Revelations on Revelation: Part 4

When Jimmy Carter was president, back in the late 1970’s, something happened that plagued the later part of his first and only term. Do you  remember what that was? Right—the Iranian Hostage Crisis. Our embassy there was taken over and 66 of our people were held hostage; 52 of them were held for 444 days! They were eventually released on January 20, 1981, just a few minutes after a new president, Ronald Reagan, was inaugurated.

What you might not know is that among the hostages was a certain Marine sergeant who happened to be Latino. He had been stationed there to help protect the embassy. Things were not looking very good at all for them. They lived under the constant threat of being executed. So, on the prison wall of their cell he wrote this in Spanish: “Viva la America!”

Does anyone know what that means? Yes—“Long live America!” Why do you think he wrote that? Yes—to bolster the spirits of his fellow captives. He was trying to tell them to hang in there. Things did look back but they could not give up or give in. They were American citizens! They had to keep the faith that they would not ultimately be abandoned by their country. They just had to be patient, to endure, to keep the faith.

This Marine sergeant spoke English. Why did he write his message in Spanish? I think it was because he knew his fellow hostages would understand what he wrote but that it wasn’t likely their captors would. They didn’t speak Spanish. He used that language to communicate a hidden message of hope and encouragement to his fellow prisoners. In other words, you might say he used a code. 

In 2002, a movie came out entitled, “Windtalkers.” It was based on real persons during World War II. In the film, another Marine sergeant is assigned to protect a Navajo code talker. In Arizona, we’re familiar with the Navajo nation. Because their language is complicated and was totally foreign to the Japanese, Navajos were recruited to transmit and interpret military messages. The Japanese were never able to break this code. The Navajo “Windtalkers” had a vital role in winning World War II!  

What is the purpose of a code?—to conceal and reveal; to communicate with your friends but confuse any enemies who might intercept the message. 

In a way, what the Marine sergeant and the Navajo code talkers did was what John was seeking to do. He wanted to convey a message of hope and encouragement to his fellow Christians who were suffering horribly under the Romans. But how could he do that in a way that his own people could understand but not their enemies? The answer—their own kind of code—apocalyptic! Apocalyptic language and literature, which John and his people knew very well, became their Spanish, their Navajo! Christians could read it and find great comfort and a powerful message in it. But any Roman coming across it would most likely ignore it as simply religious gibberish. John had some very harsh things to say about the Romans, especially the emperor, and it would not have been good for him or his fellow sufferers to have their enemies know what he was actually saying. So, the Book of Revelation can be seen as a code.  

We need to remember as we read and try to understand Revelation that John does not intend these images and numbers to be taken literally. Each one has a meaning for him and his readers. So to take everything he writes literally is to be utterly confused and misunderstand his message, which is exactly what he wanted when it came to their enemies. 

John realizes that some of his readers might be confused by what he says. So, a few times in this book he actually tells them what certain parts of the code mean. For example, in the very first chapter of Revelation John, in code, mentions several times the “seven stars” and the “seven golden candlesticks or lampstands.” In the very last verse of that chapter, verse 20, he writes this: 

As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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. 

Now we can know whenever John refers to “seven golden lampstands” he is talking about the church, God’s people. In fact, in chapters 2-3, we read his letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. Referring to them as “golden lampstands” is saying that they were precious, valued to him and especially to God, even of more worth than gold. Referring to them as “lampstands” brings to mind the words of Jesus about his followers letting their light shine so the whole world can see it. John also is using a very old Jewish image here – the  menorah, a lampstand that has seven candles on it that is still used today in Jewish temples and synagogues, as it stands for the people themselves. In other words, “lampstand” is a code or symbol for God’s people and their mission in the world – to be light bearers! 

But what of these “seven stars” who we are told mean “the angels of the seven churches”? That’s part of the code we really have to work at and still can’t be fully confident that we understand. I believe John is referring to the leaders of the church—pastors, teachers, elders. And by saying “seven,” a number that always means for John “complete” or “whole,” He isn’t talking to seven individuals but to all leaders in all churches. John realizes that they provide a key for the survival and well-being of the church. They are the ones upon whom he has to depend to share the message of keep up the hopes and faith of their people in such desperate times. As the leaders go, so usually would the churches! 

Let’s look at another example—verses 12 and following. John has a vision of a wondrous being. This person wears a dazzling white robe with a gold sash. His hair is brilliant white also. His eyes are piercing like fire. His feet are like polished bronze, that is, powerful, strong. His words were more powerful than the ocean or the sharpest two-edged sword. He walks among the seven golden lampstands and holds the seven stars in his right hand – the hand of power. And he is called, “The Son of Man.” This is the one who was dead and yet is alive, who holds the keys to death and eternal life. John is so taken by this vision that he falls to his feet and is told, “Do not be afraid.” 

This is a vision of the risen, glorified Lord, Jesus, in his entire splendor. John wants them to see this Jesus, too. He wants to remind them of just who they are serving, and to hear and believe, “Do not be afraid.”  

Throughout this book, John is contrasting Christ with the Roman emperor, who must surely have been an imposing figure in all his royal regalia. I mean, Caesar was the ruler of the known world! His word carried life or death. He had massive armies at his disposal. How in the world could tiny little Christians ever stand a chance against the greatest power on earth?  John is telling them that Caesar, for all his glory and power, pales in comparison to the One who is truly the ruler of all, the One who has even conquered death. 

This One walks among the “seven golden lampstands,” that is, as we just discovered, means the churches! This majestic One isn’t up there somewhere, has not abandoned them but is right there among them. And the seven stars, which John says are the seven angels, which likely means the pastors and leaders of the church, are held in the right hand of this mighty One!  

John wants his readers to focus on this great truth – that they are ultimately in the hands of the risen, glorious Lord, no matter how it might seem otherwise. John wanted them to call to mind this great vision of Christ when they were being tested and tempted. Though it cost them dearly to do so, they were to continue to place their lives and their faith in this One, the One of whom even the Roman emperor would sooner or later how to bow before, the One who is truly the King of kings, and Lord of Lords! Remember this when great armies of adversity march seemingly march against you! Remember this when circumstances beyond your control would overwhelm you—don’t be afraid! For the majestic Son of Man walks among you and is by your side every step of your journey.