Smyrna was home to a large jewish community hostile to christians. The churches are represented by seven golden lampstands. The abundance of scriptural evidence detailed in section iii of this article makes it very clear that the book of revelation is doctrine for the nation of israel, the. There are many great lessons that we can learn from the letters to the seven churches of revelation. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world.
What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Understanding the 7 churches of revelation download. Get a fresh perspective on the book of revelation and jesus message to churches in all times. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. The text of the letter from the book of revelation 2. They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word. In the first century, ephesus was home to a growing church led by the apostle john, once.
The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven. With further study you can match the descriptions of christ with those in chapter 1. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. Do you remember each of the 7 churches of revelation. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. The ruins of pergamum sit atop a hill overlooking the. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.
Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. 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. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven. The mysterious last book of the new testament is not the revelation of st. In the first century, ephesus was home to a growing church led by the apostle john. Summary table for the seven churches r 03c characteristics of the churches help us identify the times they symbolize 0111. Ephesus was the fourth largest city of the roman empire in the first century. Secondly, revelation is written chronologically covering events from the early church through life in the future new heaven and earth. Ephesus was the prominent commercial and cultural center of asia.
The very first verse of the book provides an appropriate title, and reveals both the source and destination of the message. These things says he who has the seven spirits of god and the seven. The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john. 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. 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. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. 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. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia and laodicea 1. The original recipients of revelation were the believers in these seven churches.
All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. We all understand that the book of revelation is an endtime book, and its primary focus is on things that shall be. The ruins of smyrna s marketplace are nestled in a city block. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches. Category assignments are somewhat arbitrary in some cases. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. John was merely the instrument of divine revelation, not its source. 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.
How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. The number seven, the bible numeric, this is the number of perfection. 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. To the church in ephesus in this series on the seven churches of revelation, we will be examining the commendation and condemnation of each of the seven churches and learning the lessons that is meant for our church. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. The letters to the seven churches of asia in their local setting the biblical resource series. Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches.
John the divine, as it has been erroneously called. Though the seven churches of revelation are real churches, the writer uses them allegorically as seven future periods of the church. All of these seven churches mentioned in revelation chapters 2 and 3 are literal churches that were located in asia minor. Rightly dividing the word is the goal of this article, and it is an indispensable key to proper understanding of the bible. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background. Each city where a particular fellowship resided had its own unique characteristics, some of which offered challenges and temptations to those who were believers. And, if he were here today, he would be appalled at the title the divine. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. John was told to write down what he saw in a book and to send it to seven churches in the province of asia western asia minor. Travel to the land of the bible with host joe stowell to visit the ancient sites of the seven churches described in revelation. The letters to the seven churches of asia in their local setting the biblical resource series colin j.
These churches were planted and cultivated by the apostle paul, with the church at ephesus being the lead church. What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. The book of revelation is an important book to grasp and understand. The whole book of revelation presents itself as one long letter, as we have seen. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. This is a new series that will cover the book of revelation and help prepare you in understanding of the end times. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. In the letters he applauds and chastises each church and he offers them advice on how to get back on track. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry.
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. There may be an allusion to this fact in gods message to the church found in the book of revelation. Click download or read online button to get understanding the 7 churches of revelation book now. The seven churches of the apocalypse the church of god. David reagan the seven churches of revelation duration. The letters to the seven churches of asia in their local. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. 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. 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 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. Churches in this context refers to the community or local congregations of christians living in each city, and not merely to the building or buildings in which they.
Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and. The short letters are addressed to these specific 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. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. 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. These churches mentioned in revelation chapter 2 and 3 represent different struggles and strengths of the christian church today.