Christ.

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:17-18)

I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant. Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:22-25)

Here we find again right in the very first chapter references to the major theme of salvation, that of who gets to represent humanity before God and the universe. The history of this contested issue includes the fact that our first representative came under the power of death because of surrendering his authority to the devil. Because of this he lost his authority to represent his own family because the keys of death were used by his new tyrannical slave-master to replace Adam as the one representing humans in heaven.

Now we find Jesus reassuring John that it is Jesus who now has gained full authorization to represent us in heaven and there is no danger of death interrupting that arrangement ever again. How can this be such a permanent reality? Because Jesus took full authority over death itself and took away the keys of death and the grave that Satan abused as prince of this world for so long, setting all of us free.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; (Revelation 1:19)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." (Revelation 1:10-11)