Ancient Mailbag: When Your Pastor Is The Son Of Man

In the Field Audio Bible: 00:46
As I sit in the hush of my cave, the Spirit draws my memory and vision across the sea, carrying me first to Ephesus. Ephesus—the jewel of Asia, a city where marble gleams in the sunlight and the harbor hums with the voices of every nation under heaven. I remember the press of the crowds in the agora, the scent of fresh figs and roasting lamb, the thunder of the Artemis procession winding through the colonnades. The great temple rises above the city, its columns crowned with gold, the laughter of priestesses echoing in the night.

In the Field Audio Bible: 03:48
Yet beneath the splendor, I recall the fellowship of the faithful—the brothers and sisters who welcomed me when I first arrived, their faces alight with the joy of newfound faith. We met in secret, in shadowed courtyards and candlelit rooms, our voices low but our hearts ablaze. I remember their questions, their hunger for the words of the Teacher, their tears of repentance, their boldness in the face of ridicule. I remember the day they burned their scrolls of magic, the flames leaping high as they turned from old ways to the living God. But I also sense the slow weariness that has crept in over the years. The city's noise, the endless demands of ministry, the subtle pull of compromise—these have dulled the sharp edge of their love. I feel their longing to recapture the wonder, the ache to remember why they first believed. My heart aches with them, for I, too, know how easy it is to lose sight of the One who first called my name. The vision shifts, and I am carried north to Smyrna—a city pressed between the mountains and the sea, her streets alive with the cries of merchants and the clang of shipwrights at dawn. The air is thick with the scent of myrrh, the bitter resin that gives the city its name, used to anoint both the living and the dead. I remember the faithful here—poor in the eyes of the world, yet rich in courage and hope. Their homes are simple, their tables sparse, but their hearts overflow with generosity. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 05:54
I recall the stories whispered in the night—of brothers and sisters dragged before the magistrate, of property seized, of families torn apart by accusation and slander. I see the scars on their hands, the lines of worry etched deep by suffering. Yet I also see the fire in their eyes, the unyielding joy that no enemy can crush. They gather in the shadows, singing hymns that rise above the city's clamor, their voices trembling, but unbroken. They know what it is to be tested, to stand faithful unto death, to trust that the crown of life awaits beyond the pain. From Smyrna, the vision sweeps inland to Pergamum—city of heights and shadows. I see it rising on its steep acropolis, crowned with temples to Zeus, Athena, and a hundred lesser gods. The air is heavy with incense, the cries of priests mingling with the bleeding of sacrificial animals. The library's scrolls fill the halls with the wisdom of ages, but the altars drip with blood, and the throne of Satan casts its shadow over all. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 07:20
I remember the faithful here—living in the very heart of idolatry, surrounded by temptation and threat. Their faith is a quiet rebellion, a lamp burning in a house of idols. I recall the stories of Antipas, faithful unto death, refusing to bow to Caesar or compromise the truth. I see the daily struggle—friends lost, livelihoods threatened, the constant pressure to blend in, to go along, to keep silent. Yet I also see their resolve, their love for the name of Jesus, their willingness to endure for the sake of the gospel. My spirit is carried onward to Thyatira—a city less grand, yet bustling with life and color. The streets are alive with the shout of merchants, the clatter of looms, the vibrant dyes staining wool and hands alike. Guild banners flutter in the breeze, each trade with its own god, its own feast, its own temptations. The faithful here walk a narrow path, balancing work and worship, loyalty to Christ and the demands of their city. I remember Lydia, the cellar of purple—her home open, her heart generous, her faith a seed that grew into a thriving fellowship. I see the faces of artisans and servants, women and men, all striving to live holy lives in a world that prizes profit and pleasure above all. I sense the subtle dangers—false prophets who promise freedom but lead astray, the pressure to join in feasts that dishonor the Lord. Yet I also see acts of love, service, and faith that shine in the darkness, a testimony to the One who searches hearts and minds. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 09:33
Each city, each church, is etched into my memory and my prayers. I feel their struggles as my own, their hopes and fears woven into the fabric of my exile. The Son of Man walks among them, His eyes blazing with holy fire, His words both warning and promise. He knows their deeds, their suffering, their endurance, their need for truth and love. And so, here in the silence of Patmos, I take up my stylus once more. The lamp flickers, the wind howls, but I am not alone. The Spirit guides my hand, and the voice of Jesus calls out—not just to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira, but to every heart that longs for hope, for courage, for the love that endures. Come, listen with me. The message is for you. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 10:45
Now, let's take a moment to quiet our hearts and listen to the Word itself. As you hear these verses, let them settle deep within you—bringing comfort when you are weary, conviction when you need direction, and encouragement for whatever lies ahead. Whether you are nestled in a quiet corner or moving through the busyness of your day, allow God's Word to meet you right where you are and speak to your soul in this very moment. I hope you have your favorite cup of tea or coffee. Sit back, relax, and let's step into the sacred text of The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapter 2.

In the Field Audio Bible: 11:47
The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapter 2 (NRSV):
  

The Message to Ephesus 

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 

2 "I know your works, your toil and your endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them to be false. 

3 I also know that you are enduring and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. 

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 

5 Remember, then, from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 

6 Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

7 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

The Message to Smyrna 

8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who was dead and came to life: 

9 "I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not but are a synagogue of Satan. 

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

11 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.

The Message to Pergamum

12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword: 

13 "I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is, yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you where Satan lives. 

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food, sacrifice to idols, and engage in sexual immorality. 

15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of Nicolaitans. 

16 Repent, then, if not, I will come to you and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. 

17 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

The Message to Thyatira 

18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze: 

19 "I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance. I know that your latest works are greater than the first. 

20 But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 

22 Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings, 

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. 

24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the 'deep things of Satan,' to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; 

25 only to hold fast to what you have until I come. 

26 To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, 
I will give authority over the nations, 

27 to rule them with an iron scepter, 
as when clay pots are shattered—

28 "even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers, I will also give the morning star. 

29 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

In the Field Audio Bible: 18:11
The lamp has nearly burned itself out, its last flame a trembling jewel in the hush of my cave. Shadows stretch long across the stone, and the sea outside is a dark, ceaseless song—sometimes gentle, sometimes crashing, always reminding me of the world beyond these rocky shores. My hand is cramped from writing, my body weary from the weight of the vision, but my spirit is restless, still caught in the swirl of memory and revelation. I set aside my stylus and let my gaze wander the uneven walls, each groove and crack familiar to my touch. The air is cool and tinged with salt, the faintest whiff of olive oil and charred wood from the fishermen's fires below. Somewhere in the distance, a nightbird calls—a lonely, plaintive note that echoes how exile shapes the soul. In this solitude, the faces of the churches come to me with piercing clarity, each one a living flame in the darkness. Ephesus. I see the city before me as if I am walking its marble streets again—the clatter of sandals, the vibrant colors of the market, the shouts of merchants honking their wares. The temple of Artemis looms above all, its columns catching the last peak light of dusk. I remember the brothers and sisters who gathered in secret, their eyes bright with the hope of new beginnings. I remember the joy in their worship, the trembling of their voices as they sang psalms in the shadow of the great goddess's shrine. I remember baptisms in the river, tears of repentance, laughter shared over simple meals. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 20:11
But I also sense the slow hardening that has crept in—the routines that have replaced wonder, the duties that have dulled delight. I ache for them to remember, to feel again the wild, reckless love that first drew them to Christ, to let themselves be undone by grace once more. Smyrna. The city clings to the mountainside, its harbor always alive with the creak of ships and the smell of tar and brine. I see the faithful there—faces lined by hardship, hands rough from labor, hearts rich with a treasure the world cannot measure. They gather in small rooms, candles flickering, voices hushed in prayer for those imprisoned or cast out. I remember the stories whispered in the night—of homes confiscated, of friends betrayed, of mothers comforting their children as soldiers bang on the door. Yet their eyes shine with a joy that suffering cannot quench. They share what little they have, breaking bread with trembling hands, singing hymns that rise above the insults and the threats. Their faith is a song in the night, a defiance of despair, a crowd awaiting them beyond the pain. I pray for them, for courage that does not falter, for hope that endures to the end. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 21:49
Pergamum. The city rises high, its acropolis crowned with temples and altars, the air thick with incense and the cries of priests. I remember the tension that runs like a current through the streets—the pull of power, the lure of compromise, the ever-present threat of accusation. I see the faithful who gather in shadowed courtyards, their loyalty to Christ a quiet rebellion against the empire's demands. I remember Antipas, whose faith cost him his life, and I feel the weight of his witness pressing on all who remain. The church here is beset on every side—by the seduction of false teaching, by the pressure to blend in, by the constant question: Will you stand firm when it costs you everything? Yet I see in them a courage that is forged in the fires of trial, a loyalty that is not easily broken. I pray they cling to the name of Jesus, that they wield the sword of truth with humility and strength. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 23:05
Thyatira. The city is alive with the sounds of industry—the hammering of metal, the whir of looms, the splash of dye, and vats of purple and crimson. I remember Lydia, whose home became a haven for the faithful, her hospitality a balm for weary souls. I see the artisans and merchants, men and women whose faith is tested daily by the demands of their guilds, by feasts and rituals that honor gods not their own. I sense the subtle dangers—voices that promise freedom but lead to bondage, temptations that masquerade as enlightenment. Yet I also see acts of love, service, and endurance that shine in the darkness. Their faith is not perfect, but it is real—growing, stretching, wrestling with the call to holiness. I pray they listen for the voice of the One who searches hearts, who sees every hidden struggle, every secret victory. I linger in the silence, letting these memories wash over me like the tide. Each church is a living—of faith and failure, of hope and heartbreak, of longing for a love that endures. The Son of Man walks among them, His presence both comfort and challenge, His words both balm and fire. He knows their deeds, their dreams, their deepest fears. He calls them not to perfection, but to return—to remember, to repent, to hold fast, to overcome. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 25:03
I feel the ache of distance, the longing to embrace these brothers and sisters once more, to speak words of encouragement face to face. Yet I know that the Spirit binds us together across the miles, across the years, across every barrier the world can raise. The lampstands still burn, their light trembling but unextinguished, their witness a beacon for all who wander in the shadows. As I prepare to rest, I look out over the moonlit sea, the waves glinting like silver beneath the stars. I am reminded that the story is not finished, that the vision is not yet complete. There are more churches to greet, more hearts to encourage, more warnings and promises to deliver. The Spirit stirs within me, urging me onward—to Sardis, to Philadelphia, to Laodicea. Each has their own burdens, their own battles, their own invitation to return and overcome. Let us journey onward together, following the voice of the Living One—onward, step by step, through the winding corridors of this revelation. The vision before us is not just a message for distant cities, but a living summons that crosses every border, every generation. Even now, as I sit in the hush of my cave, I feel the pull of the Spirit drawing us toward the next lampstands, each one flickering with its own story, its own struggle, its own hope. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 26:54
And so, as the night deepens and the lamp grows dim, I invite you to journey with me still. The revelation is not finished; its power is not spent. The voice of the Living One continues to ring out—across the centuries, across the world, across the secret places of every heart. It is a voice that remakes us, that calls us out of darkness and into light, that awakens us from slumber, strengthens us in weakness, stirs our hunger for what is true and lasting. Let us press into the next chapter together—hearing the words to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, allowing the living one to search our hearts, to call us forward, to shape us into a people who shine with the brightness of His dawn. For this revelation is not only a story of what was, but a living invitation to be remade, to be awakened, to become light—bearers in a world still longing for morning. 

In the Field Audio Bible: 28:20
Thank you for sharing this sacred moment with me as we explored these words of hope together. May these words take root in your heart, guiding you through the days ahead and reminding you that God walks beside you—in every challenge, every decision, and every act of faith. If today's reflection has brought you hope or comfort, I invite you to pass it along to someone who might need a gentle reminder of God's presence. And don't forget to join me next time as we continue this journey—growing together, deepening our faith, and remaining steadfast "in the field" of God's promises. Until next time, may you discover peace and quiet moments, trust the gentle call of God, and rest securely in his unchanging love. 

This is In the Field Audio Bible, where we Listen to the Bible One Chapter at a Time.