The Apostle John was probably near 90 years old, and the last living Disciple of Jesus. He had come a very long way from the teenage Jewish fisherman when Jesus called him into full time ministry. Now he was the senior pastor of Asia Minor. His knowledge of Greek was about that of a school boy, and he needed very much to pass an important pastoral message to his flock. He probably had some help translating the intense Hebrew imagery into Greek.
The help would have come from his fellow prisoners on the Isle of Patmos. Forget what you may have seen in the movies, the island was large enough to have a small city and farmland. There probably were no chains, but every ship's manifest would be checked by the Roman officials to insure people assigned to serve exile there didn't leave before their release. It was one of many exile locations Emperor Domitian used to isolate leaders of those who resisted his commands.
One of those commands was to acknowledge him as a god. For most Romans, it was hardly an issue. This would be but one more god in their pantheon, assuming they actually believed. It was the same old thing, where some ruler, along with his vast bureaucracy, demanded a show of loyalty. In practice, this was little more than standing before the carved image of the Emperor and tossing a pinch of incense on the small flame burning there, with a few words like, "Lord Caesar." For John, this was hardly meaningless. His Hebrew heritage would not let him treat this lightly. There was no god but Jehovah; had not his nation gotten at least that one thing right after the Babylonian Exile?
Not only could John not do this himself, but he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to insist his church members also refuse. Either Christ was Lord alone, or He was not Lord at all. A Christian could not compromise on this issue, even at the cost of his life. Some believers had died, indeed, but John was exiled. The whole thing was a symbol of the eternal fight between human governments and God Almighty.
Thus, while praying one Sunday on the island, a massive vision took him away. Such experiences are hardly to be described in human language. Yet he knew it was critical his flock see what he saw, and understood the wisdom conveyed. What should the church expect from human governments? What was typical, what was "normal"? And how could he explain to them the true evil nature of fallen rule without the letter being confiscated?
By this time, the churches had long been passing around not just copies of the Hebrew canon of Scripture, but letters and accounts of his Master's life. John himself had written his own recollections, giving an account from a wholly different perspective. Most of his flock was not Roman, per se, but from a more Eastern outlook. There would have been Jewish Christians to help explain the symbols. Having seen the Hebrew scriptures and it's vivid imagery, and having a fairly mystical outlook from their own culture, John knew they would understand this extended revelation in the same symbolic language. By expanding on this base, the material would read like typical mystical mad ramblings of no consequence to anyone outside the churches. To John, the Living Word of his Gospel was now going to incarnate Himself as the Living Word of His Church.
Time was short. John would not live much longer, and whether he ever left his exile on Patmos before death, it was important his flock understand the other half of the gospel message. The account of Jesus' life on earth was a critical foundation, but the account of His eternal work in the coming age must be revealed, as well. The Last Days had already begun with the empty tomb he visited that bright Sunday morning so long ago. There was a period of transition lasting some 40 days before Jesus finally ascended. Then another transition period of roughly 40 years for the judgment against the nation of Israel for their rejection of the Messiah. The final period of transition would pass with John's life, as he was the last living Apostle. The churches must grasp the one, most important message not yet delivered from the last of those who had touched Jesus, and whom He had touched.
We know there were other churches in that area beside the seven named. It doesn't matter, because the symbolism of seven was a part of the message -- seven meant holiness, a completion of revelation, fulfilled authority. This was not so much a prophecy of historical periods to come, because John still clung to the hope he might see His Lord return. No, this was seven different kinds of churches with their unique problems. These types would be visible throughout history, until that Return. What were their problems, and how would they face the ages without living Apostles?
The foundation of all things was a clear understanding of Jesus Christ, Risen Savior and Lord of all. The critical point beyond simply attaching the full range of symbols which belonged to Him under the Hebrew legacy was to note this is the Lord who reigns regardless of time and space. John had hoped he might see His Lord's return, but had begun to doubt it. Without knowing how long it might take, it was of the utmost importance the churches be properly equipped. This was John's message, John's intent, and at our spiritual peril we ignore what the book was for John.
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Ed Hurst
10 August 2007
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