The lampstands are mentioned in the initial part of the 'letter' in Chapter 1, Hekuran @Hekuran
Interestingly, so are most of the other opening lines, to each Church, as in, they are mentioned in the latter part of Chapter 1.
it's all very interesting. And yes, I agree that we find much reference in/to the Scriptures (Old Testament)
One thing i am most sure of is, that the LORD God knew what He was dong in instructing John to write to the Churches.
While it might be of practical use for us, all these years later, it would have certainly been of importance to the Churches when they were sent them.
What you wrote is very much going along the lines of what the Thread question is about... how did they understand it? ...especially given the things written expressly to them?
Do you think the Keys of David part (Revelation 3:7) would be in some manner something to do with the mention of keys in Chapter 1?
@Garee Garee, the mention of ethnicity i made was partly for the sake of what had been previously noted regarding the majority of the members of the Seven Churches were almost definitely Gentiles but as Brad @Brad Huber pointed out, there would have been Jews who had moved there due to fleeing persecution as well as perhaps some who had already relocated for whatever reasons people do... but my earlier point (sorry i am not all that good at being all that clear) is/was that the Book of Revelation may well have been written to Gentiles (predominantly) who one might say, did not have to go study the whole of the Jewish Law, Torah etc in order to get a glimpse of the Gospel in its entirety, even if maybe more a spiritual letter or communication, parable sort of message.... that if we begin to look at the book from this perspective, rather than, as Hekuran pointed out...
@JerryfromMass Jerry, it might have been possible for them to do a synod sort of thing and quite possibly they did but it also might have been a little difficult to get to see each other that much due to the hilly terrain and who knows what settles/limits country folk from going to far... yet at the same time, it may have been more a direct instruction for each Church, not so much for consolation as for necessary attention and action needed by each Church? Either way, given the content we have looked at (if you managed to read through it all ) how would they have understood the Book/letter? What might have 'stood out' for them? How might it have helped them with their present and ongoing yet to eventuate in their face situation?
@B-A-C
Brother, Yes, possibly... and if what Jerry said regarding a synod was the case, they certainly would have reason to examine themselves also to check their six in regards to how and what their hearts and attitude was towards the Lord and His Promise/Covenant. They didn't have time to wait until later but needed to undertake an urgent field strip in the light of the message sent by John. Thank you for pointing out the connection with the Letter to the Ephesians.
Bless you all ....><>
Interestingly, so are most of the other opening lines, to each Church, as in, they are mentioned in the latter part of Chapter 1.
it's all very interesting. And yes, I agree that we find much reference in/to the Scriptures (Old Testament)
One thing i am most sure of is, that the LORD God knew what He was dong in instructing John to write to the Churches.
While it might be of practical use for us, all these years later, it would have certainly been of importance to the Churches when they were sent them.
What you wrote is very much going along the lines of what the Thread question is about... how did they understand it? ...especially given the things written expressly to them?
Do you think the Keys of David part (Revelation 3:7) would be in some manner something to do with the mention of keys in Chapter 1?
@Garee Garee, the mention of ethnicity i made was partly for the sake of what had been previously noted regarding the majority of the members of the Seven Churches were almost definitely Gentiles but as Brad @Brad Huber pointed out, there would have been Jews who had moved there due to fleeing persecution as well as perhaps some who had already relocated for whatever reasons people do... but my earlier point (sorry i am not all that good at being all that clear) is/was that the Book of Revelation may well have been written to Gentiles (predominantly) who one might say, did not have to go study the whole of the Jewish Law, Torah etc in order to get a glimpse of the Gospel in its entirety, even if maybe more a spiritual letter or communication, parable sort of message.... that if we begin to look at the book from this perspective, rather than, as Hekuran pointed out...
and by so doing, we might even learn a bit more in fellowship with one another about what God had in mind when directing John to write and send the book/epistle to the Seven Churches... if He be willing, that is, and we have ears enough to hear. Thank you for your input, though... you made some very important points for those who might see them.
@JerryfromMass Jerry, it might have been possible for them to do a synod sort of thing and quite possibly they did but it also might have been a little difficult to get to see each other that much due to the hilly terrain and who knows what settles/limits country folk from going to far... yet at the same time, it may have been more a direct instruction for each Church, not so much for consolation as for necessary attention and action needed by each Church? Either way, given the content we have looked at (if you managed to read through it all ) how would they have understood the Book/letter? What might have 'stood out' for them? How might it have helped them with their present and ongoing yet to eventuate in their face situation?
Yes, most probably, or else how else would faith come? However, and i do think this potentially feasible, the Apostles had all but been killed off and the reality of Apostle Paul coming or writing to them, for example, and probably Barnabas, also, even Mark or Luke.... but is it that the LORD God wanted to get a message of extreme importance to them, an Apostolic Letter and so He instructed John to do so? If so, how were they to understand it? Again, The LORD God knew what He was doing so He must have had more than our interest in mind?
@B-A-C
Brother, Yes, possibly... and if what Jerry said regarding a synod was the case, they certainly would have reason to examine themselves also to check their six in regards to how and what their hearts and attitude was towards the Lord and His Promise/Covenant. They didn't have time to wait until later but needed to undertake an urgent field strip in the light of the message sent by John. Thank you for pointing out the connection with the Letter to the Ephesians.
Bless you all ....><>
