“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: "This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right-hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands.  Revelation 2:1, GNT

 

Every one of the letters to the churches have the same beginning, but every letter reveals something new about the one who is sending the message. To one church, Jesus reveals himself as the beginning and the end, and to another church as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword.

 

He is also the Son of God with eyes that blaze like fire and who has the seven spirits of God. We must not think about seven separate spirits. The number seven is God’s number and in this verse, it points to the Holy Spirit in his completeness. Jesus is further revealed as the one who has the key of David. This key is the symbol of power and by this key, heaven is unlocked so that everyone who believes in Jesus may enter. Jesus is also the Holy One, the one that is very special to God. Through Jesus, we are also very special to God.

 

In the very last letter to the church in Laodicea, he is shown as “… the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created”. (Revelation 3:14) All the letters were supposed to be read by all the churches and also by us, the church of modern times. This is so that we can all know how Jesus revealed himself as almighty. He encompasses time and space when he revealed himself as being there at the beginning of creation (read John 1:3), but in the end, he is also the Omega – the Amen. We do not have to be afraid anymore. Jesus is with us from beginning to end.

 

To know him, as he has revealed himself to John, is a huge comfort for the church and also for each member of his church in our chaotic world.

 

Prayer: Along with the poet who wrote Psalm 146, we want to say: “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord o my soul! I will praise him as long as I live.” Thank you for being with us for ever and ever. Amen