Marginal Christianity

       Jumping Off into Revelation Before jumping into something we must jump off something. Same with Revelation. Before we jump into it we must jump from where we currently are. And where we are is discerned by where in the profile of the seven messages of Christ to his church(es) in Rev.2-3 we find ourselves. Let me spell that out in more detail. -Christ delivers prophetic messages to seven actual churches in Asia Minor in the late 1 st century a.d. -In John’s world numbers are symbolic and often used as adjectives (see FAQ). -Seven in this symbolic world means “completeness” or “fullness.” -Thus, Christ addresses both the seven actual congregations in Asia Minor and through these messages the whole church (including us). -these messages provide a differentiated portrait of these churches (the church). -Where we discern our church(es) fit in this profile (which of the churches we most fully identify with) helps us identify both where we ...

       Jumping Off into Revelation Before jumping into something we must jump off something. Same with Revelation. Before we jump into it we must jump from where we currently are. And where we are is discerned by where in the profile of the seven messages of Christ to his church(es) in Rev.2-3 we find ourselves. Let me spell that out in more detail. -Christ delivers prophetic messages to seven actual churches in Asia Minor in the late 1 st century a.d. -In John’s world numbers are symbolic and often used as adjectives (see FAQ). -Seven in this symbolic world means “completeness” or “fullness.” -Thus, Christ addresses both the seven actual congregations in Asia Minor and through these messages the whole church (including us). -these messages provide a differentiated portrait of these churches (the church). -Where we discern our church(es) fit in this profile (which of the churches we most fully identify with) helps us identify bo...

Letters to seven churches (2) (cont’d) Thyatira (2:18-29): Imperial Economy vs. God’s Economy The message to this church comes from the One with “eyes like flames of fire” and “feet . . . like burnished bronze” (v.18; cf. 1:14,15). Thyatira was a growing commercial and manufacturing city particularly working with bronze. This may account for way Christ is identified. Yet fire and burnished bronze can also connote power and judgment. The focus of this message seems to be on economic entanglements with the empire and the ways such commitments can compromise faith and witness. Again, Christ offers a mixed report.   On the plus side, “love, faith, service, and patient endurance” in which they are growing (v.19). On the negative side, though, they tolerate a Jezebelian teaching (“the deep things of Satan,” v.24). Jezebel was the Canaanite wife of King Ahab of Israel who influenced him and nation to practice idolatry. The parade example was when Ahab schemed to take ...