From doctrine proceed all of the attributes of the christian life whether good or bad. A new look at the seven churches of revelation steven m. 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. What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The seven successively span the churchs 2,000year history, culminating with the last three eras extant in the last hundred years.
All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. Host david nunn takes us to turkey for a firsthand visit of the seven cities to which the messages of the risen christ were addressed in revelation chapters 23. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation. He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church so that they may be faithful to the end. For a more indepth study of all the seven churches, click here. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church.
The seven churches of revelation revelation 23 bible commentary produced by tow project the messages to the seven churches emphasize the importance of works in the christian life, and thus indirectly contribute to a proper understanding of work in general. Whats the catholic view on the seven churches mentioned in. And after about five full months, preaching in the first chapter, we have come to the last message and are beginning these introductory messages into the second and third. Seven churches in the book of revelation can be understood in four ways. The lord calls on the community to repent or risk the judgment that will. Understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end it to the seven churches which are in asia. We do know that those churches no longer exist today, so at some point their candlestick was removed. Nov 21, 2016 the roman catholic church accepts the book of revelation as authentic scripture. The seven churches of revelation sermon by larry cockerham. The probable date of the writing of the book of revelation is about 65 ad or about 35 years after jesus death and resurrection, the beginning of the church age. 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. Therefore, the seven churches of revelation are all about doctrine. Understanding the seven churches of revelation kindle edition by welton, jonathan.
So what jesus is teaching us in these seven letters is all about doctrine. Revelation is one of the most intriguing and misunderstood. The seven churches also represent the seven spiritual church ages from the new testament church, right through to the last church before jesus returns at the second coming. The seven stars are the ministers of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. I believe this series seven churches of revelation has the potential to revolutionize. Were the messages to these churches intended mainly for the congregations to which they were sent during the apostolic period. Most pastors teach that jesus was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. The view is known as the historicalprophetical view. All seven existed as church congregations in physical cities in the first century. Certainly all 7 churches exist in the church today, as does the harlot church and the bride church.
We all understand that the book of revelation is an endtime book, and its primary focus is on things that shall be. The whole book of revelation presents itself as one long letter, as we have seen. 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. As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. Collins many christians have read the book of revelation and wondered how the letters to the seven churches in chapters two and three apply to our latter day period. The seven jewish churches in revelation lesson 1 part. Understanding the seven churches of revelation kindle. That is to say that there is a direct correlation between these seven parables and the seven churches. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. A number of expositors down through history have held that the seven churches represent seven sequential stages of church history. A study of the letters to the seven churches in the book of.
Christ specifically addresses the book of revelation to the seven churches in asia, but the introductory chapter places it in the context of the day of the lord and christs return. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading understanding the seven churches of revelation. In these letters, jesus addresses the spiritual health of each church. The seven churches of revelation may include at least three fulfillments. 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. As i discuss them, the discussion for each letter consists of four parts. The seven churches of revelation revelation 23 bible. Sometimes a given scriptural passage is taken up into the official tea. Some say they are merely representative churches of the one body that have grievously erred and are. The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2.
Because revelation can feel mysterious and somewhat cryptic to read, its important to remember that these were real churches with real people who lived in real time. International house of prayer university mike bickle studies in the book of revelation spring semester 2014 international house of prayer of kansas city free teaching library session 4 the seven churches. We must remember that our mission field begins the moment we walk out of church. See more ideas about the seven, revelation bible and ephesus. Since the day of the lord is still future, we can conclude. The seven churches of the book of revelation youtube. The short letters in revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches. This is an examination of the churches of revelation 2 and revelation 3, and that in fact they are not the body of christ. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end.
When the book of revelation was written the province of asia was a peaceful, prosperous place, lying at the very heart. Therefore they tend to skip over chapters two and three in the book of revelation without realizing their importance. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a believer overcomes or conquers. Whats the catholic view on the seven churches mentioned. Very good research into the history of the book of revelation. The seven churches of revelation the greek name for the book of revelation, apoka. First, of the seven churches in revelation individually addressed, not all are condemnedrebuked. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog.
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. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches. How did the lord choose the seven churches in revelation. The book of revelation is the revelation of jesus christ to john in visions. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. In this book, although what john saw were mostly visions, we should not attempt to spiritualise these seven churches and interpret them as visions. The roman catholic church accepts the book of revelation as authentic scripture. Seven churches of revelation, well look at the unique characteristics of one of the 7 churches.
Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. Pergamos, the location of romes provincial capital, was a major cultural hub. The number 7 and the book of revelation a heart for god. The church that has abandoned its love for christ and his teachings revelation 2. They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word.
The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. The book of revelation contains seven letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor. Many prophecies of scripture have more than one fulfillment. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven churches that existed during the time john the apostle was writing revelation. Likewise, the church in philadelphia is not rebuked. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. To visit these 7 churches and the island of patmos, join us on a luxury christian cruise and bible study tour. The lord instructed john to write these letters to the seven churches in the province of asia rev 1. Seen types of churches that will exist when gods plan nears completion. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. The seven churches of revelation introduction untold numbers of professing christians have been taught, as i was, that the seven churches of revelation are somehow related to the body of christ. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. Today, we begin an eight 8 part series on the book of revelation.
A study of the letters to the seven churches in the book. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in. 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. Revelation the last book of the bible contains jesus final words to his church through 7 letters to 7 churches. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. But, the belief that revelation was completely fulfilled in 70 a. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Their significance is explained in graphic detail, and viewers will gain many insights from. Smyrna, the home of homer and the temple of athena, was a beautiful, bustling seaport. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. John when he received his message was a prisoner on the isle of patmos. Rightly dividing the word is the goal of this article, and it is an indispensable key to proper understanding of the bible. The book of revelation is called the revelation of jesus because it reveals the majesty of his.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are. The church that had abandoned its first love for christ revelation 2. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. The seven churches of the book of revelation religion essay. The seven kingdom of heaven parables in matthew chapter describe in overview the nature of the seven churches of revelation. There is quite a bit of information about them right up to the very moment when the neronic.
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. Some say they are merely representative churches of the one body that have grievously erred and are being warned. The seven churches are representative of the church as a whole. Perfect for personal use, small groups, or to add depth to any revelation bible study.
Most students are eager to get into the action of revelation as soon as possible. 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. In the apostle johns day the seven cities were located in a province of the roman empire called asia, but today they are located in western turkey. When christ is what we promote in the church we will continue to have opportunities to minister outside the walls. In our preaching through the bible we are in the book of the revelation. Enjoy having an easytounderstand overview on the seven churches in revelationpacked with quickreference charts, simple summaries, and a fullcolor map, this quickreference pamphlet explains jesus message to each of the seven churches and shows key information at a glance. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a.
A study of the letters to the seven churches in the book of revelation. This is an exploration of the seven cities and the messages of the risen christ to them. The seven churches in turkey that were mentioned in the book of revelation, is a great place to start. Seven churches of revelation rms bible engineering. Therefore, i would expect to find in these addresses of our lord to the seven churches revelation 2. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in todays church age.
The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. The seven spirits are mentioned four times in the book of revelation, and refer back to isaiah 11. And after about five full months, preaching in the first chapter, we have come to the last message and are beginning these introductory messages into the second and thi. The number seven, the bible numeric, this is the number of perfection. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in. The author of the book of revelation has grouped many things into sevens.
When it comes to official views on each passage, that normally is left to scholars to work out. Seven types of churches that can exist in anytime in church history. The text of the letter from the book of revelation 2. Of all the seven churches in the book of revelation, there is only one that we should strive to be. Ephesus, the gateway to asia minor, was located at a major harbor on the aegean sea and housed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world a temple to.
Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. The seven churches of revelation bible student archives. Well be exploring the 7 letters sent to 7 churches in the late first century. May 12, 20 persecution, is to see how it affected the various churches scattered throughout the diaspora during those two short years before the jewish war. Seven churches of revelation map artwork by kelly cunningham. Nov 27, 2019 through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. The seven churches of revelation, as described in chapters two and three of that book, have intrigued bible expositors down through the age.
Ephesus, the gateway to asia minor, was located at a major harbor on the aegean sea. In revelation, on the greek island of patmos, jesus christ instructs. The visions john sees are of things which are, and. After today which will include our introduction and revelation chapter 1 we will look at the seven 7 cities and seven 7 churches in revelation 23. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. But, primarily we will be looking at how the doctrine given to the seven churches of revelation is the same doctrine that was given to israel in the old testament, and the same as that given in matthew, mark, luke, john, hebrews and the epistles of peter, james, jude, and john. Seven overlapping periods of church history from the birth of the church to the rapture. By counting links in the table below, and ignoring repeated sevens of things in the same verse, the number obtained is seven times seven, or 49. The seven churches the book of revelation was written in a.
256 149 652 341 477 1063 1625 1384 1227 1058 1229 697 890 1329 847 30 526 296 261 434 859 995 1087 94 643 330 126 120 82 219 125 488 801 316 573 764 343 612 447