Is Jesus in Spirit? Revelation 2 & 3

Part 3:

A Shincheonji person would argue that in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus refers to himself in Spirit. Let us go ahead and dissect these chapters to see if this claim is true or not.

Jesus to John, take a letter to the reader/leader in Ephesus. 

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this

Revelation 2:1

NASB

Jesus is referring to himself harkening back to information found in chapter one. Each church is addressed formulaically and each includes words like these introductory ones to Ephesus. Notice please that there is nothing about Jesus being spirit. 

To Smyrna he says:

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this

Revelation 2:8

NASB

This self-description indicates he has a post-resurrection body. 

Pergamum:

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this

Revelation 2:12

NASB

This sword of the Spirit described in Ephesians 6:17.

And take the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17

NASB

John 1 Jesus is the word. 

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness

2 Timothy 3:16

NASB

2 Peter 1:20-21 NASBS

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:20-21

NASB

We see the Trinity in this introduction to the letter to Pergamum which is further clarified by earlier passages in the New Testament. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit wielded this weapon to assist the church in Pergamum with the challenges they need to overcome. But no doubt Jesus is the One in Revelation 2:12 with the sword. 

Next is Thyatira. 

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this

Revelation 2:18

NASB

Still no mention of Jesus being spirit. 

Sardis:

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:1

NASB

This is important. Jesus is not a spirit. Members of the Trinity are the same nature but three persons. The sevenfold spirit of Isaiah 11 and Zechariah. Jesus and the Holy Spirit share attributes. 

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this

Revelation 3:7

NASB

Jesus decides who is in and who is not. Nothing about being a spirit. If Jesus using all these terms to describe himself was a spirit why would not he say so?

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this

Revelation 3:14

NASB

Nothing about being a spirit. 

Then the rest of the formula. He invites church members to overcome and be rewarded now and later. Finally Jesus says to all churches to listen to the Holy Spirit. He does not say listen to me a spirit. It is already assumed they are listening when the reader is reading what Jesus has dictated to them in the book of John. He sent the paraclete, comforter, advocate, Holy Spirit. They need to listen to the Holy Spirit. 

In the conclusion we see the overcomers are under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. With one voice, they say, “Come.” As they call to their neighbors to chose Christ. 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Revelation 22:17

NASB

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:6

NASB

He who has an ear. Most people have two ears. Jesus is calling to the spiritual believers that are listening to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them. The Holy Spirit is acting at the church level and the heart level. Jesus wants everyone to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to them. Especially the churches. 

John 5:24 μου (the) ακουων (one who hears)

και πιστευων τω πεμψαντι με εχει ζωην αιωνιον και εις κρισιν ουκ ερχεται αλλα μεταβεβηκεν εκ του θανατου εις την ζωην

The above is translated: whoever hears my voice has eternal life etc. 

The singular in Greek becomes an indefinite pronoun in English. 

So it is in Revelation 2 and 3. 

Revelation 2:7 (WH) ο (the) εχων  (one who has) mους (an ear) ακουσατω (let him hear) τι (what) το (the) πνευμα (pneuma Spirit) λεγει (says) ταις (to the) εκκλησιαις (churches) τω νικωντι (to the one who conquers [by the Spirit in the churches]) δωσω (I will grant) αυτω φαγειν (to eat) εκ του ξυλου της ζωης ο εστιν εν τω παραδεισω του θεου (of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God)

Again we see all three members of the Trinity. The singular he is really the indefinite pronoun anyone. Spirit is neuter. Jesus and Christ (ιησου χριστου): both are singular masculine. Jesus cannot be spirit. The inflections do not match. Spirit is singular, neither masculine nor feminine and Jesus is masculine. They are separate divinities who are in the Trinity. Jesus is not hopping back and forth from physical to spirit and back to physical. He is physical only. 

This is the simplest, most natural way any reasonably sane person would understand that this spirit is the Holy Spirit and Jesus is not spirit.

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