Part 11 of 12 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation ' by Gijs van den Brink
In the book of Revelation, we meet a church that does not have a hierarchical, but a free and organic congregational structure. The picture the book paints of the church consists of small congregations, as is evident in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:8).
Apparently the congregations were not yet organized at the city level, because the book does not yet mention elders in the church. We should think of house churches with at most 30-40 people.
John sees Jesus in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, the congregations.
"I turned around to see what voice was speaking to me. Then I saw seven golden lampstands, and among them someone who looked like a man. He was dressed in a long robe and had a golden band around his chest" (Rev. 1:12-13).
So he does not see Jesus standing above the lampstands, but walking in the midst of them. There is a network of house churches. Similarly, the "messengers" pass through the congregations. The aggeloi in Rev. 1:20 should not be translated "angels," but "messengers" (see comm. Study Bible). They are itinerant prophets and preachers passing through the congregations.
The focus in Revelation is not on the organizational aspects of being a church, but on the consolation and strengthening of the church of Christ. This is an important message for pastors in the church today, which, as in the first century, often consists of small congregations.
Also see: Part 10 of 12 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation ': Revelation: through crisis to preservation of the earth
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 11 of 12 concise blog on the topic of "Lessons from Revelation" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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