Resisting Trump with Revelation (08)
Letters to seven churches (1) Christ’s messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor in Rev.2-3 flow organically out of the vision of Christ we just considered even though there is a chapter break between them in our translation. They are two sides to the same coin. The majestic vision of Christ based in his resurrection from the dead becomes the basis for the fundamental message of the book enshrined in these communications of Christ to seven particular congregations in the 1 st century a.d. which are also his word to his churches anywhere and everywhere (that number seven again!). And that fundamental message is resistance to Rome’s Empire (and by extension all other pagan Empires) in the name of the world’s true Emperor and Empire which John names Kingdom of God. “John the Revelator recognizes that the primary challenge his brothers and sisters in the early church face is not just sporadic persecution but the constant lure of to compromise to their new Babylon.” [1]