W. Carrion
[Nota del editor, 2025: Consulte al archivo PDF original para ver un diagrama completa de los capítulos 2 y 3 de Apocalipsis. Se puede descargar el archivo original seleccionando “Descargar en PDF” en el menú desplegable titulado “Descargar libro ... ” en la parte superior de la página principal del número 2 de esta revista].
Dios a más de haberse hecho conocer por medio de Sus obras en la creación, se ocupa aquí y en todas las páginas de la Biblia, de la revelación de Sí mismo.
No hay duda de que todo aquel que desea, puede recibir la revelación que Dios quiere darnos. El secreto del conocimiento divino está basado en anhelar hacer la voluntad de Dios; con un espíritu de humildad y sencillez tratemos de comprender que la voluntad de Dios sea lo que debe ser, no lo que nosotros pensamos que debe ser. “Las cosas no son todas como uno cree que son”.
“Te alabo, oh Padre ... porque escondiste estas cosas de los sabios y entendidos, y las has revelado a los niños. Si Padre, porque te agradó ... Bienaventurados los ojos que así ven lo que vosotros veis; porque os digo que muchos profetas y reyes desearon ver lo que veis, y no lo vieron; o oír lo que oís, y no lo oyeron” (Lucas 10:21,23-2421In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10:21)
23And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Luke 10:23‑24)).
Estamos conscientes que no es fácil comprender en su totalidad el contenido intrínseco de este mensaje. Debemos rescatar las enseñanzas del nuevo testamento, captar la sencillez, el celo, el amor y la espiritualidad de la Iglesia como existían en los tiempos apostólicos y compararlo con la condición de la Iglesia profesante hoy en día, sin quitar la mirada de Quien amó a la Iglesia y se entregó a Sí mismo por ella.
A través del tiempo se han dado varias maneras de comprender estos mensajes. Para ayudar al lector queremos referirnos a tres de estas formas de interpretación:
a. Cronológica: Cada mensaje representa distintos períodos de la historia de la Iglesia, desde la apostólica hasta la Iglesia apóstata.
b. Contemporánea: Es para las iglesias geográficamente nombradas.
c. Compuesta: Es para cada iglesia en cualquier época.
Sin inclinarnos a ninguna de ellas debemos decir que si estudiamos desde los tres puntos de vista, vamos a recibir la bendición que Dios tiene preparado para los que le aman.
Una ayuda práctica será también conocer el significado de los nombres de las iglesias y la característica principal de cada una. [Nota del editor, 2025: A continuación se indica el nombre de la iglesia; luego, el significado del nombre; y, por último, la característica principal de esa iglesia].
• Éfeso (Apocalipsis 2:1-71Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:1‑7)): Amado, deseable, paciente; Perdió su primer amor
• Esmirna (Apocalipsis 2:8-118And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:8‑11)): Mirra, amargura o tribulación; Perseguida, fiel en la prueba
• Pérgamo (Apocalipsis 2:12-1712And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:12‑17)): Torre alta, fortificado, elevado; Demasiado tolerante
• Tiatira (Apocalipsis 2:18-2918And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28And I will give him the morning star. 29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:18‑29)): Sacrificio perpetuo, ofrenda continua; Transigente
• Sardis (Apocalipsis 3:1-61And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:1‑6)): Príncipe de gozo, renovación; Dormido
• Filadelfia (Apocalipsis 3:7-137And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:7‑13)): Amor fraternal; Con oportunidad de servicio, fidelidad en la debilidad
• Laodicea (Apocalipsis 3:14-2214And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:14‑22)): Justicia y reinado del pueblo, pueblo justo; Satisfecho de sí mismo