What does Revelation 3:22 mean?

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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:22

Explanation

The verse “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:22) is the concluding call to attention in each of the seven messages to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. This phrase appeals for spiritual discernment, urging believers to listen intently and understand the message being conveyed by the Holy Spirit. In a literal sense, it speaks to anyone who is capable of hearing, while its deeper meaning emphasizes the importance of not just hearing but truly comprehending and heeding the spiritual guidance offered to the Christian congregations.

Historical Context

This verse is from the Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, which is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle and written toward the end of the 1st century AD. This particular verse is part of a series of messages to seven historical churches located in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) that symbolize various conditions of the Christian Church through time. It was a period of significant religious persecution and moral decadence, and the messages aim to encourage, warn, and instruct the churches about the need for spiritual vigilance and faithfulness.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse carries several insights:

Divine Communication: It underlines the belief that God communicates with His people through the Holy Spirit, providing guidance and revelation that is crucial for their spiritual well-being.
Individual Responsibility: The use of “He that hath an ear” implies that receiving God’s word is a personal responsibility and choice.
Church Universal: By addressing “the churches”, it is understood that the warnings and guidance are not for a single congregation but for the entire body of believers.
Eschatological Urgency: Many theologians interpret Revelation as a book foretelling events of the end times, making the call to listen an urgent matter as it pertains to one’s eternal destiny.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in various ways:

Active Listening: It encourages people to actively listen to spiritual teachings and discern their meanings.
Obedience: It serves as a reminder to not just hear the word of God but to also obey it.
Spiritual Awareness: Believers are called to be attuned to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in their life decisions.

Cross-References

Revelation 2:7 – “He 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.”
Matthew 11:15 – “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:9 – “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Language Study

The Greek word for “ear” is “οὖς” (ous), referring to the physical ear but also the faculty of hearing. “Hear” translates from the Greek “ἀκουέτω” (akouetō), indicating not just the act of hearing but also understanding and obeying.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to the way Greek oracles and Jewish prophets called for people to hear their words with understanding, this verse calls for an attentive and discerning listening that transcends mere physical hearing. It resonates with the ancient cultural emphasis on wisdom that comes from truly listening and comprehending divine messages.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly intersect with scientific perspectives but touches on cognitive capacities like auditory perception and comprehension, which are subjects of study in neuroscience and psychology.

Commentaries

Most biblical scholars and theologians see this phrase as a call to spiritual alertness and responsiveness. Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the need for understanding the word of God. The Pulpit Commentary discusses the personal nature of the admonition to “hear,” indicating a voluntary and responsive hearing. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible suggests that what is heard is not of human origin but divine revelation intended for all true believers.