Revelation 1:10-11 (NIVUK)
10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.’
John’s vision of Jesus in the rest of the chapter, and what Jesus showed him, was not just for John, it was for the seven churches, churches found in what’s now modern Turkey. Does this mean that what he has to say is of no relevance to us? You won’t be surprised that my answer is no! Throughout, Revelation is about Jesus, who he is and what he has done and will do for us. That’s of direct importance to all people, not just those of these seven churches at that time. The number of churches should also catch our attention, seven. In scripture, seven is seen as representing perfection or completeness. Is this a symbolic way of saying that the contents of Revelation are for all people, the whole church? If so, that includes us. God’s mission and love is not just for John, not just for seven churches, not just for the church of Turkey, but for all! No wonder he needs a voice like a trumpet…
Lord, give us a bigger vision of what you’re doing than just a personal one, or one connected to our church. Help us to grasp something of the scale of your mission.
Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash
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