A Response: “A Biblical Guide to Revelation” — Part 2

In Part 1 of this series we very briefly looked at the Introduction to this “Biblical Guide to Revelation” (hereinafter, “Biblical Guide” or “Guide”). In this part, we’re going to address the first chapter.


Chapter 1: Who Are the Seven Churches in Revelation


Revelation 1.1-3 (CEB; adapted):[1] A revelation of Jesus [the] Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Christ made it known by sending it through his angel to his servant John, 2who bore witness to the word of God and to the witness of Jesus [the] Christ, including all that John saw. 3Favored is the one who reads the words of this prophecy out loud, and favored are those who listen to it being read, and keep what is written in it, for the time is near (emphasis added).


This is how the book of Revelation starts. But one wouldn’t know that by using this Guide as it starts with verse 4 and the “seven churches that are in Asia.” Why would it start with verse 4 instead of verse 1? Probably because the first three verses destroy a futurist[2] understanding of the Guide right from the jump. John is quite clear that the events in Revelation “must soon take place … for the time is near.” One can’t be a futurist if one takes those opening verses at face value. But futurists don’t do that. No. They’re quick to use 2 Peter 3.8 to say those statements don’t really mean what they appear to mean. I wrote an article on the misuse of that passage so I won’t go into it here. Needless to say, those words mean exactly what they mean — the things in Revelation were about to take place when the letter was written.


The Guide then states that the seven churches in Asia, “were probably literal churches, but could also be a testament to patterns we see within our churches today as we approach the end times” (page 4; emphasis added). The emphasised text points out a flaw I see a lot in eschatological studies — either negating or completely ignoring the original recipients of the letters found in the New Testament. For this Guide to work, the original audiences have to be irrelevant —  i.e., the letter can’t mean anything for them because it’s for our time (or still in the future). This view completely destroys the original intention of the letter. John plainly states that the letter was written to “the seven churches that are in Asia” (verse 4). These were literal, historic churches in Asia Minor. The fact that the things mentioned about the churches can be seen “within our churches today” is irrelevant. The letter has to mean something to the original audiences or it’s useless. One just needs to stand back for a moment and think about this to see the point. No where does John state anything like, “I know I’m addressing your assemblies but these things are not actually for you but for other churches in other cities and countries thousands of years in the future.” How absurd! Again, the letter must have meaning for the original audience or it’s meaningless. 


The Guide then turns to the individual letters written to the churches (Revelation 2-3). I won’t go into each point made but will give a general overview. Again and again, the Guide emphasizes that the problem with the churches was their walking away from “doctrinal integrity.” However, when one reads Revelation 2-3, one sees that the main issues had to do with the churches’ actions and not their beliefs. Once more we see the evangelical side of this Guide — the emphasis on “faith” over “works.” For example, regarding the assembly at Ephesus, the Guide states — 


A church that upholds doctrinal purity at the expense of showing love is just as flawed as a church that upholds congregational harmony at the expense of truthful teachings. Instead, Jesus reveals that a church fashioned in His image must teach God’s Truth in love (pg. 4).


But the letter to the followers of Jesus at Ephesus has nothing to do with “doctrinal purity.” While praising their “works … labor, and … endurance,” Jesus states that the thing against them is that they’ve “let go of the love [they] had at the first” (Revelation 2.1-7). Christ tells them to, “Change your hearts and lives and do the things you did at first” (verse 5; emphasis added). There is nothing about “doctrinal purity” here. It’s faith working through love producing good works (faithful actions), not “teach[ing] God’s Truth.”


Later, while talking about the followers of Jesus at Sardis (Revelation 3.1-6), the Guide states, “We can avoid becoming ‘the living dead’ by engaging in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.” Again, the emphasis from Christ to the assembly at Sardis is quite simple, “I know your works … [yet] your works are far from complete” (vv. 1-2). There’s nothing in this section about “Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.” While there’s nothing wrong with those things — indeed, they’re needed — the point of the letter was their “works” not their Bible study!


Click here as we turn to chapter 2 and the “rapture.”




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In the Love of the Three in One,


Br. Jack+, LC


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[1] Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations and references — and scripture quotations marked (CEB) — are taken from The Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible. Used by permission.

[2] A “futurist” is someone who believes New Testament eschatology will take place in the future.

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