Lessons in Greek
By Elisabeth Duckworth
Today's Greek words: the Seven Names of Jesus, Revelation 2-3.
- Rev. 2:1 – To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The words of Him Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks among the seven golden lamp stands.
- Rev. 2:8 – To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the First and Last, Who died and came to life.
- Rev. 2:12 – To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of Him Who has the sharp two-edged sword.
- Rev. 2:18 – To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The words of the Son of God Who has eyes like a flame of fire, and Whose feet are like burnished bronze.
- Rev. 3:1 – To the angel of the church in Sardis write: The words of Him Who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
- Rev. 3:7 – To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one will shut, Who shuts and no one opens.
- Rev. 3:14 – 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.
Let me say right off the top I am not offering an eschatological study of Revelation! Nor is this an absolutely thorough discussion of all the meanings and ramifications of the Seven Names. I'm just dapping along the surface here, but perhaps it will be an incentive for you to study more deeply this profoundly rich topic. As an aside, at first I thought there may be a reason why a certain name was attached to a specific church, that the name was a reflection of the need or condition of each church. But now I'm thinking that each name represents an unfolding of the nature and identity of Christ quite apart from the church it is attached to. You decide.
Let us begin at the beginning: Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The words of Him Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 1. The Church of Ephesus: The Church that Has Abandoned Its Love for Christ and His Teachings (Revelation 2:1-7) Ephesus was the prominent commercial and cultural centre of Asia. Ephesus was a natural base for early church missionaries since it offered excellent land and sea connections to the rest of the Mediterranean world. It was the major port on the east coast of the Aegean Sea. The city was considered one of the greatest emporiums in Asia Minor. It was also the terminus of the major east-west road across Anatolia connecting the eastern-most edges of the Roman Empire with Rome. Emperors instituted temple cults to themselves and erected their own self-monuments throughout the city. The huge temple to the goddess Artemis was also located in Ephesus. Luke gives an exciting account in Acts 19 of the riot that took place in Ephesus over a perceived insult to Artemis. The city's connection to Artemis plus the dominating presence of emperor cults help explain Paul's emphasis in Ephesians on the power of God and Christ's triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the ages to come. The Ephesian Christians needed to be reminded of these things in order to remain fearlessly resolute in their allegiance to Christ as the supreme power in the world as well as in their personal lives.
Christ's words to the church of Ephesus praises the congregation for its “deeds…hard work…and perseverance,” and for its rejection of false apostles (Revelation 2:2-3). Despite its hard work and doctrinal integrity, Christ faults the community for having “forsaken the love [they] had at first” (Revelation 2:4). This “forsaken love” could mean that the Ephesians had become less devoted to Christ or that the work they did was no longer motivated by love for one another. The letter to the church of Ephesus does offer the community hope if they repent and rekindle their love for Christian living (Revelation 2:5-7).
Revelation 2:1 Vocabulary:
- Words of Him – The actual Greek in the opening line of 2:1 does not say “the words”, but simply “the things” He says….
- The One Holding – krateo (ο κρατων) – “Holding” doesn't mean balancing something in the hands. This Greek word indicates wielding powerfully, to be in control, have command, to be mighty, powerful, and victorious. The root -krat has come into English in the o-cracy words such as demo-cracy (people in power); theo-cracy (God in power); pluto-cracy (wealthy in power), etc. In this verse, the one “holding” the seven stars is powerfully owning and wielding the stars.
- Seven Stars – asteras (ο αστηρ) – The Greek word for “star” has come into English in words such as asterisk and asteroid. It refers to a star, meteor, or comet. It can also mean a beacon or a bright, shining light. In Rev. 1:17, Christ explains to John that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
- Right Hand – dexia (η δεχια) – The right hand is the hand used to seal a pact or confirm an agreement. It was a symbol of dexterity, skill, and adroitness. Clever or astute persons, ideas, or remarks were described as “right sided” or “right handed”. The right side is the auspicious side where one looked for favourable signs and gestures and kindly good omens.
- The One Who walks in the midst of – peripateo (ο περιπατεω) – Jesus wields the seven stars, but He walks about in the midst of the seven lampstands (the seven churches). Like most teachers in Jesus' day, Jesus taught His students as He walked from village to village or house to house. These walking teachers were called the “peripatetics”. There is a certain casualness to peripatetic walking; it is more a stroll or perambulation than a vigorous hike from point A to point B. Jesus says He is the one who “walks among” or “in the company of” the churches. There is something very personal and intimate about this imagery.
- Seven Golden Candlesticks – lychnia (η λυχνια) – Lamp stands are just that, an elevated stand on which an oil burning clay lamp is set. In Matthew 5:15 Jesus says no one sets their lamp under a basket, but rather places it on top of a lampstand so the lamp can shine most effectively. The golden lampstands are reminiscent of the golden lampstand God instructed Moses to place in the tent tabernacle (Exodux 25:31). The word lychnia has come into English in the name of the brightly hued lychnis flower.
~ Next time, we'll look at Revelation 2:8: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the First and Last, Who died and came to life.”
