Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5
Chapter 1
Introduction
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave it to him to let his servants know what is soon to take place. He sent his angel to make it known to his servant John,who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God and the declaration of Jesus Christ.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words, and blessed are those who hear them, and treasure everything written here, for the time is near.
Message to the Seven Churches: Greeting
From John to the seven churches of Asia: receive grace and peace from him who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits of God, which are before his throne,
Chapter 2
Messages to the Seven Churches
To the Church in Ephesus
Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus, “Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden lamp stands:
I know your works, your difficulties, and your patient suffering. I know you cannot tolerate evildoers, but have tested those who call themselves apostles, and have proved them to be liars.
You have persevered and have suffered for my name without losing heart.
Nevertheless, I have this complaint against you: you have lost your first love.
Remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do what you used to do before. If not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place; this I will do unless you repent.
Commentaries
Introduction.
‘Apocalypse’ in Greek means ‘unveiling’ or ‘revelation’ of something hidden. The reading begins with these two words: “The revelation that God entrusted to Jesus Christ.” The central focus on Jesus Christ and the depth of his mystery are emphasized from the start (1:1) to the end (22:21). The proclamation of a beatitude, or blessing, follows the presentation of the book. It is the first of seven beatitudes that highlight the book (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14). This shows that Revelation is not a scary book, a list of bad events, but rather a message from God of great joy (seven symbolizes totality) for the Church. The first beatitude involves proclaiming the Word of God, listening to it with an open heart, and keeping its message. The Christian community already seems to be the book’s primary audience.
Message to the Seven Churches: Greeting.
Divine grace and peace are extended to the entire Church (the seven churches of Asia symbolize the universal Church). The God who greets and blesses is not an impersonal force, but the Christian God par excellence—namely, the Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ is honored with three main titles. He is the “faithful witness” because, through his life, death, and resurrection, he fully expresses everything God intended to reveal to us. He is the ‘firstborn of the dead’ because of his resurrection. He is the “Lord of the kings of the earth” because, as the risen Lord, empowered by his Spirit and with our cooperation, he guides history toward its complete human and Christian fulfillment. Who is Jesus Christ for the Church? The community recalls three great blessings that the Lord has abundantly given: love, redemption, and sharing in the royal priesthood. The Church exists because of this love of Jesus Christ, which it gratefully experiences throughout its history.
Message to the Seven Churches.
To the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7). Although Jesus Christ acknowledges their loyal effort and perseverance, he nevertheless reproves the community for having abandoned “the first love.” “First” not in chronological order but in its demanding quality and complete surrender of the heart. Here is an admirable summary of the entire journey of Christian conversion, which includes three essential steps: fix your gaze, repent, and act (5).
To the Church of Smyrna (2:8-11). The city, which took pride in its loyalty to Rome, had received many Jews who survived the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans; these had become enemies of the Christians. In the letter, there is not a single reproach from the Lord to this Church, but rather a continuous call for perseverance.
To the Church of Pergamum (2:12-17). The city was well-known in ancient times for its thriving parchment industry and its many pagan temples, among which a giant altar dedicated to Jupiter stood out. The atmosphere was oppressive for the Christian faith. The Lord wants the community to stay faithful despite the surrounding idolatry.
To the Church of Thyatira (2:18-29). Jesus Christ appears—the only time in Revelation—with the most solemn title, “Son of God.” With his penetrating gaze, “eyes like a flame of fire,” and with the firmness of someone standing on feet like burnished bronze, he aims to strengthen the life of the Church.
Thyatira was the least important of the seven cities mentioned, and paradoxically, it has the longest letter. Although Jesus Christ’s favorable judgment is commendable, the severity with which he also reproves it is significant. The community has fallen into neglect and allows heretics (the followers of Jezebel) to continue their work of deception and recruitment. The Lord warns it with strong words, applicable to the Church of all times: The opportunity can no longer be missed. Now that there is time, it is essential to convert!
To the Church of Sardis (3:1-6). Sardis was a thriving commercial hub known for its prosperous white-wool industry, which the letter appears to refer to. Despite this material success, the Christian community was barely surviving. Jesus Christ presents himself as filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit (“the seven spirits of God”) and capable of restoring the Church’s purpose. Through his powerful word, guided by the Spirit, he will bring life back to the community. Our Lord’s rebuke is sharply bitter. The community only “has a name,” maintaining an outward appearance or façade, but internally, in its faith and love, it is dead. However, not all is lost; a lively remnant still remains (4). These few must remain vigilant so that what is still good does not fade away.
To the Church of Philadelphia (3:7-13). Philadelphia was a small city southeast of Sardis. The Christian community is at the end of its strength and receives from the Lord a letter full of praise and encouragement. The Lord makes no reproach; he knows that it is a small community and that it suffers persecution from the Jews. The faithful Christians constitute the true Israel. No one will be able to erase the consecration of their name, indelibly engraved by the Lord.
To the Church of Laodicea (3:14-22). Laodicea was known in ancient times for its famous medical school specializing in eye diseases. The city considered itself self-sufficient (17). Jesus Christ’s judgment is extremely severe. The state of the Church makes him sick. The reason for such intense revulsion is the Church’s lukewarmness: it believes itself to be rich and perfect and, in its blindness, refuses to recognize its extreme poverty. It lives, clumsily, entrenched in the worst sin: religious pride. The community must seek only in the Lord the remedy for its shameful situation: it must put on the white garment of its dignity as the bride of Jesus Christ. Verse 20 is the most beautiful and mysterious in the entire Bible. Despite this severe judgment, the Risen Lord, the one who stands, patiently waits at the door. He knocks insistently, like the Bridegroom in the Song of Songs (cf. Song 5:2). He gently pleads to be let in, but the door can only be opened from the inside, meaning it ultimately depends on the Christian’s freedom. But if the Christian responds generously, the Lord, now the host of the house, will form an intimate covenant with him, founded on mutual love, and will grant him the gift of the Eucharistic supper.