Daily Devotional For January 18, 2025
“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” Rev 1:11.
The seven churches are the first of a series of seven-fold visions in the Book of Revelation; seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowl-plagues. Each of these seven-fold visions is preceded by an introductory scene. For example, the vision of the seven letters (Revelation 2 and 3) is preceded by a vision of Christ among the seven lamp stands (Rev 1:12-20). The introductory scenes are like stage backdrops in front of which the actions of each vision take place. As a result, John Bowman (in The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible) persuasively sets out the thesis that Revelation is modeled on the form of an ancient Greek play, with seven acts and seven scenes played out against the backdrop of each vision’s introduction.1
In the Book of Revelation, then, God has used the familiar form of the drama to communicate a message about what is real in the universe. While actors speak of things that are not as if they were true, drama can be a powerful vehicle to express truth. A former student of mine, Dan, always wanted to become a famous actor. Perhaps that was why his sister Cindy said what she said at their father’s funeral. She observed to him that being a minister seemed a lot like theater.2
Somewhat to his surprise, Dan later entered ministry and found out that his sister was right in a way. He discovered that ministers play a role of great power and influence. They represent God to people. Ministers may have inappropriate thoughts at times, but they dare not act on them, or they will bring the name of Christ into disrepute among the weak, the young, or the unbelieving.
Ministers, therefore, play a role. They must set an example, because they represent Christ to the world. They must keep true to the script, and not goof around, flirt, or tease at the wrong time. At the same time they need to be accessible enough that people will share their pain with them. It’s a rather challenging task. So when Dan told Cindy that he had decided to become a minister, she said to him, “Good, Danny, that’s theater.”
The role of the Christian in a secular world is equally challenging. We must always act with the mission in mind, yet be accessible to those in need. Who is skillful enough to meet the challenge? No one, but with God all things are possible. He chose a murderer with a speech impediment to lead his people out of Egypt (Moses). He chose the runt of the litter to slay the giant (David). He was born in a manger, yet changed the world! He calls the unlikely to do what seems impossible. He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the ones He calls.
Lord, help me keep the mission in mind in all I do and say today.
1 John Bowman, “Revelation,” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, etc.
2 Based on an email from Dan Millen, October 18, 2002.