Fr. Abraam Sleman's Blog

  The Throne of God (Rev. 4:1–11) The New Testament records two people who ascended to heaven in visions, Saul and John. In (2 Cor. 12), The apostle Paul wrote of being caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible words (2 Cor. 12:4). However, he could not speak of what he saw there. The apostle John also had the privilege of visiting heaven. Unlike Paul, John could describe his vision in figurative language, which he did in chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation. After John saw “the One like the Son of Man” (Rev. 1:9–20), received the seven-letter to the angels of the churches (Rev. 2 and 3), He saw God’s throne (Rev. 4:1-11). The Bible refers to “heaven” more than five hundred times. In addition, Paul and Ezekiel wrote some detailed descriptions of it (2 Cor. 12; Ezek. 1). Yet, the description of heaven in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 is the most complete and informative in all of Scripture.  Circumstances of the Vision 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door s

 The Letter to Laodicea (Rev. 3:14–22) Laodicea was one of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 3:14). The site of Laodicea is now a deserted heap of ruins that the Turks call “Eski Hisar” or “Old Castle.” The words of the risen Christ to Laodicea, in (Rev. 3:14–22) contain allusions to the city’s economic prosperity and social prominence.  The apostle Paul does not seem to have visited Laodicea at the time he wrote Col. 2:1. Epaphras, Tychicus, Onesimus, and Mark seem to have been the early messengers of the gospel there (Col. 1:7; 4:7–15). Paul’s letter addressed to the Laodiceans (Col. 4:16) has been lost; some consider it a copy of the Ephesian letter.  In the Book of Revelation, this congregation consisted of lukewarm Christians (Rev. 3:14–22). But, the living Lord demands enthusiasm and total commitment from those who worship Him.   The Correspondent 3:14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Begi

  The Letter to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7–13) Philadelphia (brotherly love) was a city of the province of Lydia in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was one of the seven churches of Asia to which John wrote in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:11). In Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ describes the church in Philadelphia as the faithful church and the church that stood at the gateway of a great opportunity (Rev. 3:7–13). Christ said to this church, “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” (Rev. 3:8). The “open door” primarily means access to the presence of the Father. It also refers to the opportunity for spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Still, a city of considerable size, Philadelphia is known today as “Alasehir,” or “Allah-shehr,” “the City of God.” [1] The Correspondent 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shut