What does Revelation 3:6 mean?

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:6

Explanation

Revelation 3:6, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” is an exhortation from the Book of Revelation that concludes to each of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor. The phrase “He that hath an ear, let him hear” is a call to listen attentively and understand the deeper meaning of what is being said. This is not just about physical hearing, but about perceiving and comprehending with a willingness to respond to the message. It is an appeal for spiritual discernment.

The latter part of the verse “what the Spirit saith unto the churches” signifies that the message is delivered by the Holy Spirit and is meant for all the congregations of believers, not just to the one specific church initially addressed. This makes the message timeless and applicable to all followers of Christ throughout the ages.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation is traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, under the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian around 95 AD. It was a time of persecution for Christians, and the letters were sent to seven historical churches in Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each church was facing specific challenges either from within, such as moral decay or false teachings, or from without, such as Roman persecution or pressure to conform to pagan practices.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse implies several key insights:

• Divine Inspiration: It asserts that the messages to the churches are inspired by the Holy Spirit, which emphasizes their divine origin and authority.
• Universal Audience: The message is not just intended for the original recipients but for all who consider themselves part of Christ’s church.
• Responsibility to Hear: There is an individual responsibility placed on the listener to hear and heed the message.
• Spiritual Discernment: The verse highlights the importance of spiritual openness to discern the deeper spiritual truth in God’s revelations to His people.

Different denominations might emphasize various aspects of this verse. For instance, some might stress the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating Scripture, while others might focus on the need for personal responsiveness to God’s voice.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Revelation 3:6 encourage believers to:

• Remain vigilant and attuned to spiritual guidance and teachings.
• Continuously engage with Scripture and the teachings of the church with a receptive heart and mind.
• Understand that biblical messages are applicable to all believers, regardless of time or place.
• Take personal responsibility for their spiritual growth and responsiveness to God’s direction.

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.”
• Revelation 2:11 – “He 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.”
• 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 phrase “he that hath an ear” is translated from the Greek phrase “ὁ ἔχων οὖς,” with ὁ being the article “the,” ἔχων (echon) being a present active participle of “ἔχω” (echo), meaning “to have” or “to hold,” and οὖς (ous) meaning “ear.” The verb form indicates possession, implying an ongoing action of having.

“Spirit” comes from the Greek word “πνεῦμα” (pneuma), which can mean “Spirit,” “breath,” or “wind,” and in this context refers to the Holy Spirit.

“Says” or “saith” translates from “λέγει” (legei), which is the present active indicative of “λέγω” (lego), meaning “to say” or “to speak.”

The use of the present tense in “sayeth” indicates that the message is not only relevant at the time of writing but continues to be pertinent.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and cultures, there were often calls to heed the words of the gods or spiritual entities. This concept of divine communication requiring attention and adherence is not exclusive to Christianity. However, the direct and personal nature of the biblical appeal to listen is distinctive to Judeo-Christian thought, which emphasizes a personal relationship with God and individual responsibility in that relationship.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly relate to scientific perspectives, it is worth noting that the encouragement for active listening and response to the spiritual message could align with psychological principles that favor attentive and conscious engagement with information for its better assimilation and application in life decisions.

Commentaries

Expert biblical commentators offer various interpretations of this verse:

• Some stress the ongoing relevance of the message of Revelation, arguing that “He that hath an ear” denotes a timeless spiritual mandate.
• Others underline how the repetition of this phrase in Revelation underscores the crucial nature of the spiritual messages to the churches.
• A few scholars opine that the idea of hearing what the Spirit says to the churches serves as a reminder of the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit for believers throughout history.

These commentaries highlight the multi-faceted nature of this one verse, offering a rich tapestry of meaning for scholars and laypeople alike.