Change in Plans

My father-in-law died yesterday morning. We had the chance to be with him the last couple of days of his life. This interrupted my blogging plans and so this series will not be continued.

Laodicea

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” (Revelation 3:14-22, ESV)

Laodicea was a prosperous city in Asia Minor, now modern day Turkey. The city had an important black wool trade along with other businesses that took in large amounts of money. It was about 12 miles west of Colossae and 5 miles south of Hierapolis. It was founded over three hundred years previously by Antiochus II Theos in 261-253 BC. The people of the city were hard working, self reliant, and were very successful on their own. This is evident because in 60 AD Laodicea was completely destroyed by a strong earthquake. Tacitus reports in his history how Laodicea refused aide from the Romans to rebuild and rebuilt their city entirely by their own means. The people worked hard, prospered, and were not dependent on anyone. The city was not only known for its businesses, but it was also a cultural, scientific and sports center. It had temples, theaters, and a stadium that was the envy of the region. It also had an aqueduct, which carried water from hot mineral springs five miles south of the city. The disadvantage of this aqueduct arrangement was that the water tasted tepid, unlike to hot springs of nearby Hierapolis, or the clear cold water of Colossae. Laodicea had a renowned medical academy and had many well known doctors, including an ophthalmologist. The church in Laodicea was a microcosm of the city. The members were wealthy, prosperous and able contributers to the city's economy and life.

As Christ looks at this prosperous city and church, what does he see? The description of Laodicea is ironic. Physically it is prosperous, energetic; it builds great wealth. Spiritually it is poor. The church is neither energetically for Christ nor against Christ. They are as bland as their tepid water. Economically they are rich, but spiritually they are poor. They neglect their heavenly treasures. While their knowledge of medicine is great and they are famed for they knowledge of eyes, they are blind.

It is interesting how Christ describes himself to this church. This gives us a clue what the Laodicean church is lacking. Christ calls himself the "amen," "the faithful and true witness," and "the beginning of God's creation." In other words, Christ's words are absolutely true, unchanging, throughout all of time from the beginning to the end. The unstated contrast is that the Laodicean church does not unflinchingly hold to the truth and to Christ.

But the church is not lost. Christ tells them how to find their way. They need to buy their gold from Christ along with his white garments. The white garments are the garments made by Christ's death which pays and covers the nakedness of their own unrighteousness. The gold is the Christ's righteousness that is given to the believer who has nothing to offer for herself.

How do you get these garments and gold? The very fact that Christ is reproving them is evidence that he loves them and has not given up on them. Christ is knocking at their door of their lives. They are to open their life to Christ and he will dine with them. Eating and feasting is a happy activity where they will share in the delights of knowing Christ. Those that dine with Christ will be the ones who conquer. They will sit with Christ and the Father at the throne of grace. But note, they will conquer as Christ conquered. Christ conquered through perseverance and death. This is not a conquering the world generally expects. It is an ironic conquering -- losing their life to find it.

I live in a wealthy part of my city, state, country and world. In fact, most who are reading this blog have the material wealth that resulted in the education and access to technology to read this blog. For each of us, it is tempting to build upon our wealth, either in things, such as houses, cars, household goods, media, etc. and rely on that for our well being and happiness. We are the envy of the materially impoverished world. We are the envy of kings in centuries past by the comforts and plenty we have at our disposal. Yet are we truly spiritually rich? Are you dining with Christ, intimately and faithfully sharing your life with him? Are you conquering through self denial and ready to die for Christ and his people? If not, listen to Christ's knocking at your life. If Christ is reproving you for your life and you hear his knocking, know that Christ's discipline of you is evidence of his deep and tender love for you. Open your life to him and dine with him. He will give you the white garment that covers your sinful, naked life, and gold you'll be able to store in heaven.

Take time to read about the other churches in Revelation 2 and 3. These also give insight to all of us today.

Golden Lampstands

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength... As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:12-16, 20 ESV)

John's vision continues. In one sense John is not seeing things as they actually physically are. These pictures point to a deeper reality. John apprehends the deeper reality when he hears the explanation. This passage follows pattern seen over and over in Revelation. John sees a visionary image followed by an explanation of the image. John sees lampstands and stars. These represent the churches and the angels of the churches. Not all of the imagery is given a direct explanation. We are given enough examples that when we see extraordinary images in Revelation we know they point to a deeper reality. Jesus has eyes of fire, white hair, bronze feet. These images allude to rich images from the Old Testament. What do these mean?

Son of man -- Jesus is the end times Son of man of the Old Testament visions of Daniel. He is the one that will set things right at the end of the age. He will come with power and authority.

Clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash -- Jesus is the royal ruler of heaven and earth.

The hairs of his head were white -- White hair denotes age and wisdom associated with age. Jesus is very wise.

His eyes were like a flame of fire -- Jesus sees everything and nothing misses his penetrating gaze. He purifies. His eyes burn away sin. Who can stand before Christ? Only those who have been cleansed by being freed from their sins by his blood.

His feet were like burnished bronze -- This is Old Testament imagery of a warrior.

His voice was like the roar of many waters -- as Have you ever stood before a huge waterfall, such Niagara Falls? The sound indicates great, overwhelming power. Jesus' voice has that kind of power.

From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword -- We are reminded that the word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. Jesus' spoken words cut away sin, defends the weak and cuts down the arrogant.

His face was like the sun shining -- This is Old Testament imagery of a strong and victorious warrior.

Each of these images are metaphors that paints a picture of who Jesus is. This powerful, wise, warrior-king walks among the lampstands, his churches. Christ intimately loves his church, the church that is comprised of individual churches throughout the world. He cares for them. He fights for his churches, provides wisdom, and rules his churches as an exceptionally wise father. In the next couple of chapters we see how Jesus' penetrating gaze sees everything in all the churches, the good and the bad, along with the promise of great rewards for those who persevere. Where each of the churches are weak, the images of Christ in this vision shows the kind of strength he gives to those churches. At the end of Revelation we will see the purified church, referred to as the bride, standing in the new heavens and earth.

Christians are not to live in isolation. All Christians are called to live and serve in the local churches throughout the world that comprise the Church. Christs cares for believers especially through the churches. Christ uses each of these attributes of himself and more to tend to his churches. Christ gives encouragement to churches on the good they are doing and admonishes the churches on their failings, all the while strengthening the church through his encouragement and power. The images of Christ in Revelation show how he strengthens in each area of weakness to overcome and persevere.

Two thousand years ago the eternal Son of God came to earth and dwelt among the human race. He now reigns from heaven and walks among the individual churches. As you worship with your church you are interacting with the Lord who walks with and cares for your church, and through that church cares for you. Christ's usual means of caring for you is through his church. It is a very special place to meet God. Don't miss out on it.

The Seven Churches

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6, ESV)

Literal, figurative, historical, recapitulating themes from the past into the present and the future, apocalyptic, symbolic, poetic, agony, triumph, irony. These words and more describe the Book of Revelation.

Literal and historical. The seven churches in Asia Minor are literal. The satellite thumbnail photo on the left shows the location of the seven churches when John wrote Revelation.

Figurative and symbolic. Numbers in our culture are abstract and sterile. We assign a singular meaning to numbers, they are only used to count something. Not so in ancient times. The number seven in the ancient near east is symbolic of completeness. There are seven days to a complete week. The complete creation in Genesis took seven days. Seven year cycles figure into the Old Testament years of Jubilee. Revelation is replete with sevens, threes, fours, as well as other numbers. When you encounter a number in Revelation, ask what does that number signify? What is its personality? How is it used in Revelation? How was it used elsewhere in the Bible? In ancient culture?


Seven is historical and figurative, full of meaning. The seven churches are literal historical churches. They have praiseworthy features, blemishes, and failure. These seven churches stand for all the churches throughout history. These are the churches since Christ's first coming until Christ's second coming in glory and power. These churches hearken back to Israel, to Abraham, even to Adam and Eve. John is writing to the individual churches of the period and John is writing to churches collectively, throughout all the centuries. John is not only writing to the churches but also to Christians that individually make up the church.

John tells the seven churches, and those who comprise them that they have grace and peace from God. We often forget the magnitude of this news. Each person deserves God's wrath because we each choose to be our own god. Looking deeply into ourselves reveals all sorts of ugly hatred towards others and God, what the Bible refers to as sin. The condition is universal. But those who belong to Christ have grace and are at peace with God. They are freed from their sins through Christ's death which is the basis of our being at peace with God. This is great news!

There is more great news. God the Father reigns from his throne, Jesus has conquered death. Jesus is identified as being the first born, which implies those that belong to him will follow in his steps. Further, Jesus rules the kings and nations of the earth. Revelation teaches that no matter what we see in the world, Christ is ruling over the kings of the world. Not only that -- Christ's people rule also. This is not a rule where the Christians take over Washington DC and enforce God's law over all the people. This ruling is far different from that. Further, all who belong to Christ are intermediaries between God and the human race, which is referred to as being priests.

God is ruling now. Christ has conquered death. God has already established his kingdom on earth. Those who belong to Christ live in God kingdom as priests. We have been given great grace. How can this be? Cancer, war and oppression mark this world. Revelation tells how this happens. We will see how God reigns and how his people conquer.

Revelation Advent

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John ... (Revelation 1:1, ESV)

The advent season is upon us. Two years ago I blogged a Book of Revelation advent series for each day in December leading up to Christmas. I am going to do a revised edition of that advent series.

The Book of Revelation has long been a controversial book. Early church historian Eusebius (263 - 339 AD) listed it as a disputed book. Martin Luther initially thought that Revelation was "neither apostolic nor prophetic" (see Luther's Treatment of the 'Disputed Books' of the New Testament). John Calvin thought that Revelation was to be included in the canon of the Bible, but Revelation was the only book in the Bible he did not write a commentary on. You can decide whether the Book of Revelation should be included in the Bible or not. Personally, I think it should be included.

Authorship has been somewhat controversial. The earliest traditions is that the disciple of Jesus, John the Apostle, is the author. For this series I will simply assume that the Apostle John is the author.

The date when the Book of Revelation was written is also somewhat controversial. The earliest traditions place it at around 95 AD. Some scholars suggest at date around 60 AD based in the internal composition and topics of Revelation with respect to the events of the Roman Empire and the fall of Jerusalem. I will take a neutral position on the date, either date fits with what I will be writing about. Either date also fits with John the Apostle as the author because early tradition notes that John was the last surviving disciple of Jesus, living to 100 AD.

Interpreting the Book of Revelation is very controversial. The traditional way the church interpreted Revelation from at least the 400's has been set aside in popular Christian culture by an approach that was developed in the 1800's by John Nelson Darby. One version of Darby's approach was popularized by the Left Behind series of Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. I will opt for the older traditional interpretation.

Christians divide the Bible into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament covers at period describing creation to about 400 BC, 400 years before the birth of Jesus. The New Testament covers a much shorter span, roughly 1 AD (give or take a few years), to the death and resurrection of Jesus (around 33 AD), to the start of the church over the next few decades. The Old Testament had a reoccurring theme of looking to the last days, when the Messiah would come and rule. The New Testament writes about the beginning of the last days, which began when Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem, and especially showed itself when Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into Heaven.

The apostle John in the Book of Revelation wrote about events that would soon take place. The churches in Asia Minor were about to face strong persecution under Rome. The church since Jesus' first coming faced both great success and horrific persecution. Through all this, John writes that the people of God will persevere to victory. It is not a victory by conventional standards. It is an ironic victory where believers overcome through endurance, suffering, perseverance, and even death. But God will win, and all believers win through Christ.

As we open the Book of Revelation keep in mind we are living in the last days. Christ has broken into the world in his first advent and is ruling. The effects of his rule are seen everywhere, if you know where to look. Before Christ's first coming the knowledge of God was largely limited to Israel. But after Christ's first coming the gospel has gone into the entire world.

This advent series will select various passages that give a flavor of the entire book of Revelation, climaxing at the ushering in of the new heavens and earth, the eternal kingdom of God where all God's people will see him face to face.

Faith and Parasailing

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

(The Swing, Robert Louis Stevenson)

Last month my wife and I were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. In the back of my mind I thought it might be fun to parasail. I've seen people parasail in Florida, saw videos of people doing it, it looked like the pleasantest thing that ever a guy could do! But would I actually do it? It could be expensive. Perhaps it was dangerous.

The moment of decision came one morning as we were relaxing on the beach. I short Mexican guy (who called himself "Shimp") stood on the beach near us flying a small parachute kite indicating he was selling parasailing rides. I then pondered whether or not to do it. Lots of thoughts raced through my mind. Was it too expensive? No -- I asked Shimp and he quoted a price that was a lot lower than I expected. The weather was nice, no storm, no winds, no lightning to fry me while up in the air. The parachute looked big. The boat that would pull me liked tiny -- but the engine looked big. Wait, I'm overweight, is the engine big enough? I looked again, yes maybe the engine was big enough. This was going to be a beach takeoff and landing. Could they do it? I saw Shrimp's crew pull someone else in a parachute -- but wait, did I? I saw the parasailing the previous day from my hotel balcony and I don't know if these were the same people. Could I do it? Land on the beach. I gulped and decided I could.

As I took that step off the beach, I thought of Kierkegaard's "leap of faith." In many ways I had put my life into the hands and equipment of a guy I knew only for only 10 minutes, a crew I never meet before, a boat and equipment I wasn't sure I'd seen do this before.

Was I warranted to put my trust in these people and their equipment? Considering the risk of my life and limb, was I justified in putting my faith in them?

Faith in the Christian life is often modeled in the way I approached parasailing. I look at the world around me. I have some basic beliefs about this world. I look at the possibility of placing my faith in Christ. I marshal the evidence, reason it out and then make my leap of faith. Is that how it works? Am I warranted in developing beliefs about Christ? Am I justified to do so?

The model I used for faith in parasailing does not fit with what actually happens in a Christian's life when she turns to Christ with faith. I need to explore a few more issues to narrow in on a model that better describes what happens when a Christian places her faith in Christ.

Cold Pizza and Basic Beliefs

In the previous post on faith I wrote that there were some inadequacies with what I wrote. What was incomplete? I'll get to that, but first I want to explore the idea of basic beliefs that Alvin Plantinga writes about in various books.

Imagine that I am walking on a beach in Florida and musing over some thoughts.



Okay, I don't normally stroll on the beach thinking the thought 1+2=3, but these thoughts in this contrived example illustrate the concept of basic beliefs. Normally, basic beliefs fall into the following categories:

• A priori -- self evident beliefs that are always true. The basic facts of arithmetic, such as 1+2=3, 5x4=20, or modus ponens (if a then b, so given a is true, then b must be true).


• Senses -- belief of things derived from the senses. When I am walking on the beach, I sense I am walking in water, on sand and feel the warmth of the Sun shining on me.


• Memory -- belief in things or events that I recall from my memory. Let's say I ate some left over cold greasy pizza slices for breakfast that morning. My memory presents the events to me of what I did and I simply believe it.


• Internal -- Belief in the things I feel about internally about myself. If my stomach is out of sorts I feel sick.

Basic beliefs are not a fixed set of beliefs. The self evident beliefs can change and grow in time. When I was 5 years old, I knew 1+2=3, but 4x5=20 was not a basic belief yet. As I grew older, my set of self evident beliefs grew. There is much more to say about basic beliefs. For instance, when I look out the front window of my house I see a tree. That is a basic belief based on what my sight presents me. How I grew as an infant to learning the properties of treeness from my parents and others can be an interesting discussion that I will not get into this series.

The next post will explore using basic beliefs to build other beliefs.