2025/03/24
188. The Seven Disciples and the Seven Letters (Third Letter)
Let's continue with our previous discussion. In the Gospel of John, we read, "Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together" (Jn 21:2). According to the above sequence, the "angel of the church in Per'gamum" to whom the third letter of Revelation is addressed corresponds to Nathanael of Cana in Galilee.
Nathanael met Philip and found his vocation. Philip told him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (Jn 1:45). He responded, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (1:46). In other verses, the Gospel writes that some in the crowd who knew the Scriptures said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" (7:41-42) and that the chief priests and the Pharisees said, "Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee" (7:52).
Nathanael's response to Philip shows that he was well-versed in the Scriptures. However, as a native of Galilee like Jesus, he could not say, "Can anything good come out of Galilee?" Nevertheless, he followed Philip, interested in his words, "Come and see" (Jn 1:46). Looking at Nathanael coming towards him, Jesus, who had known his thoughts, said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (1:47). At these words, Nathanael asked, "How do you know me?" (1:48). He felt that Jesus had seen into his inner being.
Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you" (Jn 1:48). For Jews at that time, "being under a fig tree" could refer to having a private prayer or quiet time. Jesus was suggesting that Nathanael was such a person. This response from Jesus touched his heartstrings, and he confessed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (1:49). However, Jesus' response was a little cold, as follows: "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these" (1:50).
Even if there was some truth in Nathanael's confession, for him, who had a good knowledge of the Scriptures, this answer may have been a stock phrase he used when he met someone he thought was a rabbi (teacher) or an elder. Therefore, Jesus tried to consolidate his truth by saying, "You shall see greater things than these". Three days later, at a wedding, Jesus performs the sign of turning water into wine, revealing his glory, and Nathaniel, along with the other disciples, would witness this (cf. Jn 2:1-11). Since Nathaniel was from Cana in Galilee, this sign must have left a powerful impression on him. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, the sign of the wedding at Cana must have come vividly back to his memory.
Later, Jesus performed the second sign again in Cana. He healed the dying official's son with only his words (cf. Jn 4:46-54). Nathanael's faith in Jesus was now solidified. The words in the third letter of Revelation, "The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Rev 2:12) and "I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth" (2:16), were truth for Nathanael. And if he reads the following final words of this letter, he will understand their meaning: "To him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it" (2:17).
The "hidden manna" is the "body of Christ", suggesting the scene of the institution of the Eucharist at the last supper of Jesus. And the "body of Christ" is formed by the Word. Therefore, the words "a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it" lead us to the description of the "one sitting upon a white horse" in Revelation 19. There, we find the truth of Jesus as seen by Nathanael, the truth of the one who said, "I will give him a white stone." There, we see the image of the Holy Spirit sent in the name of Jesus as follows:
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed which no one knows but himself. He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations" (Rev 19:11-15).
To be continued
Maria K. M.
