In this episode, we explore Chapter 2 of the Book of Revelation with Irish Scripture Scholar, Frances Hogan. We see what Jesus does in his discernment about the health of the church. There is going to be a new era of the Kingdom of God on earth, a time when the “Our Father” will be fulfilled and God’s will take place on earth.

The messages to the 7 churches deal with the daily life of that particular church; it deals with the decisions and the consequences that follow. The message comes from Christ and it is delivered to St. John; through him, it is given to the congregation. They all begin with “Thus says the Lord…” and ends with an exhortation.

We see that each church is different and receives an individual message; an aspect of Jesus’ vision mentioned in Chapter 1 is reflected in each of the churches (presenting the mystery of Christ to the world) St. Paul urged Ephesus to reach perfection in love; St. Timothy and St. John urged them to do the same. The Blessed Mother was also brought to live here until her Assumption. Despite their leadership in love, this is what Ephesus fails in - love. 

The essence of Christianity is love and Jesus who was incarnate love will not support a loveless body.

Bible References:

• Rev. 19:8 - The church has made herself ready
• John 14:1-2 - The Jewish wedding where the bridegroom would go away and then come back to bring his bride
• Eph. 6 - Fight the good fight wearing all the armor of Christ
• Acts 19, 20 - St. Paul, the missionary of love
• Eph. 3:14-21 - St. Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus 
• 1 Tim. 1:3 - St. Timothy was a Bishop to Ephesus 
• Rev. 1:18 - Jesus is the living one and Ephesus is the dead one
• Matt. 18:20 - If two gather in Jesus’ name, He will be present in their midst
• Rev. 1:14 - The burning eyes of Jesus
• Acts 20:17-28 - St. Paul’s warning to the church in Ephesus
• Acts 20:28 - “Be on your guard”
• Jer. 2:2 - Jeremiah’s lamentation when they lacked love in the Old Testament
• Hos. 2:14-15 - Lamentation over lost first love
• 1 John 4:7 - God is love
• Matt. 24:9-13 - Love is the greatest law
• John 13:34 - Jesus commanded us to love one another
• John 15:9 - Agape love
• Jer. 2:13 , Hos. 2:15 , Jg. 8:34 - When people forget God, they fall into immorality and idolatry
• 2 Cor. 11:14-15 - False prophets
• John 16:33 - “I have overcome the world” 

Scripture Scholar, Frances Hogan, takes you to the world of the Apocalypse of John shown to us in the Book of Revelation written from the Greek island of Patmos. Through this podcast, we will try to understand the Book of Revelation through St. John’s warnings, the punishment that awaits, and the consolation the Lord offers to the faithful.

Frances Hogan: https://www.franceshogan.com/

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

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