July 2001

BOOK OF REVELATION      (continued from previous issue)
By Carlos Mesters


Seven hints for reading and studying the seven letters

  1. Size up the situations in the communities
    What is the positive and negative in each community? On which point must each strive to make greater efforts? What dangers threaten it? Compare with situation today.


  2. Facing the situation
    In what way does John ask them to face their situation? What resources does each community have to overcome its problems? And what about us? How do we face our problems today?


  3. Be nourished from the Old Testament
    Which passage and events of the Old Testament are quoted or evoked in each letter? What elements from the past does John reawaken in the people? How can we today recall the memory and find again the presence of God in our history?


  4. Deepen your faith in Jesus
    What titles is Jesus given in each letter? What is the power and meaning of each title for the life of the people? Compare with the titles which we commonly give to Jesus nowadays.


  5. Savour the images and the metaphors
    What are the metaphors and images used in each letter? From where are they drawn - from the Old Testament, from life, from nature, from the culture of the people? In the promises to the steadfast, the seven letters indicate the following images: the tree of life (2:7), God's paradise (2:7), the second death (2:11), the hidden manna (2:17), the white stone (2:17), the new name (2:17; 3:12), the iron sceptre (2:27), the clay pots (2:27), the morning star (2:28), the white robe (3:5), the book of life (3:5), the column in the temple of God (3:12), the new Jerusalem (3:12) and sitting with Jesus on the throne of the Father (3:21). These few examples give an idea of the rich images contained in these seven letters.


  6. Get courage from the promises to the unconquered
    What promises does each letter make to the steadfast? In what way does a promise help to carry on the struggle and bear up with the persecution? Which promise can encourage us, today, in our own situation?


  7. Imitate the example of John
    Let us get information about the concrete situation of the communities. From time to time let us gather together and write a short letter to another community which is in need of comfort.




. . . to be continued  

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