Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
What Word Do You Need To Hear?
The “apostle of love” spoke eloquently, practically, and frequently of God’s agape love. God’s mind over emotion was learned by His children. His love was beyond conventional wisdom and appearance. John wrote deeply on love, that is, until his last writing, the Revelation. There, surprisingly, that divine word, with Jesus speaking it, appears only twice. One positive; one negative.
[ ] Rev 2:4: “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.” (CSB)
[ ] Rev 2:19: “I know your works — your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.” (CSB)
The way the CSB punctuates Revelation 2:19, love is a work as is faithfulness, service, and endurance. Love as a work can grow greater, or be abandoned.
Why is love so infrequently spoken of in Revelation? I don’t know. Maybe it is because that is not the word these Christians needed desperately to hear. Overwhelmingly, another word is used, translated variously as overcomes, conquers, victory, and such. During a time I cannot pretend to understand, during a time wherein they were reliving the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, these stalwart followers needed another word. What these Believers needed knowing, was not that they needed to love; but that the one whom they love had not forgotten them, and contrary to appearance, they would share His victory. What word do you need to hear?
Comments