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. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. From the outside, they may have looked like they had it together but their hearts were wrong. Each of these messages includes information apropos to each church, and from these messages we can draw lessons. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. Seven churches of revelation tour from izmir or istanbul.
Smyrna, the home of homer and the temple of athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. In other words it is a promise of the rapture of the church, the first such promise in the book of revelation. The book of revelation can be daunting to read, and even harder to understand if you dont pay attention to what it says about itself at the very beginning and at the very end. The churches are represented by seven golden lampstands. The book of revelation begins with the end of the church age. While it might be tempting to try and identify this virus with one of those plagues, i believe there are a couple of reasons not to. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. These lessons showfrom the scriptureswhat the book of revelation is all about. These presentations have been converted to pdf so that you may download and follow.
The book of revelation gravel hill church of christ. The apocalyptic language of the book has caused people to expect literal beasts, horses, etc. The short letters in revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches. Sardis was many times overlooked and other over emphasized. 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. The magnificence of this book has often been overshadowed by the many false views put forth concerning this book. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation. Yet this does not prove that the church is present at that time because saints is a generic term which describes believers of all ages. To visit these 7 churches and the island of patmos, join us on a luxury christian cruise and bible study tour. Book of revelation is the only book of the new testament that is not read during services by the byzantine rite churches although in the western rite orthodox parishes, which are under the same bishops as the byzantine rite, it is read. The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven.
The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. 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. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. Each of the seven letters is a prophetic word from jesus, through the spirit, who is inspiring john to write. The church and the book of revelation commentary a. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. 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. The beginning chapters of the book of revelation contain 7 letters to the 7 churches. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. Although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven churches regarding the vision he received from christ. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.
Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. The people in ephesus were hardworking people who endured and hated evil. The book of revelation is the last book in the new testament. The short letters are addressed to these specific seven churches of revelation. The expression he who has an ear, let him hear is explained as well as other details from the verses in the second and third chapters of the book of revelation. Some note that although the term church ekklesia is not found in chapters 618 of the book of revelation, saints hagion, rev. Thomas uses a powerpoint presentation for each of his lessons. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. First, there are the exceptions previously mentioned, in which canonical orthodox churches read revelation publicly as scripture.
Jesus, in his evaluation of them, found them deficient in regard to doing enough good works verse 3. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in. The roman catholic church antichrist beast of revelation. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches.
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. The absence of the church on earth from revelation 4 to revelation 18 is consistent with the pretrib view of revelation 3. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. The book of revelation is a book of prophecy about what is to come. Rodney thomas teaches through the book of revelation on sunday mornings with the anchors class at broadway. The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. Revelation 2 begins a series of brief letters to seven churches that existed during the apostle johns time in asia minor modernday turkey. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. First, revelation was not only relevant for the firstcentury churches to give them hope to withstand persecution, but also relevant to the church in the 21st century to continue our hope and build our faith in god and the book of revelation.
What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in. And by this time in history, 95 ad, it has been only 62 years sense the death of christ, and already these churches are beginning to. Churches of the book o f revelation were a big topic in the past. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a believer overcomes or conquers. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The modern country of turkey is home to all seven of the churches mentioned in the opening chapters of revelation. Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and. The church that had abandoned its first love for christ revelation 2. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history.
The revelation of jesus christ webberville church of christ. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. The church and the book of revelation commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2. So what he is saying here is that there will be an appearing of himself for his own before he comes in power and glory, visible to the world. Pergamos, the location of romes provincial capital, was a major cultural hub. The roman catholic church ruled supreme for 1,260 years, fulfilling revelation. These seven churches are apostate and are destroyed. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. Ephesus, the gateway to asia minor, was located at a major harbor on the aegean sea. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. After revelation 3, the next time we meet the bride of christ, shes in heaven with jesus, preparing to return with him to earth revelation 19.
Churches of the book of revelation united church of god. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders. The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by spe cifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. The church at sardis had a number of faults, although some were faithful. This tour package will give you opportunity to explore the locations of the seven churches of revelation. The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john.
So, is covid19 one of the seven plagues mentioned in revelation 1617. Does the book of revelation teach that the church will be. 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 church in the book of revelation westminster theological. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea.
The seven churches described in the book of revelation. Second, when one examines the historical discussion concerning the book of revelation in the early church both east and west, these are not the terms of the debate. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. They were spiritually dead overall, despite having a reputation of being spiritually alive revelation 3. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived.
What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. 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. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry.
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