Letters to the Seven Churches Rev 2:1-3:21 “Let anyone who has an ear to hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches”

Form of the Letters Address to the angel of the church in … “These are the words of ….” An image of Christ taken from 1:9-16 “I know ….” The Risen Christ is utterly aware of their situation – good or bad The Specific grounds on which they are praised and/or challenged (only Smyrna and Philadelphia receive unqualified praise) The call to listen to the word The promise, expressed in apocalyptic terms to those who “conquer” (may also be translated as “overcome”, or “win”)

To the Church in Pergamum 2:12-17 Large city and capital of the province famed for its great altar to Zeus Also renowned as a centre of healing – Temple to Asclepius Christ who speaks: “the words of him who has the two edged sword” To the Church in Pergamum 2:12-17

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Rev. 2:12-17 NRS)

Points to Note Two edged sword: Pergamum had to the right “to the sword” i.e. to exercise capital punishment Satan’s throne: perhaps a reference to altar of Zeus or to the temples to goddess Roma or to the emperor. Holding fast to the name even in the context of persecution that cost the life of Antipas (nothing is known of this person) who is the faithful witness (used of Christ in 1:5) Balaam, a false prophet who sought to curse Israel but could not. However the Israelites worshipped the gods of the Midianites (Numbers 22-25). Nicolaitans also mentioned in 2:6.They tolerated or even promoted compromise with imperial religion. John sees no such possibility but note Paul in 1Cor 8 for a different approach to question of eating food sacrificed to idols.

To the one who Conquers… Hidden Manna – contrast with food sacrificed to idols and echoes of Jn 6:31-33 Jewish tradition reports that the Manna placed in the Ark of the Covenant was hidden by Jeremiah during the siege of Solomon’s temple (2 Mac 2:4-7) White Stone: White the colour of victory and transcendence. Stones were used as tickets for entrance into public events and festivities. The new name (Is 62:2) perhaps a reference to the believers’ identity in Christ becoming a “new creation”(2Cor 5:17) and “called by name” (Jn 10:3)

To the Church in Laodicea A wealthy city famed for banking, textiles and medicine Christ who speaks is the Amen, the faithful and true Witness A Church that is in dire need of repentance To the Church in Laodicea

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: 15 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot.16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.17 For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

Points to Note The Amen: The God of faithfulness Is 65:16 Lukewarm: City’s water supply was insipid and invoked vomiting. Yet it was so wealthy that it refused aid after a destructive earthquake in 61AD Christ’s gifts contrast with the source of their wealth. Gold refined by fire = faith and contrasts with the material wealth of the city. White robe of the new creation contrast with the luxury black wool garment for which the city is famed. Salve contrast with the city’s famous Phrygian powder (Jn 9:6)

The Invitation to Repentance Christ who is in the midst of the Churches (1:13) and calls them to repentance (metanoia) now stands on the outside seeking admission to this community. They need to hear his voice and open the door then he will enter and he will eat (supper see Lk 22:30) with them and they with him! To the one who conquers: What is offered is the supreme gift: a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne (makes sense in the light of 4:1-11) A share in Christ’s life with God: divinisation!!

The Opening Vision Seeing the letters as a penitential rite before the liturgy proper gets underway may help to actualize the content. The messages are of a time and a place and yet core issues of repentance, faithfulness and love are consistently present. The Christ who is present is the exalted divine person who is at once in the heavenly realm and yet stands with the churches in their struggle to live their faith in a context of many threats both external and internal. Having heeded the call to repentance the Churches are now in a position to understand the next outpouring of the prophetic word!