How did the book of Revelation get from God
to the seven Churches of Asia Minor? Was John
confused about the vision he had?
Day 3
Day 3
B. Hodge, Biblical Authority Ministries, May 20, 2020
Re-read Revelation 1:1-4.
Transmission
authority of the Revelation of Jesus Christ: From God, the Father (vs. 1) – to
Jesus, who is God the Son (vs. 1) – to
His Angel (vs. 1) – to John (vs. 1) who by God, the Holy Spirit[1]
(vs. 10), wrote it and had it transmitted to the seven churches (vs. 4). John
likely sent it by post. Much is known about the ancient historical postal
routes in the ancient Roman Empire. So much in fact, that we are aware that the
order of the churches listed in the Revelation were in the same order as the
postal route![2]
For
the most part, John was not confused. It was an unveiling after all (the Greek word apokalupsis that we translate as revelation means to unveil, reveal, enlighten, making naked, et
cetera.); however, there were places in Revelation that John did get confused and did the wrong thing and needed to have it explained to him and correct his actions. These places are: Revelation 7:13-14;
17:6-7; 19:10; 22:8-9.
If
John understood it, for the most part, so should John’s initial readers. Keep in mind that these people lived about 2,000 years ago.
Read Revelation 2-3.
[1] B. Hodge, God is Triune, Answers in Genesis, February 20, 2008, https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/the-trinity/god-is-triune/,
[2] Ramsey,
W.M., The Letters to the Seven Churches,
Ed. Mark Wilson, Peabody, Massachusetts, Hendrikson, reprinted 1994 (1904),
chapter 15.
