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NASB | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ¶ The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: "These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches): |
Bible Question:
I am looking for views on the interpretations of the different letters to the churches in Rev 2 and 3 currently interested in the letter to the church in Ephesus. Rev 2:1-7 Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: Rev 2:2 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; Rev 2:3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. Rev 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Rev 2:5 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent. Rev 2:6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev 2:7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.' Scriptural references would be appreciated. Thanks and Blessing to you all. |
Bible Answer: followinghim, "Points to Ponder The Meaning of Seven" "Revelation makes repeated reference to the number seven. For example, in Revelation 2-3, we find seven letters to the seven churches from "him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1) and who has "the seven Spirits of God" (3:1). Then, further on, we find seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls and, according to some scholars, seven symbolic persons emphasized in the book: a woman, a dragon, a man child, Michael the Archangel, the beast in the sea, the beast in the earth, and the Lamb. Other scholars note that there are seven blessings pronounced by our Lord in Revelation. Why the emphasis on seven? Because the number seven points to covenant. The way you make a covenant is to swear an oath. If you have a promise, you have a contract. But when you sanctify the promise with an oath, you have a covenant. When you swear an oath and take on God's name, you are, in Hebrew, "sevening" yourself. For the Hebrew verb meaning "to swear an oath" comes from the Hebrew noun for "seven." Thus, it is not surprising to discover that the number seven was an essential element of oath ceremonies. Therefore, it is highly arguable that the number seven signifies the covenant relationship between God and his people. This explains not only the sevenfold blessing of Christ upon his church in the book of Revelation, it also explains why there is a sevenfold curse symbolized by the trumpets, seals, and bowls as well. When God made a covenant with Israel through Moses, he warned in Leviticus 26 of sevenfold vengeance if the covenant was broken. For to put yourself under oath is to put yourself under a curse if you break the oath. To be under oath is to be under divine judgment, since you have attached God's own holy name to your testimony. Therefore to lie or break the oath is to profane God's name. It is then against this background of covenant blessing and curse that the letters to the churches (and the rest of Revelation) must be read." Catholic Scripture Study Copyright www.catholicexchange.com |