Further the visions are described—Rev. 1, 12–20. The image of the Son of Man – gigantic, extraordinary, with white hair, with fiery feet – is to some extent the antipode of the image, the gigantic statue denoting the pagan empire described in the book of the prophet Daniel. A gigantic idol with a golden head and feet of clay is a symbol of kingdoms, powers of this world, and this giant is opposed by another, like the Son of Man. In the same book of Daniel, it is said that these monstrous kingdoms will be replaced by the kingdom of the Son of Man.

And behold, here stands the Son of Man, like the high priest, in the garb of the high priest, because he is an intercessor for the people. His face is like the sun, shining in its power — this reminds us of the Transfiguration of Christ on the mountain. In His right hand are seven stars, and there are seven candlesticks, what do they mean? At the moment when the churches were persecuted, when Christians, as in our days, were thinking about what would happen to them, Christ showed that the churches were in His hands, like these stars. The seven churches, the seven stars, the seven candlesticks, the seven angels, are unshakable, because they were ordained by Christ. Unless they themselves betray Him, they will remain protected from all storms. And Christ stands among the lamps, and if we could somehow imagine it, then, of course, it would be a fiery vision: chalcolivan means molten copper, copper flowing like magma from a volcano, burning, shining. You may ask, what did the Apostle see, what was before his eyes? I think that it was an inner vision, and he only somehow tries to express it symbolically, as on an icon, and he could not find any other images here, except for such radiant, bright, fiery, dazzling images.

2

1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, Thus saith he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked, and I have tried those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and have found that they are liars; 3 Thou hast endured much, and hast patience, and hast laboured for my name's sake, and hast not fainted. 4 But I have this against thee, that thou hast forsaken thy first love. 5 Remember therefore whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the former works; but if not, I will come to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp from its place, if thou wilt not repent. 6 Yet it is good in thee, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

8 And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, Thus saith the first and the last, who was dead, and behold, he is alive: 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (yet thou art rich), and the reproach of those who say of themselves that they are Jews, and they are not, but a congregation of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of anything that you will have to endure. Behold, the devil will cast from among you into prison to tempt you, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, He that overcometh shall suffer no harm from the second death.

12 And to the angel of the church of Pergamos write, 'Thus saith he who has a sharp sword on both sides: 13 I know thy works, and that thou dwellest where Satan's throne is, and that thou keepest my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in the days in which my faithful witness Antipas is slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a little against thee, because thou hast there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to lead the children of Israel into temptation, that they should eat things sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication. 15 So you also have those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which I hate. 16 Repent; but if not, I will come to you quickly, and fight with them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, To him that overcometh I will give to eat the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth except him that receiveth.

18 And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write, 'Thus saith the Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like a chalcolivan: 19 I know thy works, and love, and service, and faith, and patience, and that thy last works are greater than the first.' 20 But I have little against thee, because thou sufferest Jezebel's wife, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and deceive my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she did not repent. 22 Behold, I cast her on her bed, and those who fornicate with her, into great tribulation, if they do not repent of their works. 23 And I will smite her children with death, and all the churches shall understand that I am the searcher of hearts and inward parts; and I will repay each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But to you, and to others who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this doctrine, and who do not know the so-called depths of Satan, I say that I will not lay any other burden upon you; 25 Only what you have, hold on until I come. 26 Whosoever overcometh and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power over the Gentiles, 27 and shall feed them with a rod of iron. as earthen vessels, they shall be broken, as I also received authority from my Father; 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Comment

Open. 2. "Write to the angel of the church of Ephesus..." What is an Angel of the Church? The prophet Daniel wrote that angels, that is, spiritual forces, rule over the nations, rule the nations. And this is a deep truth that not everyone understands now, but in fact it is very meaningful. Every group, every church has its own angels, there are some spiritual forces that govern them. And here these angels personify the community. So, here is an appeal to the community, or rather, to its representatives.

Эфес — место сосредоточения чернокнижия, оккультизма, всевозможной магии, место, где все время был соблазн увлечься астрологией, мантикой. /Мантика — практика гаданий, прорицаний./ Когда апостол Павел здесь проповедовал, обратившиеся иудеи принесли ему целую кучу магических рукописей, которые сожгли тут же, обещая ему прекратить все это волхвование. Кроме того, Эфес был местом бесконечного паломничества язычников в огромный мрачный храм Артемиды, где статуя с десятками грудей обозначала мать–кормилицу, стихию, мир, вселенную. Артемида привлекала к себе не только паломников, но и ремесленников, которые изготовляли тысячи макетов храма и этим жили. Когда апостол Павел там пытался проповедовать, как вы помните, озверевшие толпы несколько часов подряд выкрикивали лозунг города, девиз «Великая Артемида Эфесская». Когда они приходили в исступление, они могли скандировать этот девиз без конца, и апостола Павла они чуть не разорвали, и никто из постороних не мог понять, что происходит. И вот в этом городе язычников, магов и оккультистов возникает первая христианская община, с которой Павел был связан незадолго до этого, — и когда он отправлялся в свое последнее путешествие^ уже зная, что его ждет горький конец, он был с радостью встречен ефесянами на берегу моря; они проводили его до косы и посадили на корабль. Вот этому эфесскому христианскому обществу и пишет апостол.

Откр. 2, 1–2. Было такое мнение, что речь здесь идет о лжеапостолах, которые, прикрываясь авторитетом св. Иакова, брата Господня, объезжали эти места и заставляли всех верующих принимать закон Моисеев наряду с христианством, тем самым тормозя движение церкви. Это сомнительно, потому что в Эфесе большая часть обращенных склонялась скорее не к иудаизму, а именно к оккультизму, теософии и к язычеству. Поэтому эти лжеапостолы были скорее апостолами гностического толка, которые хотели соединить христианство с язычеством, но не добрым путем.

Откр. 2, 3–4. Прекрасные слова. Каждый человек, впервые встречаясь с Христом на своем жизненном пути, переживает момент первой любйи, а потом наступает период охлаждения. Так вот, всегда нужно помнить об этом периоде первой любви, не оставлять ее, все время стремиться к ней вернуться. И это одно из замечательных завещаний апостола.

Откр. 2, 5. Судьба церквей, судьба общин, судьба семей, судьба индивидуумов в христианстве зависит от их духовного состояния. Ибо мы знаем, что суд Божий был суров, и очень многие светильники были сдвинуты с места… Антиохийская церковь и другие крупнейшие центры христианства за свои грехи были «сдвинуты с места», и от них не осталось почти ничего. Практически исчезла и Константинопольская церковь, церковь второго Рима.

Откр. 2, 6. Было мнение, что речь идет о некой христианской секте, которую основал диакон Николай, поминаемый в Деяниях апостолов, но это утверждение ни на чем не основано. Единственное, что можно сказать, — что это было какое–то оккультное, теософское учение.