top of page
검색

20241120 [새벽묵상] 교회를 끝까지 승리하도록 격려하시는 그리스도 | Christ, who encourages the Church to triumph until the end (계/Rev 2:1~11)



2:1 에베소 교회의 사자에게 편지하라 오른손에 있는 일곱 별을 붙잡고 일곱 금 촛대 사이를 거니시는 이가 이르시되

2:2 내가 네 행위와 수고와 네 인내를 알고 또 악한 자들을 용납하지 아니한 것과 자칭 사도라 하되 아닌 자들을 시험하여 그의 거짓된 것을 네가 드러낸 것과

2:3 또 네가 참고 내 이름을 위하여 견디고 게으르지 아니한 것을 아노라

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 and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.


2:4 그러나 너를 책망할 것이 있나니 너의 처음 사랑을 버렸느니라

2:5 그러므로 어디서 떨어진 것을 생각하고 회개하여 처음 행위를 가지라 만일 그리하지 아니하고 회개하지 아니하면 내가 네게 가서 네 촛대를 그 자리에서 옮기리라

2:6 오직 네게 이것이 있으니 네가 니골라 당의 행위를 미워하는도다 나도 이것을 미워하노라

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.


2:7 귀 있는 자는 성령이 교회들에게 하시는 말씀을 들을지어다 이기는 그에게는 내가 하나님의 낙원에 있는 생명나무의 열매를 주어 먹게 하리라

7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.


2:8 서머나 교회의 사자에게 편지하라 처음이며 마지막이요 죽었다가 살아나신 이가 이르시되

2:9 내가 네 환난과 궁핍을 알거니와 실상은 네가 부요한 자니라 자칭 유대인이라 하는 자들의 비방도 알거니와 실상은 유대인이 아니요 사탄의 회당이라

2:10 너는 장차 받을 고난을 두려워하지 말라 볼지어다 마귀가 장차 너희 가운데에서 몇 사람을 옥에 던져 시험을 받게 하리니 너희가 십 일 동안 환난을 받으리라 네가 죽도록 충성하라 그리하면 내가 생명의 관을 네게 주리라

To the Church in Smyrna

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:


These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.


2:11 귀 있는 자는 성령이 교회들에게 하시는 말씀을 들을지어다 이기는 자는 둘째 사망의 해를 받지 아니하리라

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.


 

                  어제 우리는 사도 요한에게 나타나신 영광스러운 주님의 모습을 함께 나누었습니다. 그리스도께서는 마치 하나님과 같은 모습으로 나타나셔서 일곱 금 촛대, 즉 주님의 몸된 일곱교회 사이에 계시는 모습을 보이셨습니다. 이는 주님께서 그들과 함께 계시며 그들을 돌보고 계신다는 것을 알려주시는 것이었습니다. 이것은 돌아오실 그리스도를 기다리던 1세기 교회들에게 큰 위로였을 것입니다. 그리고 오늘 주님께서는 그 일곱 교회 중 두 교회, 에베소 교회와 서머나 교회에 말씀을 전하십니다. 이 말씀들을 통하여 주님께서는 각 교회들을 칭찬하고 그들이 고쳐야 할 부분들을 친히 알려주십니다. 또한 그들이 말씀에 순종할 때에 받을 상급을 보이심으로서 그들이 끝까지 승리할 수 있도록 격려해주십니다. 오늘은 이 두 교회를 향한 주님의 말씀을 통해 교회가 끝까지 승리할 수 있도록 격려해 주시는 주님을 함께 알아보기 원합니다.


Yesterday, we shared together the glorious appearance of the Lord who appeared to the apostle John. Christ appeared in a manner resembling God, standing among seven golden lampstands - representing the seven churches of His body. This revealed that the Lord is with them and carefully tending to them. This was undoubtedly a profound comfort to the first-century churches eagerly anticipating Christ's return.



                  먼저 에베소 교회입니다. 에베소는 거대한 아르테미스 신전이 있었던 도시로 유명합니다. 바울이 에베소에 있을 때에 소란이 일어났는데 사도행전 19:34에 보니 “다 한 소리로 외쳐 이르되 크다 에베소 사람의 아데미여 하기를 두 시간이나 하더니”라고 합니다. 그러나 에베소 교회는 사도 바울이 무척이나 아끼던 교회였기도 합니다. 사도 바울이 전도여행중 3년이나 머물며 밤낮 쉬지않고 눈물로 가르치던 교회가 바로 에베소 교회입니다. 에베소 교회 사람들도 마찬가지로 바울을 사랑하여 사도 바울이 로마로 갈 때에 사도행전 20:37을 보니 “다 크게 울며 바울의 목을 안고 입을 맞추며” 송별식을 해주는 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 그만큼 에베소 교회는 자신의 신앙을 지키려 노력했던 것 같습니다. 오늘의 말씀 2절과 3절을 보면 주님께서 그들을 칭찬하실 때에 하신 말씀이 그들의 행위, 수고, 인내, 악한자를 용납하지 않음, 자칭 사도의 거짓을 드러냄, 참음, 주님의 이름을 위해 견딤, 게으르지 아니함.임을 볼 수 있습니다. 주님께서는 이러한 이들의 노력과 수고를 하나하나 말씀하시며 내가 안다라고 하십니다. 여러분 이것이 이들에게 얼마나 큰 위안이 되었겠습니까? 주님께서 이들이 행하였던 모든 노력과 수고를 내가 안다라고 말씀하고 계시는 것입니다. 여러분이 여러분의 신앙을 지키기 위해 했던 모든 행위, 수고, 인내, 참음, 주님의 이름을 위해 견디셨던 모든 것들, 또 게으르지 아니하고 부지런히 주님을 섬겼던 모든 것을 주님께서 알고 계시는 것입니다.


Today, the Lord speaks to two of these seven churches: the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna. Through these words, He personally commends each church and transparently reveals the areas they need to improve. By showing the rewards they will receive for their faithful obedience, He encourages them to remain victorious until the very end. Today, we want to explore how the Lord encourages these churches to ultimately triumph.

Let's first look at the Ephesian church. Ephesus was a city famous for its massive Temple of Artemis. When the apostle Paul was in Ephesus, significant disruptions occurred. In Acts 19:34 (NIV), we read: "They all shouted in unison for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'" However, Ephesus was also a church deeply cherished by Paul. This was the church where Paul spent three years teaching, night and day, with tears. The Ephesian church members reciprocated this love. In Acts 20:37 (NIV), we see their emotional farewell: "They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him."

In Revelation 2:2-3, the Lord specifically highlights their commendable characteristics. He acknowledges their works, their labor, their perseverance, their intolerance of evil, their exposure of false apostles, their endurance, and their unwavering commitment to Christ's name. The Lord emphasizes, "I know..." Can you imagine how profoundly comforting these words would have been? The Lord is declaring that He sees and understands every single effort they've made.



                  비록 오늘 말씀 4절에 주님께서 이들에게 책망할 것이 있다고 하시지만 그것은 주님께서 이들을 정죄하려고 하시는 말씀이 아닙니다. 왜냐하면 주님께서는 책망만을 하시는 것이 아니라 그들에게 어떻게 해야하는지 5절에서 분명한 해결책을 알려주십니다. “그러나 너를 책망할 것이 있나니 너의 처음 사랑을 버렸느니라 그러므로 어디서 떨어졌는지를 생각하고 회개하여 처음 행위를 가지라” 아마도 에베소 교회는 오랜 시간동안 이단이나 거짓 사도들과 싸우면서 점점 주님을 사랑하고 이웃을 사랑하는 것에 중점을 두기보다는 전통과 교리를 지키는 것에 더 마음을 쏟았는지도 모르겠습니다. 그도 그럴듯이 에베소 교회는 6절에 나와 있는 니골라당이라고 하는 이단때문에 어려움을 겪고 있었는데 이런 이단들의 침투로 인해 그들은 교회에 오는 새로운 신자들조차 기쁘게 사랑으로 받아들이지 못하고 항상 의심할 수 밖에 없지 않았을까 싶습니다. 마치 신천지 추수꾼들 때문에 심하게 고생하였던 교회들이 새신자들 중에 유난히 열심으로 섬기는 사람이 있으면 오히려 의심을 하게 되는 것처럼 말입니다. 그러나 주님은 책망만이 아니라 해결책 또한 알려주셨습니다. 주님은 그들에게 어디서 떨어졌는지 생각해보고 회개하라고 말씀하십니다. 첫 단계는 기억하는 것입니다. 어디서 떨어졌는지를 생각해보라는 말씀은 그들이 원래 있었던 자리, 바로 처음 사랑을 하던 자리를 기억하라는 말씀입니다. 두번째, 회개를 통하여 처음 사랑을 버렸던 그들이 다시금 처음 행위를 회복할 수 있다고 말씀하시는 것입니다. 이 말씀의 핵심은 바로 회개입니다. 이들이 회개하지 아니하면 그 촛대 즉 교회를 그 자리에서 옮기시겠다고 말씀하십니다. 여러분 이것이 너를 벌하겠다고 하시는 말씀입니까? 아니지요. 어서 빨리 회개하라고 하시는 말씀입니다. 그것을 어떻게 알 수 있냐면 6절에서 주님이 그 와중에 그들과 공감하시기 때문입니다. 너희도 니골라 당을 미워하였느냐. 나도 미워한다. 왜 예전에 유명한 드라마 대사 있지 않습니까? “아프냐?” “나도 아프다” 이런 얘기 왜 하는 것입니까? 그것도 책망할 것이 있다고 얘기 해놓고 말입니다. 내가 너와 함께 한다는 말이 아니겠습니까? 내가 네 맘을 안다는 말씀이 아니겠습니까? 주님께서는 이처럼 이들이 주님의 말씀을 듣고 끝까지 승리하기를 원하시는 것입니다. 교회의 승리를 위해서 그리스도는 이렇게 교회를 격려해 주시는 것입니다.


However, in verse 4, the Lord introduces a critique. But this is not a condemnation - it's a loving correction. In verse 5, He provides a clear pathway forward: "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."

The Ephesian church, after long battles against heretics and false apostles, might have become more focused on doctrinal purity than on loving the Lord and their neighbors. They were struggling with the Nicolaitans, a heretical group that likely made them suspicious of new believers - similar to how some modern churches might be wary of newcomers due to past experiences with cult infiltrations.

The Lord's message has a core theme: repentance. He urges them to remember their original spiritual position and return to their initial passion. If they do not repent, He warns of removing their lampstand - not as punishment, but as an urgent call to rekinddle their first love.



                  서머나 교회도 마찬가지입니다. 서머나는 따뜻한 항만도시로 아름다운 풍경을 가진 무역과 상업의 중심지였습니다. 그러나 많은 유대인들이 로마로부터 유대교를 인정받기 위해 기독교를 희생양으로 삼았습니다. 그래서 역설적이게도 성도들은 이렇게 부요한 도시 안에서 많은 환난과 궁핍가운데에 있었습니다. 그래서 9절을 보시면 주님께서 이들에게는 이들이 겪고 있는 환난과 궁핍을 알고 계시며 이들이 실상은 부요한 자라고 말씀하고 계시는 것입니다. 심지어 유대인들이 이들을 가르켜 무엇이라고 비방하는지 조차도 알고 계신다고 말씀하십니다. 그리고 그 유대인들을 가르켜 사탄의 회당이라 말씀하십니다. 이것이 유대인들에게 핍박을 받던 서머나 교회 성도들에게 얼마나 큰 위로가 되었겠습니까?

그리고 10절에서 그들이 장차 받을 고난을 두려워 말라고 하십니다. 이들에게 죽도록 충성하라 그리하면 주님께서 직접 생명의 관을 주시겠다고 말씀하십니다. 여러분 만약 여러분께서 이 말씀을 들으신다면 어떤 생각이 들까요? 여러분이 이미 환난과 핍박을 받고 있는데 장차 받을 고난을 두려워하지 말라니. 여기서 대체 더 어떤 고난이 온다는 것인지…? 게다가 마귀가 사람들을 옥에 던져 시험하고 성도들은 환난을 받을텐데 죽도록 충성하라니. 여러분 머리 속에 두 글자 순.교. 곧 죽음이 떠오르지 않겠습니까? 물론 죽도록 충성하면 생명의 관을 주신다고 하시지만 아마도 죽음의 두려움이 먼저 앞서지 않을까 생각합니다. 바로 그렇기에 주님께서는 8절에 서머나 교회에게 편지하라고 명령하시며 자신을 이렇게 소개하십니다. “처음이며 마지막이요 죽었다가 살아나신 이가 이르시되” 주님께서 죽었다가 살아나셨습니다. 주님께서는 죽음을 이기셨습니다. 죽음을 이기신 주님께서 우리 또한 죽음을 이기게 하실 것입니다. 부활하신 주님처럼 우리 또한 부활 할 것입니다. 여러분 믿으십니까? 이것을 믿으신다면 그때에서야 비로소 주님께서 하신 명령을 받으실 수 있게 되시는 것입니다. 그 명령이 무엇입니까? 장차 받을 고난을 두려워하지 말라. 네가 죽도록 충성하라. 여러분 죽음은 우리를 상하게 할 수 없습니다. 우리는 죽음을 이기는 자들인 것입니다. 우리가 충성할 때, 주님께서 약속하십니다. 그리하면 내가 생명의 관을 네게 주리라.아멘. 승리하신 주님께서 우리에게 승리하라 말씀하시는 것입니다. 이렇듯 교회의 승리를 위해서 그리스도는 교회를 격려해 주시는 것입니다.


Now, let's turn to the church in Smyrna. Smyrna was a beautiful port city, a center of trade and commerce. However, many Jews sought recognition from Rome by sacrificing Christians. Ironically, believers in this prosperous city experienced significant poverty and persecution.

In Revelation 2:9 (NIV), Christ acknowledges their suffering: "I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!" He even recognizes the blasphemy from those claiming to be Jews but whom He describes as a "synagogue of Satan."

Verses 10-11 offer a powerful encouragement: "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

The Lord introduces Himself as the One "who died and came to life again" (verse 8). He who conquered death will enable us to conquer death. Just as Christ was resurrected, we too shall be resurrected!



말씀을 맺습니다. 오늘의 말씀은 1세기 소아시아의 일곱 교회중 에베소 교회와 서머나 교회를 향한 그리스도의 칙령입니다. 그러나 7절과 11절에서 말씀하고 계시듯이 이 말씀은 우리들 “귀 있는 자” 또한 들어야 할 말씀입니다. 우리는 오늘 말씀을 통해 교회가 끝까지 승리할 수 있도록 격려해 주시는 그리스도를 볼 수 있었습니다. 이기는 그에게는 생명나무의 열매를 주시겠다고 하십니다. 이기는 자에게는 둘째 사망의 해를 받지 아니하리라 라고 하십니다. 주님께서는 교회가 승리하시길 원하십니다. 바로 우리가 승리하시길 원하시는 것입니다. 여러분, 죽음을 이기신 영광스러운 그리스도의 몸된 교회로서 여러분이 끝까지 승리하시기를 주님의 이름으로 축원합니다. 여러분의 승리, 교회의 승리를 위해 그리스도께서는 여러분을, 교회를 격려해 주십니다. 기도하시겠습니다.


These words were originally directed to first-century churches in Asia Minor, but as verses 7 and 11 indicate, they are for "whoever has an ear." Through this message, we see Christ encouraging the church to be victorious. To those who overcome, He promises the right to eat from the tree of life and protection from the second death.

Christ wants us to be victorious. As the glorious body of Christ who has overcome death, may you stand firm and triumphant to the very end. Christ encourages you and the church toward ultimate victory.

Let us pray.

Comments


bottom of page