This is the overarching message of the book of Revelation - "You reign." God is described as the 'one sitting on the throne." Jesus Christ, in his resurrected glory is seen as sharing this throne. There are two powerful images - the Lion (of Judah) and the Lamb (the Lamb who was slaughtered). Jesus reigns not as a Lion but as a Lamb - a little lamb which reminds us of the Passover in the Old Testament and Calvary in the New Testament. This is the message to the world from the last book in the Bible.
The Christians in Ephesus and other cities in the first century needed to be reminded of this fact. They had lost their first love. The Christians at Smyrna and Philadelphia were suffering persecution so they needed to be reminded of this truth. The church at Sardis was asleep and they needed this reminder to wake up. The church at Thyatira were tolerating a woman who was teaching error and the church at Pergamum was too soft on error too. The last of the seven churches at Laodicea were neither hot nor cold. They were half-hearted and lukewarm in their zeal and affection. What about our church in 2023? Do we not need to be reminded that Jesus reigns - not that he will reign but that he is Lord right now.
In the first chapter of Revelation we are told that Jesus has already made us 'a kingdom, priests to our God and Father (Revelation 1:6). Jesus reminded the complacent church at Laodicea that he has already overcome and he has sat down with His Father on his throne (Revelation 3:21). Have we forgotten this? Remember what Paul told the Ephesians - God has made us alive together with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6).
コメント