Day 341: Revelation 1:12–20

Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this (v. 19).

Years ago I learned a good rule of thumb that I’ve tried to keep before me in study: when plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense. Through the ages various interpreters have sought to make the churches of Revelation 2–3 symbolic, but what we can know for certain is that they were actual believers and real churches at the time of John’s exile. The order of scriptural presentation is actually geographic. All seven cities were located in Asia Minor, and their orders in Scripture suggest a very practical route a messenger might take if he began a journey in Ephesus and traveled on to the other six cities.

We will spend much of our time in Revelation on the messages to the seven churches. The fact that God included the communication in Holy Writ tells us they have something to say to us. In fact, Christ Himself pointed out their relevance to others as He drew all seven letters to a close with a broad invitation, first recorded in Revelation 2:7: “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches” (hcsb).

Now, feel the side of your head. Do you feel an ear? Try either side, for you only need one: “Anyone who has an ear . . .” If you have one, Jesus would like you to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. I have one, too, so I’m in with you. The reason is obvious. We of His church today have much to learn from the successes, failures, victories, and defeats of the early churches. The generations may be far removed, but our basic nature and the truth of Scripture remain consistent.

Actually, Christ had more in mind than talking to people who had at least one physical ear on the sides of their heads. I certainly had ears throughout my young years, but I’m not sure how well I used them to listen to God. For the most part my ears were important hair accessories. Will I put my hair behind both ears today? One ear? Or shall I let my hair hang over both ears? I was so deep. The messages to the seven churches are for people with a little more depth than that. Christ’s broad invitation was more like this: What I’ve said to them will speak volumes to anyone who really wants to hear and respond. So let’s each grab an ear and hear!