Readings:
1 Maccabees 8-9
Revelation 3

1 Maccabees 8-9

The beginning of this chapter tells a quick history of the Roman republic that was a rising power in the Mediterranean basin. Rome had been on a major tear through the Mediterranean and rival powers. Around 200 BC they defeated Carthage in the 2nd Punic War, then defeated Antiochus the great (father of the arch villain Antiochus IV Epiphanies) just before the beginning of the Maccabees.

So we’re introduced to them and the picture that’s painted is very rosy. It says that Judas was “told of” this nation called Rome, and I’d like to know who it was telling him these things because even though I’m a huge fan of ancient Roman history, they’re not the benevolent nation of philosophers that it’s portraying here. Rome was brutal at times, it was expansionist, and it would often invent or provoke reasons to justify a war that was in its best interest.

If your nation’s interests aligned with the interests of the powerful men in the senate then you were in luck, because there was no better friend than Rome as an ally, but as it often happened, if your interests diverged or came into conflict with theirs, then there was no worse an enemy.

Judas sends a delegation and they secure a treaty of friendship with Rome. This includes Rome telling the Syrian Greeks to back off and not be so heavy handed in Judea because of the Jews ask for help, the Romans stand ready to assist militarily. In hind sight, this treaty placed Jerusalem in Rome’s sights and eventually leads to their annexation of the whole area. It was probably a long term blunder, but Rome was most definitely aware of Jerusalem, and would probably come knocking eventually so maybe it was best to just be on their good side to start.

Judas falls in battle against the forces sent by Demetrius Sotor, the Seleucid king. He was vastly outnumbered and many of his own army had abandoned him, but he insisted on doing battle anyway and marched out against them. Through most of the early lopsided engagements, Judas would often give a little speech where he invoked the history of Israel defying the odds because God was on their side, but he doesn’t do that before his final battle. Did he foolishly place his trust in foreign allies that failed to come to his aid? Was this punishment from God for not putting all his trust in him? It doesn’t say in the text, but it’s interesting to consider.

They lost Jerusalem again and were betrayed by their Nabatean allies in the desert of what is now southern Jordan. That’s why Jonathan feels trapped at the Jordan with Greeks in front of him and Nabateans to his rear. He instructs his army to call out to God for deliverance and then attacks the Greeks. This is the key here, why Jonathan is successful. He’s not really on battlefield experience or strong allies, he’s relying on God.

After a couple more battles, the wars of the Maccabees (the first round) come to an end, and Jonathan becomes a judge of Israel like Samuel and Joshua had been in the old days.

Revelation 3

Next up is the church in Sardis, it being a city on a somewhat downward trajectory after losing much of its commerce and prestige to other nearby cities. It was twice destroyed due to nighttime sneak attacks and this could be what Jesus alludes to when he tells them to “stay awake” or else they’ll fare as badly as a town unprepared for a nighttime thief.

He says they have a reputation for being alive, but are actually dead. Perhaps many of them are secretly living in mortal sin which kills the sanctifying Grace in our souls. They go through the motions but inside are spiritually dead. Though not all, some are said to still have unsoiled garments. This is referring to the white robes that the angels and saints wear in many visions of heaven and that are given to the newly baptized. They remain unstained by sin, and if someone does commit a mortal sin and stains their baptismal robe it can always be washed clean by the blood of the lamb (Rev 7:13-14).

Next is the city of Philadelphia, not the one in Pennsylvanian, but this one is located about 30-40 miles south of Sardis and was home to a synagogue that was particularly hostile to the church. They’re referred to as a synagogue of satan just like in Smyrna. Jesus says despite their hostility they will acknowledge the church as the true Israel, like Paul said in his letter to the Romans.

Philadelphia seems to only receive good commendations and an encouragement to keep the faith. They’re commended for not denying Christ and told to persevere to the end. But unlike the other churches there’s no obvious critique from Jesus that I can see.

The last church to receive a letter here is Laodicea. This city is located about 30-40 miles south of Philadelphia. It receives the harshest criticism from Our Lord, and unlike the other churches, it receives no positive reviews. Despite the wealth of this city, the faith community there is spiritually bankrupt.

The famous line where Jesus calls them lukewarm is found here, and its literal meaning is obvious. We mostly eat things that are hot or cold p, but a bowl of lukewarm soup or lukewarm coffee is very unappealing. Also this city lacked cold spring water like several surrounding towns contained, also there were no hot springs there, so this criticism is unique suited for Laodicea.

But the real meaning here is that lukewarm people can be the hardest to reach. The addict that hits rock bottom knows he needs help, and the person who’s living a life in accordance with God’s will is what we’d say is on fire for God, but a person who maybe was raised in church and considers themselves a pretty good person has a hard time accepting that maybe their favorite past time is a mortal sin. Or that they need to do more than just sit in church and then do whatever they want to do. I was that person for most of my 20s. I know from experience that I didn’t want to love my neighbors, or to carry my cross, I just wanted the bare minimum and that wasn’t enough.

But Jesus doesn’t completely cut them off, he’s even dictating this letter to them. He wants them to return like the prodigal son. He wants them to be hot once more, and he’s giving them the opportunity to open that door.

Tomorrow’s Readings:
1 Maccabees 10-11
Revelation 4