A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the church. The seven churches are representative of the church as a whole. We also see the lords opinion of those churches, and what they were doing at the time. The beginning chapters of the book of revelation contain 7 letters to the 7 churches. Gain insights into gods love for the world, his warning and correction for the churches, and his hope and encouragement for the future. He was told that the seven stars were the angels ministers or messengers of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks represented the seven churches. Secondly, revelation is written chronologically covering events from the early church through life in the future new heaven and earth. Category assignments are somewhat arbitrary in some cases. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning. John was merely the instrument of divine revelation, not its source. To the church of laodicea last week we studied the church of philadelphia, an almost perfect church. The seven churches described in the book of revelation w hen you study the book of revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in revelation chapters 2 and 3. We all understand that the book of revelation is an endtime book, and its primary focus is on things that shall be. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23.
With further study you can match the descriptions of christ with those in chapter 1. Asia is not the asia of our day which is the worlds largest continent stretching from the pacific ocean on its eastern border to the ural mountains in the west. The seven churches of revelation the seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation were actual physical churches in the names of the locations john gives, so the letters that john writes to these churches. Today we will look at the last church of the seven churches of the book of revelation and the most despised of the seven churches.
Why these seven churches commentary a testimony of. Though the seven churches of revelation are real churches, the writer uses them allegorically as seven future periods of the church. Affirming what some were doing well and condemning those that were allowing themselves to compromise, jesus was clear that they all needed to resist the temptations of the world. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical.
The seven churches of revelation sermon by larry cockerham. It appears to be a deliberate choice, like the many other occurrences of seven in the book of revelation, to signify that these seven churches typify all churches in every age. The book of revelation contains seven letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today.
As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. May 31, 2017 if you put together all of the promises to the 7 churches of revelation, the sum total of all of the promises to the believers of those churches are very similar to what paul the apostle wrote in his church epistles, with one crucial difference. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. In the main text of the general significance of various cultural groups is also mentioned. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard.
In the apostle johns day the seven cities were located in a. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. The seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation were actual physical churches in the names of the locations john gives, so the letters that john writes to these churches were actually delivered to these cities, so these letters may have less to do with seven different church ages as some scholars believe, but rather real churches that existed at the time john wrote. There may be an allusion to this fact in gods message to the church found in the book of revelation. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. The seven churches of revelation described in revelation chapters 2 through chapter 3 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Dec 20, 2019 why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the book of revelation. Christians who read revelation for the first time may wonder why this book, which is primarily about end times prophecy, should first include these messages to seven specific historical churches in chapters 2 and 3.
Were glad youre all here, and we just appreciate the fact that you all bring your bible, because believe it or not, this is what people notice. Uncovering evidence that the book of revelation was written prior to the destruction of jerusalem in 70 ad is only of secondary concern. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background day of discovery. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. Apr 19, 2017 this teaching has been reuploaded with a modification to the opening graphics. I know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. Understanding the background of each church is vital for correctly understanding the message given to them. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches.
John the divine, as it has been erroneously called. The churches in asia minor modern day turkey when john wrote the book of revelations in patmos 2. The 7 churches of revelation, dvd christian book distributors. The church of philadelphia, god was pleased with the church of philadelphia, why. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from jesus christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven. The text of the letter from the book of revelation 2. The churches are represented by seven golden lampstands. At the time of john, the region refers to the peninsula know as asia minor. Ephesus was the prominent commercial and cultural center of asia. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. Travel to the land of the bible with host joe stowell to visit the ancient sites of the seven churches described in revelation.
As the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john. Steve moutria is still with and has not returned to. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. In the letters he applauds and chastises each church and he offers them advice on how to get back on track.
But the churches give us an almost inexhaustible storehouse of wisdom and knowledge. The immediate audience for the revelation recorded by john is the seven churches which are in asia rev. And, if he were here today, he would be appalled at the title the divine. The very first verse of the book provides an appropriate title, and reveals both the source and destination of the message. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church.
The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church so that they may be faithful to the end. Lampstand is a better translation for the word candlestick, and is so given in the margin of our bibles. The seven churches of revelation, as described in chapters two and three of that book, have intrigued bible expositors down through the age. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. Most pastors teach that jesus was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. The church was going through some major times of severe persecution during this day, and the holy spirit led john to write the book of revelation. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. How does the church of laodicea compare to our church. Sep 30, 2011 the church was going through some major times of severe persecution during this day, and the holy spirit led john to write the book of revelation. The book of revelation provides insight into the spiritual health of seven ancient churches in modernday turkey. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a believer overcomes or conquers. And to the angel of the church in philadelphia, write. The mysterious last book of the new testament is not the revelation of st.
Smyrna was home to a large jewish community hostile to christians. The seven churches of the apocalypse the church of god. Summary table for the seven churches r 03c characteristics of the churches help us identify the times they symbolize 0111. Smyrna, the home of homer and the temple of athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport.
The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. Jul 10, 2017 the seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. It is also possible to explore the question of whether qualities similar to those of the 7 churches are present within todays churches or groups within churches and christian movements. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. Click download or read online button to get understanding the 7 churches of revelation book now. Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. Understanding the 7 churches of revelation download ebook. The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. Understanding the 7 churches of revelation download. There are many great lessons that we can learn from the letters to the seven churches of revelation.
Do you remember each of the 7 churches of revelation. The seven churches of revelation bible student archives. These churches mentioned in revelation chapter 2 and 3 represent different struggles and strengths of the christian church today. This pamphlet provides simple summaries on the culture, history, and persecution of each church. The authors carry out the noble task of encouraging pastors to stop wishing for the perfect church and offer them realistic strategies on how to effectively minister where god has placed them. What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. The meaning of the 7 churches of revelation the seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning. Get a fresh perspective on the book of revelation and jesus message to churches in all times. The church in philadelphia was the sixth of seven churches who received a spiritual evaluation directly from god through jesus christ. The seven churches of revelation this revelation timeline decoded bible study will show you how the 7 churches of revelation represent seven church eras that have spanned throughout history, and end when the lord returns. These things says the holy one, the one who is true. More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches. We need to remember that jesus himself is giving these commendations and rebukes, so we need to listen and heed what he says to the churches, because they apply to us also. The seven jewish churches in revelation lesson 1 part.
Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. The short letters are addressed to these specific seven churches of revelation. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john. Churches in this context refers to the community or local congregations of christians living in each city, and not merely.
Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. W hen you study the book of revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in revelation chapters 2 and 3. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey as the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john was given a vision of endtime events leading up to the return of jesus christ. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. As i discuss them, the discussion for each letter consists of four parts. In the first century, ephesus was home to a growing church led by the apostle john, once the young disciple of jesus christ. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders. Revelation s warning the church in philadelphia was the sixth of seven churches who received a spiritual evaluation directly from god through jesus christ. The book of revelation is a book of prophecy about what is to come. When revelation was written at the end of the first century, all seven churches existed at the same time, therefore the seven conditionsthe messages described.
For the 7 churches of revelation, all of the promises are stated in the future tense. Ephesus, the gateway to asia minor, was located at a major harbor on the aegean sea. The primary focus of this article is to convey who comprised the membership of the seven churches of asia, to whom the book of revelation was written, and to which dispensation they belong. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation.
Pergamos, the location of romes provincial capital, was a major cultural hub. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. Nov 27, 2019 through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. Jun 01, 2001 the 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. Therefore they tend to skip over chapters two and three in the book of revelation without realizing their importance. Were the messages to these churches intended mainly for the congregations to which they were sent during the apostolic period. Easytounderstand overview on the 7 churches in the book of revelation. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. This revelation timeline decoded bible study will show you how the 7 churches of revelation represent seven church eras that have spanned throughout history, and end when the lord returns. Here is a short overview of each of the 7 churches of revelation, plus a description of patmos, the place john actually received the book of revelation. In looking at the letters to the 7 churches, we see the lord speaking directly to the 7 churches that existed in the holy land at the time john lived. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. These things says he who has the seven spirits of god and the seven stars.
The order in which the letters are enumerated is the order in which the mail courier would have traversed them. Jun 11, 2015 3 key features of roses seven churches of revelation pamphlet. The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. Lastly, the 7 churches named in the book of revelation were all situated along a major roman road.