In this post I will demonstrate how the characteristics and functions attributed to Christ in Revelation 1 are either repeated or paralleled with the names and descriptions made about the risen Lord at the start of every exhortations and/or warnings to the seven churches, that John was commanded to write and send his scroll to. These messages to the seven churches are found in in chapters 2-3.
FIRST EXAMPLE
“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler (ho archon) of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood.” 1:5
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: This is what the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning (he arche) of the creation of God, says… ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’” 3:14, 21
It is clear that the terms archon and arche are meant to parallel one another, especially since later in the context of chapt. 3 Christ states that he will grant all those who conquer to be seated with him on his throne (Cf. 2:26-28). This, therefore, indicates that arche can also be rendered as “ruler,” i.e., Jesus is the Ruler of God’s creation, which is precisely how some versions render the expression (Cf. CEB, CJB, ERV, EHV, EXB, NCV, NIV, ).
SECOND EXAMPLE
“and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.” 1:13
“and having in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp two-edged sword which comes out of His mouth, and His face was like the sun shining in its power.” 1:16
“As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” 1:20
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: This is what the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says:” 2:1
THIRD EXAMPLE
“And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters,” 1:14-15
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: This is what the Son of God, the One who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet are like burnished bronze, says:” 2:18
FOURTH EXAMPLE
“and having in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp two-edged sword which comes out of His mouth, and His face was like the sun shining in its power.” 1:16
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: This is what the One who has the sharp two-edged sword says… Therefore repent. But if not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” 2:12, 16
FIFTH EXAMPLE
“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not fear; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.’” 1:17-18
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: This is what the first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says:” 2:8
SIXTH EXAMPLE
“and having in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp two-edged sword which comes out of His mouth, and His face was like the sun shining in its power.” 1:16
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: This is what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says:” 3:1
SEVENTH EXAMPLE
“and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” 1:18
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: This is what He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says:” 3:7
All scriptural references taken from the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB),
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