Who are the 'Rich' in Revelation 3?
📰The Bible is one of the best-selling and most widely distributed books in history, yet it is also considered to be among the least understood. The Bible, which is referred to as the New Covenant and Promise of God, in which 'the way to heaven and salvation' is presented, differs in theologians' interpretations that make it difficult to understand. These differing interpretations have been the cause of the rise of denominations with each one establishing their own doctrine. With the increase in online church services and gatherings resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there has been growing interest in the comparison of various church doctrine. This paper, therefore, attempts to provide readers with the opportunity to compare differing Biblical teachings without interpretation. Among a host of online sermons and Bible-based teachings, the contrasting doctrine between the established Church and Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which has drawn public interest throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, is hereby compared and summarised. Best efforts have been made to provide a summary of Shincheonji Church of Jesus' understanding of the Bible. Judgment as to what is right or wrong is left to the reader’s discernment.
"The 'rich' refers to the spiritually rich; that is, someone who thinks they possess much of the word and lacks nothing"
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony
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In today's material age, everyone dreams of becoming rich. In Revelation 3, Jesus said, "Buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich."
When we look at Revelation 3, the rich person is spiritually rich because of their knowledge of the Word. Gold, refined by fire, is the precious and unchanging Word of God.
Who is the rich man in this prophecy? Even in the world, a person who possesses much physical wealth such as gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones is said to be rich. In the same way, a person who possesses much spiritual wealth can be said to be spiritually rich.
When we look at Revelation 3, the rich person is spiritually rich because of their knowledge of the Word. Gold, refined by fire, is the precious and unchanging Word of God.
Who is the rich man in this prophecy? Even in the world, a person who possesses much physical wealth such as gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones is said to be rich. In the same way, a person who possesses much spiritual wealth can be said to be spiritually rich.
Who is the rich man in the main reference? In the book of Revelation, which records the events at the time of the Lord's Second Coming, the seven golden lampstands that prepare the way of the Lord, the seven stars of the Tabernacle Temple, or the seven messengers, appear first. However, the destroyer-like Nicolaitans entered this tabernacle and fed the seven stars food sacrificed to idols, which caused the seven stars to betray and be destroyed. At that time, Jesus appeared to John and told him to write a letter, which John sent to the seven stars who betrayed, urging them to repent.
Apostle John and the seven churches were used figuratively as the names of people and places of that time. The seven churches and the seven stars in the main reference are called a mystery or secret. That is why, at the time of the second coming, they do not refer to the actual seven churches of Asia Minor of that time, but to the tabernacle of the seven golden lampstands and seven angels that would appear. Moreover, a shepherd who assumes the role of Apostle John, a 'new John', would appear to testify to the realities he has seen and heard.
Apostle John and the seven churches were used figuratively as the names of people and places of that time. The seven churches and the seven stars in the main reference are called a mystery or secret. That is why, at the time of the second coming, they do not refer to the actual seven churches of Asia Minor of that time, but to the tabernacle of the seven golden lampstands and seven angels that would appear. Moreover, a shepherd who assumes the role of Apostle John, a 'new John', would appear to testify to the realities he has seen and heard.
The main reference records the content of what Jesus sent to the church in Laodicea through Apostle John. This messenger was at ease, thinking he had everything. But because he was neither cold nor hot, Jesus told him to be one or the other; otherwise, Jesus said he would vomit the messenger out of his mouth.
If that were to happen, wouldn't he become someone who would no longer belong to Jesus? That is why the messenger is urged to repent. What does it mean that the messenger of the Church in Laodicea considers himself rich? It means that he knows a lot about the word of God, which is likened to gold, silver, and treasure, so there is nothing lacking in his heart. But the reality of this type of person is that they are poor and do not have the word of truth. It has nothing to do with material richness.
In Revelation 6, when Jesus weighed the faith and deeds of the chosen people with the scale of the Word, there were such few people who had the seed of the Word that one denarius was likened to two pounds of wheat and six pounds of barley. Therefore, in order to help the secure and indolent messengers repent, Jesus made known their transgressions through John, and gave them warnings and admonitions.
2000 years ago, Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He also said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed. If you are a believer who hopes for heaven, you should not be rich and say that you know the kingdom of heaven, but you must seek and knock on the word of life to become a believer acknowledged by God.
You should not be content with what you have and become a complacent and indolent believer. Such a believer is like the one who took the one talent of gold he received from his master in Matthew 25 and buried it in the ground without making more out of it. The master calls this person a wicked and lazy servant, and this person becomes someone unable to participate in his master's feast and is driven out into the darkness.
At the end of the day, every believer must self-reflect and strive to be born again of water and the Holy Spirit. Also, Jesus tells us to buy gold refined in the fire and become rich. This gold is precious and unchanging, like pure gold that comes out of a furnace. What is this precious and unchanging word?
Jesus said that he would give the hidden manna, the food of eternal life, the word of revelation, to the one who fights and overcomes the destroyer-like Nicolaitans who entered the tabernacle of the seven golden lampstands. As promised, the new John, who defeated the Nicolaitans in Revelation 12, receives the open book of revelation from the angel in Revelation 10, eats it, and delivers it to the people, nations, languages and kings again. This new John is the one who saw and heard the reality that took place at the location of Revelation's fulfilment, and is the messenger of Jesus sent for the churches. Only through this new John can you hear the word of revelation. This word of revelation is the gold refined by the fire of Revelation 3.
"The 'rich' are wealthy people. The 'gold' that they must buy is faith in the Lord"
Korean Church
Pastor, Full Gospel Church
"Compared with our childhood, the Republic of Korea is enjoying incredible prosperity. Because people live much better than they used to, they feel very proud of their physical and social standing and they don't feel in need of God's help because they think they are doing well.
All that talk about being rich and prosperous and lacking nothing is just external and material - people who are spiritually poor, blind, and naked. The more we say we are materially wealthy and not in lack, the more spiritually poor we become.
Buy gold that has been refined by fire, and you will become rich. Gold that has been refined by fire speaks of faith; that is, faith in the Lord and faith tested in the fire. Does not Jesus give us faith as a gift? Have such faith and become rich, because faith is true wealth."
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