The search for insights and contextual understanding began by simply asking if there could be significance relative to the land mass of Asia Minor, the addressing of the messages to the Seven Church communities, and the selection of John the Apostle to receive this blessed revelation?
The author will strongly contend, while exploring these three simple questions, that significant and useful insight and context were uncovered which can best be described as being of a “historical,” “cultural” and “theological” nature.
When one objectively looks at history from a Biblical perspective it is impossible to not see history as being defined in a “pre-Messiah” and “post-Messiah” construct. Clearly the “pre-Messiah” age can be defined as being “Hebrew” and “the promised land of Israel” centric and recognize Jerusalem as the center of this historical age. Essentially this age is of a national and even ethnic Jewish dynamic. Conversely it is just as clear the “post-Messiah” age can be defined as being not as national but as “Earthly” in perspective and comprising not just Jews but all people groups.
It would seem apparent, after our review of Asia Minor, that we should be viewing the Revelation in a broad historical context in which the Church of Messiah and modern world history are deeply connected. We should view this historical correlation still further in a “Western Civilization” context wherein we can see the centricity of the Church of Yeshua inextricably embedded within “Western Civilization” and recognize modern world history as being predominantly influenced by that “Western Civilization.”
We should also maintain a historical perspective regarding the messages to the Seven Churches. Unlike the broader historical context previously discussed, the seven messages are to be viewed in a “historical era” or “historical path” mode relevant to the Church of Messiah. A contextual view which implies that each message to a specific Church of Revelation will correspond to an identifiable Church of Messiah historical period over the past 2,000 years!
Finally from a historical perspective it is critical to view the Revelation within a “Scriptural World View” context. This context holds that Holy Scripture is a real and accurate depiction of human history relative to activities by and of G_D’s “chosen people” and subsequent interaction with these “chosen people” by the rest of the World’s population.
Within this “Scriptural World View” context we should also understand that, like “pre-Messiah” history which was of course centric to the Israelites, not all actions and events applicable to the Earthly Church of Messiah are necessarily what we people would generally consider “good” or “favorable.” In many cases the actions of “chosen people” are just plain horrific.
When the prophetic nature of these seven Church messages is realized, the Revelation most certainly takes on a different light. Rather than just being the quintessential guide to the “end days' events,” Revelations should be considered the quintessential guide to all of modern or post-Messiah human history. A modern history which Revelations depicts through the perspective of Yeshua’s Church on Earth; just as the Hebrew Tanakh depicts pre-Messiah history through the perspective of the Israelites. In simpler terms a historical view which is centric to G_D!
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Not surprisingly the cultural aspects of Revelations mirror that of the world view reality in which we have Hebraic Culture, Gentile Culture and a definitive split between Western and Eastern Cultures. Our review clearly indicates how well Asia Minor perfectly embodies this incredible dynamic and the seemingly incongruent collective nature of them. So what then can we ultimately determine to be useful context in which to view the Revelation? How do we discern balance in this seemingly unfathomable equation?
From this author’s perspective it is imperative to look closely at John the Apostle for this answer. Although we know the Church of Messiah to be fundamentally a Gentile as well as “Western” cultured entity, the very nature of G_D’s relationship with man is more appropriately described as being Biblically or Hebraically rooted. This declaration is supported by the fact that the very foundation of the Gentile Church of Messiah rests on Yeshua, the greatest of all Hebrews and Holy Scripture which was given to and handed down by the Hebrews, a.k.a. the oracles of G_D.
In the works and life of John the Apostle we see this Hebraic centricity clearly revealed. The selection of John the Apostle by Yeshua to receive the blessed revelation should in no way be considered unimportant or without meaning.
Since the Hebraic cultural foundation of Christianity is undeniable, we must also keep in mind that we of course have a natural Hebrew and Gentile cultural dynamic which must be viewed as real and meaningful. Regarding the developing Church of Messiah, this dynamic then results in the need to view Holy Scripture and religious practice as Hebraic in nature but recognize that the Church’s actual application of same to be greatly influenced by Gentile culture. The importance of this cultural dynamic will become very clear to the reader when we review the Churches of Revelation messages.
Regarding the cultural dynamic existing between “East” and “West” there must be a contextual mind set which recognizes and accepts this continual struggle for supremacy. This continuing cultural struggle, which we know to be historically validated and true even to this very day, was in effect revealed to us in millennia past within this very Book of Revelation. It appears prophetically that G_D has revealed to us the great cultural dynamic that would shape the temporal world until the end of days.
Important to note is even within the Church of Messiah itself this “East” and “West” struggle manifests itself. Ultimately what we learn is that cultural context is important in understanding peoples’ behavior. When applied to history we can use cultural context to identify and explain how things happened as they did. Subsequently, as we will see history unfold through the Revelation it will be important to keep in mind this cultural dynamic.
Ultimately the cultural perspective which must be considered paramount however is the culture of G_D’s own Son, Yeshua of Nazareth, and by proxy the culture of G_D! As we proceed with this work and review of the first three chapters of the Revelation it will be critical to ascertain what G_D is revealing to us about his planned culture for us. We should not lose sight as well, that the Culture of G_D, being expressed in human terms, is fundamentally Hebraic and as such any review of Revelations or Holy Scripture as a unified corpus must account for this cultural view.
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Premised upon a correct contention of scriptural unity (where pre-Messiah and post-Messiah Testaments constitute one Scriptural Continuum), theological exegesis logically must be viewed in a Hebraic context. It is simply counter-productive to apply non-Hebraic context to something which is in all ways Hebraic. This is a critical contextual aspect when attempting to view “theological doctrinal concepts” in a fair and equitable manner.
One may argue this contention is by its very nature “biased” and this author would agree; it is a biased approach. The reader should understand however that because there is an inherent bias one should not conclude this is necessarily unfair or incorrect. The fact remains the Gentile peoples in G_D’s plan are “second act” players who are in effect being adopted into the chosen people’s root which is Messiah himself. Subsequently the very nature and root of the Gentile relationship with G_D is through Israel. It then makes perfect logic to view this as reality and deal with it.
On the other hand it must be realized the Church of Messiah would in fact be tremendously influenced by the various Gentile cultural environments. This “Gentile Cultural” context is another issue which is a key in discerning the meaning within Revelations. Subsequently we will see important theological variances which are contextually developed between these two thought spectrums.
Another major theological aspect to consider is the idea of a Covenantal Continuum. G_D does not have multiple covenants with multiple chosen peoples. Nor did G_D do away with the everlasting elements of the Hebrew covenant; his promises, commands and statutes. The renewed covenant is a perfected agreement in which all peoples can be brought to G_D through Yeshua and Israel. G_D’s covenant with mankind is for all people premised upon belief in Yeshua with all the details of the covenant being held over from the original and everlasting covenant as defined in G_D’s Sacred Torah.
Of critical importance to note is the Book of Revelation represents the last Scriptural Word from G_D to mankind. As such, in light of the developing stage of the Church of Yeshua the Messiah, a context of “Doctrinal Instruction” should be adopted.
We know that G_D, from a human perspective, is best defined as love, order and structure. As such we must view Revelations keeping in mind that G_D would not complete Holy Scriptures without providing us a conclusive summary. Obviously all people who have ever read the Bible can grasp the apocalyptic end time's conclusive nature of Revelations. This is a given! What is being stressed herein is that G_D in his infinite mercy has also provided us with a “meaning of life” conclusion as well.
Thus contained within this blessed Revelation is a detailed doctrinal guide for the Church leadership and individual believers. Even with a very limited knowledge of G_D the author asks: “How could it not be so?”
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