Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Have you read Revelations? I am sure you have, if you are a Christian or have an interest in history. How do you understand this book? What I am asking are you reading it with modern understanding of events or are you reading this book with an understanding of the writer and events of the time it was written? A hundred years ago most people thought that people with epilepsy were possessed by the devil. We now know that the person has misfiring in the brain that causes seizures. Keeping this in mind while we look at this book and try to determine what was being said and why.

This is my take on the book and I invite you to give your opinions and thoughts. The book was written by an expatriate follower of Jesus, some 70 years after Jesus died, who wanted the movement to remain within an entirely Jewish context, as opposed to the “Christianity” just then being invented by Saul. Saul broke away from the teaching of Jesus and welcomed uncircumcised and trayf-eating Gentiles into the sect. At a time when no one quite called themselves “Christian,” in the modern sense, John is prophesying what would happen if people did. In retrospect, we can see that John stood on the cusp of an enormous change—one that eventually would transform the entire movement from a Jewish messianic sect into ‘Christianity,’ a new religion flooded with Gentiles. At the time the book was penned, this had not yet happened—not at least, among the groups John addressed in Asia Minor—he took his stand as a Jewish prophet charged to keep G*d’s people holy, unpolluted by Roman culture. So, John says, Jesus twice warns his followers in Asia Minor to beware of ‘blasphemers’ among them, ‘who say they are Jews, and are not.’ They are, he says, a ‘synagogue of Satan'. Balaam and Jezebel, named as satanic prophets in Revelation are, in this view, caricatures of “Pauline” Christians, who blithely violated Jewish food and sexual laws while still claiming to be followers of the good rabbi Yeshua. Jezebel, in particular, the name that John assigns her, is that of an infamous Canaanite queen, but she is seen preaching in the nearby town of Thyatira—suggests the women who were central to Saul’s version of the movement and anathema to a pious Jew like John. She is the original shiksa goddess. (When John accuses ‘Balaam’ and ‘Jezebel’ of inducing people to ‘eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication', he might have in mind anything from tolerating people who engage in consuming unclean animals, incest, or Jews who become sexually involved with Gentiles or worse, who marry them.) The scarlet whores and mad beasts in Revelation are the Gentile followers of Saul—and so, in a neat irony, the spiritual ancestors of today’s Protestant evangelicals. You may recall that Saul was the "deacon" or charged by himself "overseer" of the Church of Asia Minor.

So, I invite your opinions and thoughts. Please keep in mind, I intend no disrespect to Christians, I only offer an alternative from a historical prospective.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

In "The Revelation of Jesus to the Apostle John," understanding Jesus' message to each of the seven churches adds necessary and required depth to any Bible study of this last book of the Christian Bible, which was received from Jesus, and dutifully recorded by John while exiled by the Romans (95 to 97A.D.) to the rocky island of Patmos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea, in an island group called the Dodecanese.

The Apostle Paul, i.e., Saint Paul, formerly known by his native diaspora name, Sha'ul ha-Tarsi (Saul of Tarsus of Asia Minor),was a faithful apostle who had been personally commissioned by the arisen Jesus Christ ("Then the Lord Jesus said to me, 'Go! I will send you far away to teach those who are not Jewish, to the Gentiles.'" Acts 22:21). He had successfully preached the gospel of the Messiah, Jesus Christ to the first century Gentile world, and had died the death of a Christian martyr in 67 A.D. at the age of 62, at the hands of the Romans, thirty years before Jesus' Revelation was revealed to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, 95 - 97 A.D..

It is unfortunate that today, internet searches of the Biblical term, "synagogue of Satan" produce numerous links to unscrupulous sites that claim the “synagogue of Satan” refers to the entire modern Jewish people, and/or to Israel, as they falsely promote all manner of conspiracy theories against the Jews.

Any prominence the Jewish people enjoy in our contemporary world is Biblically based upon God's eternal promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all their progeny, of not only spiritual blessing and permanent ownership of their land, "Eretz Yisrael," but according to Orthodox Rabbi David Mescheloff, Ph.D. mathematics, Ph.D. Talmud, "at the beginning of Genesis chapter 24, we read: 'And Abraham was old, well stricken in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.' This was God's fulfillment of His promise to bless Abraham (the plain meaning of "to bless" in Biblical Hebrew is to give plenty of possessions)."

Today, many unscupulous Anti-Semites totally misinterpret and misapply these verses in Revelation. The "synagogue of Satan" reference was historical in context, referring to specific Jewish politically powerful religious leaders in Smyrna and Philadelphia who were persecuting the beginning Christian church.They cannot ever refer to today's Jewish population, then or now, or to Israel, just as no modern situation can be used as an interpretive tool to explain a passage firmly rooted in the first-century Roman world.

The island of Patmos came under Roman rule ca 200 B.C., and was used by them as a place of exile. The Apostle John, the last living Apostle, was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received and wrote down his vision from Jesus, "The Revelation of Jesus to John" in 95-97 A.D.. This was the last and closing book of the Christian New Testament canon. John was retained there for 15 years before being returned to Ephesus.

Chapters 2 and 3 of "Jesus' Revelation to John" contains 7 letters from Jesus to 7 churches in Asia Minor, now Turkey. Jesus addresses the spiritual health of each church: He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church in order that His future followers might be faithful to the end of the church age, at which time Jesus will claim all His own, those who "sleep," and those who are living.

As Christians today, it is important that we too check the spiritual health of our own walk with Yahweh God as each of us is guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit, while we continue to wait patiently to be raptured by our Lord Jesus, before His subsequent triumphant return to Earth.

From the faithful church of Philadelphia to the lukewarm congregation of Laodicea, Jesus, in His revelatory vision to His Apostle John, covers the cultural background and the relevant spiritual health, faithfulness and faults of each of these seven fledgling Christian churches, who chronologically, are representative of the entire period of Jesus' physical absence from them, beginning in the 1st century, after His ascension into heaven until His return for them, in the near future.

The theme of His admonishment to each of the seven churches is:

1. Ephesus: "Do Not Forsake Your First Love."
2. Smyrna: "Continue to Be Faithful."
3. Pergamum: "Repent and Stop Allowing Wrong Teaching."
4. Thyatira: "He Will Repay Each of You According To Your Deeds."
5. Sardis: "Wake Up! The Lord Will Come When You Least Expect It."
6. Philadelphia: "You Obeyed the Command to Endure Patiently."
7. Laodicea: " I Am About to Spit You Out of My Mouth."

The 2nd church, Smyrna and the 6th church, Philadelphia, are the only two for which Jesus has no rebuke, but only praise.

Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation

The synagogue of Satan is mentioned twice in Revelation, once in Jesus’ letter to the first-century church in Smyrna and once to the church in Philadelphia. In both cases, the synagogue of Satan is opposed to the mission and message of the church and was persecuting Christians, slandering the church in Smyrna and opposing the church in Philadelphia.

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said, "I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9).

To the church of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, Jesus says, "I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you" (Revelation 3:9).

The majority of the persecution came from politically powerful leaders within the Jewish community, and the Roman persecution was to appease these Jewish authorities. This was true of Pilate’s condemnation of Jesus (John 19:1–16), Paul’s imprisonment by the Roman governors Felix (Acts 24:27) and Festus (Acts 25:16). This pattern held true throughout the Roman world in the 1st century.

As long as Christians were considered a sect of Judaism, they were exempt from the required observance of certain aspects of Roman state religion. As Christians were expelled from synagogues and denounced by the Jewish leadership, Christians became open to Roman persecution.

Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. The words of Jesus to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 offer insight into the life of a 1st-century congregation.

The message was from the Lord Jesus Christ: “These are the words of Him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again” (Revelation 2:8), an identity that could only be Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:13).

Jesus acknowledged their trials: "I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9). Despite poverty, however, the church of Smyrna had spiritual wealth that no one could take away (Matthew 6:20).

As for the identity of the “synagogue of Satan,” some were Gentiles who called themselves “Jews” (i.e., the chosen people of God); self-proclaimed “people of God” who worshiped the Roman emperor and denounced the Christians in Smyrna.

Others were physically Jews who followed tradition and the Mosaic Law, yet did not know God. They were "not" Jews, lacking the faith of their father Abraham (Luke 3:8; John 8:40), and they were "of Satan," for rejecting Jesus Christ, their Messiah (John 8:44) whom God had sent. The Apostle Paul had understood that Jesus' death had been for all believers, a benefit, in accord with ancient Jewish sacrificial theology.

Jesus, as did the apostle Paul (Matthew 23; Acts 18:6), dealt with many Jewish religious leaders, whose blind zealotry for man-made Jewish rules and traditions had cost them their ability to understand the Messianic prophecies of their own prophets. Paul, a "Jew's Jew," born of the tribe of Benjamin, and a Pharisee of generations of Pharisees, differentiated “true” (spiritual) Jews from those who had only a physical connection to Abraham: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (Romans 2:28-29).

Adding weight to the latter view is the fact that Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna around A.D. 155. At Polycarp’s trial, the unbelieving Jews of Smyrna joined with the pagans in condemning him to death. Eusebius writes that “the Jews, being especially zealous . . . ran to procure fuel” for the burning (The Ecclesiastical History 4:15).

After commending the church in Smyrna for their spiritual victories, Jesus warned of coming persecution: “You are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days” (Revelation 2:10). Some of the church members would be imprisoned, and this wave of persecution would last for ten days. However, Jesus gives hope to His church: “Do not be afraid,” He says. The Smyrnan believers would have the courage to face the trial (Matthew 5:11-12).

Jesus calls them to remain faithful in their suffering: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). This same “martyr’s crown” is mentioned in James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Jesus makes a final promise to the believers in Smyrna: “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). The overcomers, or “conquerors,” refers to all believers (1 John 5:4-5). The second death is a reference to the final judgment of the wicked (Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8). Believers' sin was judged at the cross, and, in Christ, there is no more condemnation (Romans 8:1).

The synagogue of Satan say they are Jews (people who had been chosen of God), and yet they persecute those Jews who believe in Jesus the Jewish Messiah, while claiming to be the only “true” Jews, and that is why Jesus calls them “liars.” This distinction between ethnic Jews and faithful Jews is also seen in Romans 9:6 (“Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel”) and Romans 2:28–29 (“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter”). By their persecution of those who had recognized Jesus as both God and Messiah, these unbelievers had become a synagogue of Satan—a small congregation of the misguided who had chosen to follow the devil’s priorities.

Both Smyrna and the Philadelphia churches are promised victory over the synagogue of Satan. This promise echoes Isaiah 60:14: “The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet.” In the context of Isaiah 60, an oppressed Jerusalem will be vindicated. Those who oppress her will bow down at her feet and will have to admit that she is indeed blessed by God. In Revelation 2 - 3, in a striking role reversal, oppressing Jews bow down at the feet of the persecuted Church (worshiping Jews and Gentiles within it) and admit that God loves them.

Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation"

Revelation 3:7-13 records Christ’s message to the sixth of the seven churches addressed in Revelation 2 – 3. The Philadelphian church is the recipient of this letter. Philadelphia was a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) on the Imperial Post Road, an important trade route.

The message is from the Lord Jesus Christ: “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write . . .” (Revelation 3:7). This was not John’s personal message to these believers; it was a message from the Lord, Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as “Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” This description of Jesus emphasizes His holiness, His sovereignty, and His authority. The reference to the key of David is an allusion to the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 22:22. Jesus is the one who opens and shuts, and no one can deny Him.

Jesus affirms the church’s positive actions: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). The church of Philadelphia had remained faithful in the face of trial. Because of this, the Lord promises them an "open door" of blessing.

Jesus’ letter then condemns the enemies of the Philadelphian believers: “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you” (Revelation 3:9). The church of Philadelphia would be victorious over its enemies.

Jesus encourages the Philadelphian believers: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:10-11). The church’s faithful endurance would serve as a blessing. Jesus would take them to be with Him before the coming tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The rapture is an event distinct from the second coming of Christ. The Philadelphians are promised to be preserved from the time of the tribulation corresponding with the Scriptural pretribulation rapture.

The church is called the bride of Christ. The wicked women in the Bible each represent some facet of false religion and spiritual harlotry as did Jezebel of the age of Elijah. Rev.2:20 is speaking of an actual woman, a false worshiper who calls herself a prophetess, a teacher; one of power and influence in Thyatira symbolically reminiscent of “Jezebel” in her idolatry.(2 Kings 9-10). She corrupted and harassed the church in that city, as Jezebel did to Israel.

A similar warning in Revelation 2:14-15 references Balaam, a prophet in Israel who placed stumbling blocks before worshipers: "who eat things sacrificed to idols, and who commit sexual immorality"(Isaiah 54:5).

In this modern world of encroaching paganism and cultural persecution, Jesus' words of encouragement continue to serve His universal Body of faithful believers today.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

I could have cheerfully written several more pages, but was not allowed to write another word, because of the "space" allotment allowed, so I somewhat short changed my response to the Jezebel and Balaam references.

In Revelation 2:14, Balaam’s name is invoked, also in 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11, all are warnings against the conduct and message of false teachers. The doctrine of Balaam is a devious one. Much like a computer hacker, Balaam took a back-door approach.

In 2nd Peter 2:15, Balaam’s “way” is promoting falsehood for financial gain. Again in Jude 1:11, Balaam’s “error” was his eagerness to accommodate pagan beliefs out of greed. Jude 1:4 also refers to the sin of those “who misrepresent the grace of our God into a license for immorality.” One trait of false teachers in the church was their attempt to turn Christian liberty into the “freedom” to be promiscuous ( Romans 14:1–5).

Combining these ideas gives a cohesive view of the doctrine of Balaam. It is the compromised belief that one can be fully cooperative with the world and still serve God, wanting Christians to forget they are called to be separate and holy (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:2); the doctrine of Balaam makes believers indistinguishable from the unbelieving world (Matthew 5:13).

The doctrine of Balaam rests in the corrupted attitude that “a little sin” doesn’t hurt (Galatians 5:9), especially if there’s some financial or personal benefit involved (1 Timothy 6:5). A person following the doctrine of Balaam is unethical and an enabler of sin for the sake of personal profit (Romans 1:32).

The passage in Revelation implies that the woman in the church at Thyatira was committing actions designed to dominate the church's worship (in contrast to the role mentioned by Paul in Corinthians 14:34-35); to lead the members of the church away from God; and to use what appeared to be prophetic gifts (but were not) to introduce members of the church to idolatrous rituals and practices, as well as the offering of sacrifices to idols.

The message to the church at Thyatira indicates that God had afforded this woman the opportunity to repent of her practices, but she had declined to do so. Therefore, God's punishment was in store for her and those who followed her, while those who had wisely not emulated her were warned to continue to shun her influence, and exhorted to remain faithful to God.

bahmer

Both of your responses are excellent thank you.