Observation: John begins Revelation with context about its origin and purpose. It was shown to him and intended to be read aloud by many people (vs 1-3), is being included in a letter from him to the churches (vs 4-8), and this occurred while he was in exile and meditating in Patmos (vs 9-10). With this context, the Son of Man - Jesus - arrives and commands John to write what he is told, and the description of the Jesus is that he is dressed in glory standing among seven lampstands and holding seven stars. Jesus himself says these lampstands are the seven churches to be addressed, and the stars are the spirit that exists in those churches.
In other words, Jesus is among and near those churches. He is within them and interacting with them, and he is even in connection with the Holy Spirit that guides the activities of those churches. Now Jesus wants to give those churches guidance, correction, encouragement, and instruction. However, he chooses not to communicate with the churches directly, or to have the Holy Spirit that is within those churches deliver the message directly. Instead, he goes to John, commanding John to write an open letter to all of them.
There are three likely reasons why the Lord chose this 'indirect' method of communicating to the churches. First, these words - the commendations, the corrections, and the encouragement - are not just for any individual church. Rather, they are for the universal Church, for all time. Telling the seven congregations their one message would have ended the communication and not created a scenario for it to permeate through the entire body of Christ, across all time. Second, the bulk of this letter - the end-time revelation - is complex and nuanced, and required a very faithful prophet to receive and trust it. John was able to faithfully receive and record it, but likely other church leaders would have struggled. By delivering the prophesy through a senior leader who would both be trusted throughout history and who himself would act in full faith, it ensured proper delivery through the ages.
And lastly ... John needed encouragement. He was in exile "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus". John had been such a faithful servant of the Lord that the government removed him from the field of play so to speak. He wasn't just imprisoned as Paul had been (who was still effective in converting believers even from prison), and he wasn't martyred as Peter had been (whose very death inspired belief). John was put on an island to disappear, losing all influence and interaction with the world. This prophesy delivered to him here would be one final way he could serve God, with a long-term impact for Jesus' glory. John was, in fact, so loved, that even in his isolation the Lord gave him one more way to be part of his plan.
Application: The Lord speaks to people directly about their lives and circumstances, but I do know he also often speaks through others. I have been a part of both sides of those conversations. It is good to know that the Lord uses third parties to deliver messages because sometimes it is that third party who is in need of participating in the Lord's work.
I often feel that way ... that I struggle to find value in the work I do for the Lord. Being able to deliver words to others - words provided by the Holy Spirit - helps in this.
Prayer: Lord, I know you have given me words of knowledge for others on at least two occasions. I thank you for that, not only for the sake of those people but for my own as well. May I have the boldness and courage to serve you as you would have me serve you, today, this month, and forever. Amen.
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