Marks posted something over the weekend that I thought was exceptional. Not often will you see something that contradicts commonly held translation and interpretation, and yet proves itself to actually be true on further examination.
I'm speaking specifically about the translation in Revelations that the Lord Jesus was writing "to the seven angels of the seven churches" in Asia Minor. The word in Greek is Αγγελος, which can be translated either "angel" or "messenger" depending on the context, since this is what one class of angels are.
But aside from only a few, nearly all translations of the Bible read "angels" in Revelation, Chapters 1-3 instead of messengers. Only the International Standard and God's Word translations render it accurately as follows:
"The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: the seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20)
By "messengers," the text is referring to the leaders of the churches, who would have not only been the ones to receive this letter but also been its readers to their congregations as well.
As shared in our discussion, while the letter reads several times, "Let him who has an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the seven churches," the excerpts themselves were actually addressed to these seven leaders. As Jesus told the leader in Sardis, "You (singular) have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." (Revelation 3:4). Because it is in the singular, these words were clearly addressed to an individual, not the congregation itself in Sardis *(though they were indirectly addressed as well, through the reader). The only question is, was it an angel the Lord was talking to or a messenger; a leader who would be charged with reciting this letter to the congregation?
I can make no legitimate sense of these letters being written to seven angels. Since when does the Lord write a letter to angels when He wants to address a church? But I throw this out there for anyone who wishes to present a case for the common translation. I'm personally at a loss, however, for how it makes any logical sense.
God bless, and thanks for reading.
Hidden In Him
I'm speaking specifically about the translation in Revelations that the Lord Jesus was writing "to the seven angels of the seven churches" in Asia Minor. The word in Greek is Αγγελος, which can be translated either "angel" or "messenger" depending on the context, since this is what one class of angels are.
But aside from only a few, nearly all translations of the Bible read "angels" in Revelation, Chapters 1-3 instead of messengers. Only the International Standard and God's Word translations render it accurately as follows:
"The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: the seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20)
By "messengers," the text is referring to the leaders of the churches, who would have not only been the ones to receive this letter but also been its readers to their congregations as well.
As shared in our discussion, while the letter reads several times, "Let him who has an ear to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying to the seven churches," the excerpts themselves were actually addressed to these seven leaders. As Jesus told the leader in Sardis, "You (singular) have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." (Revelation 3:4). Because it is in the singular, these words were clearly addressed to an individual, not the congregation itself in Sardis *(though they were indirectly addressed as well, through the reader). The only question is, was it an angel the Lord was talking to or a messenger; a leader who would be charged with reciting this letter to the congregation?
I can make no legitimate sense of these letters being written to seven angels. Since when does the Lord write a letter to angels when He wants to address a church? But I throw this out there for anyone who wishes to present a case for the common translation. I'm personally at a loss, however, for how it makes any logical sense.
God bless, and thanks for reading.
Hidden In Him