Revelation - Jesus walks in the midst of us.

There is an image painted in the beginning of the book of Revelation that I find comforting as a pastor.  It is the imagery of the glorified Christ walking a midst his churches on earth, holding their pastors in his hand.  We see it first in Revelation 1:12-13.  John sees seven gold lampstands and in the midst of them is "One like the Son of man."  In verse twenty we learn that the lampstands represent the seven church to whom the letter of the book of Revelation is written.  Seven is a complete number signifying that this letter is written to the whole of Christianity.  On the Imperial Highway on which these seven churches breathed and worshipped, at least two other unnamed churches also existed.  Biblical historians believe that they were included as recipients of this letter.

John sees with spiritual eyes what is taking place in the midst of the physical realm. He sees Jesus walking a midst his churches, both the healthy and unhealthy churches.  John witnesses Jesus caring for each of the congregations expressing his desire for the best for each of them.

When we read this, it should comfort and challenge us to know that as Jesus walked amidst these churches in Asia Minor, Jesus walks amidst the churches here today.

We read further that Jesus not only walks amidst them, but also holds in His right hand seven stars (Rev. 1:16).  According to Revelation 1:20 these seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.  According to Steve Gregg in his book "Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated," there is debate as to whether these seven angels, better translated as "messengers" are guardian angels assigned to each church or the pastor/bishop of each church.  If we think of them as guardian angels, we then must wonder if this is a unique gift given to each of the seven churches named in Revelation or has God assigned an angel to every local body of believers that has ever or will ever exist on earth?  And if we evaluate that since the letter was to be given to the "messengers" to share with the individual church that these "messengers" must be the pastor or spiritual leader of the church, then how are we to understand this idea that Jesus holds in his hand the messenger of each church?

As a pastor, the image of Jesus holding me specifically in my role as his messenger to New Disciples is comforting, but it also holds me accountable.  Similar to the idea that Jesus walks amidst the churches in Cedar Rapids - all of them.  And Jesus is attentively caring for each of them - proud of their strengths, concerned about their weaknesses, calling each to repent of the ways they have gone wayward.  And then remembering that it is then the pastor or spiritual leader of each community who must carry forth and articulate the message Jesus has created for them to share.

These are just my first ramblings on this blog.  Thoughts going through my mind as I try to discern which parts of the first three chapters of Revelation should be emphasized and which parts can be left out in the first sermon in a series sermon on this apocalyptic book.

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