Ephesus, the gateway to asia minor, was located at a major harbor on the aegean sea. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. The whole book of revelation presents itself as one long letter, as we have seen. Yet god promised to reward his church and individual members if they would repent of misdeeds and remain faithful to him. And i will never blot out his name from the book of life, but i will confess his name before my father and his angels. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. Travel to the land of the bible with host joe stowell to visit the ancient sites of the seven churches described in revelation. They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Apparently, they were singled out because john had ministered in them. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 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.
Get a fresh perspective on the book of revelation and jesus message to churches in all times. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. When christ is what we promote in the church we will continue to have opportunities to minister outside the walls. 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. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. While these revelation letters are not as strongly prophetic as other parts of that book, they warn todays drifting churches that. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want.
The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john. 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 opens with seven letters to seven churches. Pergamos, the location of romes provincial capital, was a major cultural hub. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today. From the outside, they may have looked like they had it together but their hearts were wrong. The book of revelation is an important book to grasp and understand. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today and questions of the oecumene.
All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. 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. Ephesus was the prominent commercial and cultural center of asia. In these letters, jesus addresses the spiritual health of each church. Easytounderstand overview on the 7 churches in 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. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. Gain insights into gods love for the world, his warning and correction for the churches, and his hope and encouragement for the future. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey. I feel people parse words when they say its wrong to belong to a particular denomination. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia.
This pamphlet provides simple summaries on the culture, history, and persecution of each church. 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. As the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. Summary table for the seven churches r 03c characteristics of the churches help us identify the times they symbolize 0111. 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. Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. Why these seven churches commentary a testimony of. Theres a symbolic language used in the book of revelation and throughout much of the bible. The short letters are addressed to these specific seven churches of revelation. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible. Each of the seven letters is a prophetic word from jesus, through the spirit, who is inspiring john to write. The churches are represented by seven golden lampstands.
The meaning of the 7 churches of revelation the seven churches of revelation represent report cards for christians. The people in ephesus were hardworking people who endured and hated evil. The beginning chapters of the book of revelation contain 7 letters to the 7 churches. Most pastors teach that jesus was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church so that they may be faithful to the end. The seven churches of revelation bible student archives. 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. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. How does the church in ephesus compare with our church. Understanding the background of each church is vital for correctly understanding the message given to them.
To visit these 7 churches and the island of patmos, join us on a luxury christian cruise and bible study tour. Understanding the 7 churches of revelation download. Why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the book of revelation. 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. Of all the seven churches in the book of revelation, there is only one that we should strive to be. The 7 churches to who the letters were addressed were existing churches in asia minor modern turkey. These are the words of the one who holds the seven spirits of god and the seven stars.
Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. Smyrna, the home of homer and the temple of athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. I feel the way the book of revelation describes the 7 churches is really describing denominations and not separate churches in philosophical sense. Category assignments are somewhat arbitrary in some cases. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders.
What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. This is a new series that will cover the book of revelation and help prepare you in understanding of the end times. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. 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. In the letters he applauds and chastises each church. The afterrecurrence in this book of the number seven is, i. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. 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. Smyrna was home to a large jewish community hostile to christians.
The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. Why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven.
Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. The messages to the seven churches of revelation 23 show us that the church and its members were destined to face many trials ant temptations throughout the centuries before jesus would return. Quiz about the book of revelation, chapters 2 and 3, the 7 letters to the 7 churches. 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. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a believer overcomes or conquers. With further study you can match the descriptions of christ with those in chapter 1. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches. The seven churches of revelation, as described in chapters two and three of that book, have intrigued bible expositors down through the age.