The Holy Spirit moves, inspires, fills all of creation. Its impact is breathtaking. Wherever something picks up speed, develops strength or breaks out in the Bible – the Holy Spirit is involved.
At Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples suddenly understood God’s masterpiece and speak of the great acts of God (Acts 2).
John 14,26: „But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.“
Although Pergamum was a centre of imperial cult and Greek god worship, the followers of Jesus hold on to their faith even after Antipas was killed for it.
But there were also people in the community who were looking for compromises.
In Pergamon and in Thyatira, some mixed religion with eroticism, although God always explicitly separates these two areas.
Instead of meat sacrificed to idols, the Pergamum believers should focus on the hidden manna.
Those who do not give up and hold on to Jesus receive heavenly bread (manna) and a new suitable name.
Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day, he met over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:5).
Although these encounters had an encouraging character, nothing earth-shattering happened. Jesus’ disciples went their own way again.
Jesus sent all the disciples back to Jerusalem.
The expectation of the disciples was great that Jesus would now set up the kingdom. But Jesus did not want to set a time for this and promised them divine power through the Holy Spirit, who would lead them into the whole world (Acts 1:6-8).
As Jesus ascended into heaven before their eyes on the Mount of Olives and disappeared from their sight through a cloud, Jesus opened a new chapter.
Jesus finished his first commission on earth. He went bodily to a real otherworldly place where he promised to prepare place to live for his followers (John 14:2).
He is now seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father (Mark 16:19 / Acts 7:56).
From there he will come again to set up God’s kingdom visibly.
Jesus taught his disciples that there is a real transcendent world and has now entered it. God’s presence is experienced anew through the Holy Spirit.
The followers of Jesus live in the expectation of being accepted into this other world. They look forward to the return of Jesus when he will set up his kingdom in glory.
Perhaps the Ascension Day has become a symbol that we too want to go to another world in prayer and then come back with new eyes.
The Jesus Movement of Smyrna is materially poor, but they have discovered the riches of faith (Revelation 2:9) even as they are persecuted.
In Smyrna was a Jewish community that made life difficult for the people of Jesus (Revelation 2:9). Paul also made life difficult for the followers of Jesus at the beginning and was later attacked himself.
The Jews of the synagogue in Smyrna were supposed to be serving God, but their behaviour played into the hand of the enemy. Likewise, people can call themselves Christians, but their actions is rebellion against God.
Imprisonment and death are reported as common. Because Christ himself was dead and came to life again (Revelation 2:8), the first death loses its fear.
People who suffer for the faith and are willing to die for it, are among the victors who receive the laurel wreath. This doesn’t just mean the first to reach the finish line, but all those who hold on to their faith and are willing to trust in God in everything.
The first letter from heaven (Revelation 2:1-7) goes to the church of Ephesus.
The Ephesians lacked not faith but love. That made everything else questionable.
Jesus invites the church to return to devotional first love. The “first love” is a deep desire for fellowship with Jesus. The church is to return to this longing for Jesus.
The Nicolaitans mentioned tolerated sexual promiscuity, participation in sacrifices to idols and in the cult of the emperor.
Anyone who wants to win people over to the church with “worldly offers” loses spiritual nourishment.
Jesus promises the fruits of the tree of life to those who overcome (victors).
In Jesus people of all nations choose spiritual nourishment. A life of trust and dependence on Jesus and not on human strategies. A life shaped by a deep love for Jesus.
In the face of the divine Jesus, John gives up all his own strength. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17).
Some people think that once they meet God, they will ask him many questions. I see here and also in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:28) that whoever encounters God or Jesus says nothing more.
But those who stand to Jesus meet Jesus as friend. Jesus said in Luke 12:8, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God“.
The encouragement to John is: “Fear not … I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17). Jesus has all authority and the keys. Jesus decides.
In Matthew 7:23 Jesus himself says to godly people, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness”. The key question is not whether we know Jesus, but whether He knows us. Do we open ourselves to Jesus? He knows us when we reveal ourselves to him and talk to him. It starts in the here and now.
Jesus is the key person of revelation. He reveals what will happen to the called-out ones so that they don’t get worried. They should know: Jesus has everything in his hand. He wants to save people from their own destruction and invite them to repent. In addition, he lets them see how little they have in their own hands.
For believers, the book of Revelation is a book of comfort. They are walking towards an accomplished Jesus.