Ep. 360. Revelation 1-3 | Some Letters

EPISODE 360

SOME LETTERS: REVELATION 1-3

I will say again that we often read Revelation as if it were a different type of writing than those prophetic books of the Old Testament. I have come to the place where I am wholly convinced that Revelation reads similarly to Isaiah, with both an immediate fulfillment and a future fulfillment. I tend to land in the place where these letters to the churches are more in the immediate days of John the Revelator and less about the future days of the church. I have quit trying to figure out whether or not the believers who gather with us on Sunday are comparable to the church in Ephesus, the one in Smyrna, or even Laodicea. I tend to read them now as letters written to true and existing churches across Asia rather than spiritual representations of churches. (though I'm not opposed to that possibility as well)

I love the formulaic language in the seven letters. Here is what I like or dislike, here is who I am, here is what the overcomers will gain. Poetry or prophecy these letters are beautiful. I also like the many references these letters make to previous Biblical texts. Again, we find that a good understanding of Scripture makes these letters come more into focus more clearly than before.

ADDITIONAL READINGS: Romans 6:1-14; 1 Peter 2:5-9; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 24:30; Zechariah 12:10; Exodus 16:31-33; Isaiah 62:2; Isaiah 65:15; Romans 8:27; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 20:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5