Servants vs Bondservants

[Nathan]

1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,

I believe this opening verse gives a great key as to why so many variations of interpretations and opinions have derived from this seemingly difficult and complex book.  It's not meant to be given to just anyone.  It's not meant to be given to every person who considers themselves to be religious.  It's not even written to those who have appointed or have been appointed to be authorities over others.  But it's written to servants.  Not just your average servant . .but a bond servant.

This verse is out of the New American Standard because it's one of the few that seem to grasp the difference between a servant and a bondservant.

A servant is one that is bound to a master as a slave through debt.  According to Jewish traditions . . . it was common if a man owed another more than he could pay, he would offer himself as a slave to the other to work off the debt he owed.  There were several ways this debt could be paid other than working it off.  For one, just as it was a law for every Jew to work his land for 6 years, but the 7th year, the land was to be left alone to rejuvinate itself and no grain or tilling was to take place.  However, if that land produced any kind of fruit of it's own accord, that could be collected by the owner so long as it was not cultivated before hand.  Just as the owner was to let the land rest on the 7th year, the same with any debts that were owed . . .the seventh year, the debt was to be cleared.

The other way to have this debt paid off, was by way of a kinsmen redeemer . . .but that's a whole other issue that isn't where I want to focus here.  Here I want to look at the first piece.  Because for those six years, the person was a slave to this master by way of debt.  At the end of the 6 years, the master would call the slave in and give him the option to either return back to his own life and start over . . .or . . .he could remain with the master he was a slave to for life.

To the outsider, this may sound crazy, why would anyone not want to return to their former life?  But often times, the slave would have built such a close relationship with his master over the course of the 6 years that he would feel he'd be much better off remaining with this master than he would returning home alone.  The relationship between slave and master would be so strong that the slave would forego his own freedom so that he could live under his masters protection for the rest of his life.

If that is the case, if the bond between slave and master is so great through the relationship of love over the course of the laboring years as a slave, that the slave chooses to remain a slave, then the master leads the slave to the doorstep of his house, and with an awl, he pierces the ear of this servant to the threshold of his house.  And for the rest of the servants life, he is a slave through this relationship of love for his master.

"This" is to whom Revelation is written to.  It's written to a people who no longer serve God because of a debt of sin that they couldn't pay off.  But it's written to a people who "had" a debt that was "already" paid off and now, not by works, but by relationship they "choose" to remain a slave to Christ.  It's that kind of intimacy that this book is especially written to.  Without the intimacy, this book is nothing but a book of doom and gloom.  But those who "knew" the master, saw this book as a celebration and even made it a hymnal. 

Somewhere between the original readers and us . . .something has gone dreadfully wrong.  If you read the mainline commentaries and traditional interpretations, all roads lead to a bloody, destructive and judgmental end.  But the revelation of Jesus Christ is just the opposite.  It's a book ceding life into it's reader rather than fear and death. 

It's no different than what Jesus did on the mount of transfiguration.  He hand-picked 12 disciples to establish a new and living way of spiritual government upon the hearts of men, but out of those 12, only 3 had the honor to "see" Christ in his glorified state.  And even then, their first response was to acknowledge and honor all three beings that were being illuminated to them . . .Moses, Elijah and Christ . .but they were immediately interrupted and charged that it's not law, (Moses) nor is it the prophetic (Elijah) but it is Christ alone that they/we are to give honor to. 

In the end, they were charged "not" to share these things with the other 12.  These disciples represent the church.  But not all of the church can see the glorified state of the reality of the kingdom.  There is an elite group that is chosen out from the select group called to follow after Christ.  Many are called, few are chosen.  For me, the reason why few are chosen is because of the many that are called into their salvation, only a few are willing to be led into the kingdom due to the stubbornness of those not willing to go into places they can't see or comprehend.  A greater measure of faith is required for those to see Christ more than just a redeemer, but see him as the light of Day . . .as a Day of light. 

This illumination doesn't come by natural means.  It comes only by way of revelation from the Father.  When we get this, we get the understanding of this book.  Until then, there will always be dissention between the ranks of people and denominations as to what the book  is actually about.  It's not about who's right and who's wrong, it's about the illumination of the light of Day.

[Molly]

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

    29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
         According to Your word;

    30For my eyes have seen Your salvation [Y'shuah],

    31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
    32A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
         And the glory of Your people Israel."

33And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

--Luke 2

[alihaymeg]

Nathan,

     Incredible stuff man! Amazing! That's it. It is those who have realized that they have been freed by their master but choose to remain a servant that are truly free. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

[Taffy]

Nathan,

     Incredible stuff man! Amazing! That's it. It is those who have realized that they have been freed by their master but choose to remain a servant that are truly free. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

yup ,the Bondservants have been released, Just seems some needed to be reminded of the fact, Not only in Revelation , but the throughout the New T :icon_flower:

[Molly]

23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

         'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,
         AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
    26'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,
         AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER
         AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'

27"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

29"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

--Acts 4

[Molly]

Acts 16:17
Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."



Romans 1

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
2which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, ....

7to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



Phil 1

1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.



James 1

1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.



Jude 1

1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

[Nathan]

Nathan,

     Incredible stuff man! Amazing! That's it. It is those who have realized that they have been freed by their master but choose to remain a servant that are truly free. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

yup ,the Bondservants have been released, Just seems some needed to be reminded of the fact, Not only in Revelation , but the throughout the New T :icon_flower:

That's the next part of this for me Taf, that it's not just Revelation . .but it's the entire Word that the bondservants have a different picture of as well.  I'm glad you're seeing it the same way.