To him that overcometh; the Balaamites and Nicolaitans, and do not give in to the doctrines and practices of the one, or of the other, whatever persecution and trouble he meets with, and endures on that account: will I give to eat of the hidden manna; Pergamum says, "Trust the Word of God to keep you strong and faithful," (Revelation 2:12-17). 1 'Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus and say, "Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives among the seven golden lamp-stands: 2 I know your activities, your hard work and your perseverance. PaganRome was indeed the hub of world commerce in its day, supported by its maritime trading empire around the Mediterranean, but Christian Rome isnotthe hub of world commerce. The theory is altogether inconsistent with Catholic dogma. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The alliance between the two in persecuting Christians broke down in A.D. 6670, when Rome and its allied forces conquered Israel and then destroyed, sacked, and burned Jerusalem, just as Jesus prophesied (Luke 21:524). 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues, with Interludes (, The Punishment of Babylon and the Destruction of Pagan Nations (. As an instance of a work evidently Divine, and yet other than miracle or prophecy, the council instances the Catholic Church, which, by reason of the marvellous manner of its propagation, its surprising sanctity, its inexhaustible fruitfulness in all good works, its catholic unity and its invincible stability, is a mighty and perpetual motive of credibility and an irrefragable testimony to its own divine legation (I. c.). Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! ii). 26To the victor,* who keeps to my ways* until the end. Among the pagans of the Roman Empire, the first day of each month was called "Emperors Day" in honor of the Roman Emperor. New Testament scholars Sherri Brown and Francis Moloney begin by orienting students to the world of the Bible, exploring contemporary methods for interpreting the biblical literature, and showing how the Old . This objection rests on a mere misunderstanding of what is signified by a mystery. 9:1). Why is God going to give us a white stone with a new name? In particular, we discuss how Baptism heals the wound of rejection . There is irrefutable evidence in Revelation 1718 (the chapters Fundamentalists love to quoteagainst the Catholic Church) that proves that it is impossible for the Catholic Church to be the Whore. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. It may however be further asked, whether the Christian Revelation does not receive increment through the development of doctrine. Is Leonard Cohens Hallelujah a Christian Song? . Even the forces of evil unwittingly carry out the divine plan (Rev 17:17), for God is the sovereign Lord of history. The principle is, however, sometimes applied with a less extensive signification. . Christ the king appears. Lord, When Did We See You Hungry or Thirsty or a Stranger or Naked or Ill or in Prison? This passage tells us several things about the Whore: (1) She is an international power, since she "sits on many waters," representing different peoples (17:15), and she has committed fornication with "the kings of the earth," and she has inflamed "the dwellers on earth" with her fornication. Cardinal Franzelin in his De Divina Traditione et Scriptura (pt. u, can. Revelation 19:6-10. It could even be political, since Jerusalem was the center of political power in Canaan and, under the authority of the Romans, it ruled a considerable amount of territory and less powerful peoples. Newman no less than his Jesuit contemporary teaches that the whole doctrine, alike in its later as in its earlier forms, was contained in the original revelation given to the Church by Our Lord and His Apostles, and that its identity is guaranteed to us by the infallible magisterium of the Church. It may be said that the overcomers receive the mark of identification or acceptance (the symbolic white stone) now in the present life. These can but symbolize the Unknowable; they can give us no real knowledge regarding it. 6 I saw that she was drunk, drunk with the blood of the saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her, I was completely mystified. It is the name of the One who leads the Church and directs and empowers our mission of building the Kingdom of God on earth. . It remains here to distinguish the Christian Revelation or deposit of faith from what are termed private revelations. Go To Revelation Index for the 22 Chapters. 8 'Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna and say, "Here is the message of the First and the Last, who was dead and has come to life again: 9 I know your hardships and your poverty, and -- though you are rich -- the slander of the people who falsely claim to be Jews but are really members of the synagogue of Satan. 1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 16Therefore, repent. ii). Revelation 2:17 records Jesus words written to the church in Pergamos near the end of the first century. Here the world no longer opposed the church, instead . I will also give each one a white stone with a new name written on it. c. (b) Positive internal criteria are of various kinds. IDENTITY 3 - Revelation 17:4 .'And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.'. Revelation - Chapter 2. 17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Save: $7.51 (30%) Catholic doctors have always recognized its value. * [2:8] Smyrna: modern Izmir, ca. Faith, they admitted, must be presupposed before the miracle can be accepted. New Revised Standard VersionLet anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 3:12 He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God: and he shall go out no more. No reasonable man will maintain that in the case of the greater part of mankind this is possible. Practical Practice of Fasting with Fr Dwight Longenecker, 10 important things to consider during Lent, The Happy Priest on Lent, Happiness and the Call to Selfless Love, Daily Readings for Wednesday, March 01, 2023, St. David: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, March 01, 2023, Lenten Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Monday, February 27, 2023. Suffering, persecution, even death by martyrdom, though remaining impenetrable mysteries of evil, do not comprise an absurd dead end. 18 'Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira and say, "Here is the message of the Son of God who has eyes like a burning flame and feet like burnished bronze: 19 I know your activities, your love, your faith, your service and your perseverance, and I know how you are still making progress. A. . The other six churches were located in the same province, situated roughly in a circle; they were selected for geographical reasons rather than for the size of their Christian communities. he name of Jesus proclaims His humanity and His divine mission to seek and save the lost. One such is found in the beneficent effects of the doctrine and in its power to meet even the highest aspirations which man can frame. There can be no question as to its necessity, if it be admitted that God destines man to attain a supernatural beatitude which surpasses the exigencies of his natural endowments. Though the perspective is eschatologicalultimate salvation and victory are said to take place at the end of the present age when Christ will come in glory at the parousiathe book presents the decisive struggle of Christ and his followers against Satan and his cohorts as already over. * [2:1829] The letter to Thyatira praises the progress in virtue of this small Christian community (Rev 2:19) but admonishes them for tolerating a false prophet who leads them astray (Rev 2:20). And to him I will give the morning star. The origin of this erroneous doctrine is to be found in the fact that within the sphere of the natural speculative reason, truths which are received purely on external authority, and which are in no way connected with principles already admitted, can scarcely be said to form part of our knowledge. The Book of Revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for Christians of all time. 17 Let anyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: to those who prove victorious I will give some hidden manna and a white stone, with a new name written on it, known only to the person who receives it.". I know you cannot stand wicked people, and how you put to the test those who . God, who through the Word creates all things (see John 1:3) and keeps them in existence, gives men an enduring witness to Himself in created realities (see Rom. For men to be able to attain such a knowledge of the natural law as will enable them to order their lives rightly, the truths of that law must be so plain that the mass of men can discover them without long delay, and possess a knowledge of them which will be alike free from uncertainty and secure from serious error. * [2:20] The scheming and treacherous Jezebel of old (cf. [2:7] 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Mt 11:15. d. [2:14] Nm 2224; 25:13; 31:16; 2Pt 2:15; Jude 11. However, determining what, Could this new name, whether its written on a stone,writtenupon a Christian, or written on Kingdom Jews, be Jesus new name as He spoke of in Revelation 3:12 (My new. 1:19+), John now records "the things which are" Jesus' assessment of the condition of the Seven Churches of Asia at the time John wrote. Where did OT Saints go at death? Even the most vital truths are called in question and are met by serious objections. The truth of the teaching of the council regarding external criteria is plain to any unprejudiced mind. The angel also interprets for John the meaning of the Beasts ten horns: And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email). To this class may be assigned all those whose objections are based on Kantian and Hegelian doctrines as to the subjective character of all our knowledge. As content, it is "the deposit of faith," the revealed truth concerning faith and morals. Those who remain steadfast in their faith and confidence in the risen Lord need have no fear. Nevertheless, there are definite linguistic and theological affinities between the two books. 1* To the angel of the church* in Ephesus,* write this: The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear let him (Rev. In the case of the former, the dominion would be political; in the case of the latter, it could be a number of things. Jesus himself answered the question: If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household (Matt. 15Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of [the] Nicolaitans. SORT ORDER: Canonical | Alphabetical Books of the Bible in Canonical Order Old Testament Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samue. Those who adopt this standpoint rely in the main on two fundamental objections: they either urge that the miraculous is impossible, and that Revelation involves miraculous interposition on the part of the Deity; or they appeal to the autonomy of reason, which it is maintained can only accept as truths the results of its own activities. I cap. 2I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. The triumph of God in the world of men and women remains a mystery, to be accepted in faith and longed for in hope. AUTHOR. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. The fact that Revelation is not merely possible but morally necessary is in itself a strong argument for the existence of a revelation, and imposes on all men the strict obligation of examining the credentials of a religion which presents itself with prima facie marks of truth. In theological terminology a conception involves a mystery when it is such that the natural faculties of the mind are unable to see how its elements can coalesce. John 6:48-58 I am the bread of life. The word translated "white" in Revelation 2:17 is leukos and can also mean "brilliant, bright." This interpretation holds that on the stone is written the name of Christ, not the name of the believer. John, identified as one "who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:1-2). (REVELATION 2:12-17) The church in Pergamos signifies the condition of the church from the fourth century to the seventh century. Again, the Bible doesnt tell us. * I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.b It could be a reference to the manipulation by certain Jews and Jewish leaders of gentiles into persecuting Christians. the world hates you. On the Lord's Day: When is the Lord's Day? Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Jezebel is associated with a religious system promoting false teaching (Revelation 2:20). Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the Whore is Jerusalem and the Beast is Rome (with the ten horns as vassal states), then the prophecy makes perfect sense. The Apocalypse, or Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. 1907). These are distinguished into negative and positive criteria. What significance do colors have in the Bible? . All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. He that hath an ear, let him hear. Why Did God Create Man Knowing MAN WOULD SIN? For this the majority of men have neither inclination nor opportunity. Lord, When Did We See You Hungry or Thirsty or a Stranger or Naked or Ill or in Prison? In other words, Revelation is morally necessary. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. So what might that new name be? presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors. Thus, whenever there has been question of defining a doctrine, whether at Nicaea, at Trent, or at the Vatican, the sole point of debate has been as to whether the doctrine is found in Scripture or in Apostolic tradition. To the Church in Thyatira (Rev. I will tell you the meaning of this woman, and of the beast she is riding, with the seven heads and the ten horns. >>Click here to get equipped with encouraging and empowering Biblical truth andwisdom from Reasons for Hope*Jesus. It also had an outstanding library (the word parchment is derived from its name). 70 Bay 47th Street. Is there a hidden message in the names in Revelation 7? All Reading Plans / Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous) / Psalm 86:11-17 (Give strength to your servant); Genesis 16:1-15 (The birth of Ishmael); Revelation 2:1-7 (Remember from what you have fallen) ( English Standard Version) June 26, 2023. We continue to reach people worldwide with the truths of God's Word and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. * [2:23] Children: spiritual descendants. * [2:13:22] Each of the seven letters follows the same pattern: address; description of the exalted Christ; blame and/or praise for the church addressed; threat and/or admonition; final exhortation and promise to all Christians. That Beast was a major pagan empire, since its symbolism combined animal elements from four other major pagan empires (compare Rev. When John introduces the Whore in Revelation 17, he tells us: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who is seated upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and with the wine of whose fornication the dwellers on earth have become drunk. And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. It can hardly be questioned that the autonomy of reason furnishes the main source of the difficulties at present felt against Revelation in the Christian sense. To assume, with certain Rationalists, that exceptional intervention can only be explained on the ground that God was unable to embrace His ultimate design in His original scheme is a mere petitio principii. martyrs of Jesus. (Note that the Whore also sits on many waters, which we are told are many peoples [cf. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God. (By MYRA KELLY.) Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Additionally, weshould note that Jews in the Kingdom Age will also receive a new name: Isa 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory. Christs overwhelming defeat of the kingdom of Satan ushered in the everlasting reign of God (Rev 11:15; 12:10). Granted the presence of the negative criteria, external guarantees establish the Divine origin of a revelation as nothing else can do. It is in this book that the victory of God as the God of history is seen in the culmination of the ages and the establishment of the eternal state. 17:15]. <. Whatever the new name might be or might signify, and for whatever reason only the person who has the new name will know it, what we do know is that it will be. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. We are told that the heads are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come. 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