March 18: PRESERVED FOR PRIVILEGE

Saying, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last,” and “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11

Without a pause, Jesus moves into His commission to John to write… The number seven is well-known to represent completion. At the beginning of our world, the Creator set a seventh day of rest over His work of Creation to make it perfect and complete (Genesis 2:1-4). Seven is mentioned 88 times in the New Testament, and 56 of those are in Revelation.

The seven churches were listed in the order of the mail delivery circuit in the province of Asia. But the letters were not broken up. The message addressing a particular church was meant to be heard by the other six.

In addition to this localized order, there is direct application to the history of the church as a whole over these last 2000 years: chronological periods in church history that this order reflects, showing how truth has been transmitted through the ages, in spite of the interferences of weakened loyalty, persecution, compromise, distractions, and corruption from within.  

Another possible application is to an individual church or an individual’s personal experience in the Christian walk. Therefore, it is important to understand that the message of Revelation provides a perspective for every age and time. In addition to the central theme of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, there is the pressing secondary theme of preparation for His people in anticipation of world events leading up to His return.

We must recognize the miraculous nature of the supernatural message given to John the Revelator. In his chains and lonely isolation on Patmos, how uplifting and energizing to see and hear his Lord! History records that before being sent to Patmos, John was boiled in oil. Miraculously, he was unharmed, for Jesus did not allow it! John was preserved for the privilege and blessing to be shown and to write down this amazing “disclosure.” Are we not greatly privileged and blessed to read, hear, and study it?

In summary, Revelation’s messages are universal in application. The confrontations and provocations to God’s people and the call to salvation can be found in the lives of believers in every age, to the body of Christ as a whole, and to you personally, dear reader!

For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:39