This is an introductory message in a series on the seven churches of revelation. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. Seven church ages book pdfbrother branham end time message. 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. 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. Jesus, in his evaluation of them, found them deficient in regard to doing enough good works verse 3. The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation.
Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. The text of the letter from the book of revelation 2. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding. They show us that the church of god and its members were destined to face many trials throughout the centuries before jesus christ would return. Practical lessons from the seven churches of revelation revelation 2 and 3 contain messages from the risen christ to the seven churches of asia. Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. 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. 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. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea were literal churches that existed in asia minor modern turkey during the first century a. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding today.
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. This usage is partly derived from the genesis account of god having created all things in six days and resting on the seventh. Each of these messages includes information apropos to each church, and from these messages we can draw lessons applicable to our own lives today. Some believe the seven churches are only relevant to people living in the 1st century a. 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 mysterious last book of the new testament is not the revelation of st. Revelation uses the word in various forms twentyone times, more than any other new testament book. The seven churches of the apocalypse the church of god. Seven churches of revelation, only two, god was pleased with revelation 1.
Each of the seven messages contains the words of christ for the specific church 24. 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. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. The book of revelation is a book of prophecy about what is to come. We designed this custom study guide to help you understand gods word, engage with the sunday sermons, and spark discussion with your liquid small group. These things says he who has the seven spirits of god and the seven stars.
The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john. These things says the holy one, the one who is true. Some note that although the term church ekklesia is not found in chapters 618 of the book of revelation, saints hagion, rev. 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. Lesson 52 the seven sevens of the revelation the number seven is often used symbolically in the bible to signify completeness. In the book of revelation, jesus consistently takes something physical and symbolically relates it to something spiritual. 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. 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. The entire book sets forth a detailed study of the seven church ages and the various major doctrines contained in revelation, chapters one through three. There are many great lessons that we can learn from the letters to the seven churches of revelation.
A number of expositors down through history have held that the seven churches represent seven sequential stages of church history. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Some believe that the seven churches represent seven periods of church history or seven types of individuals that exist today. 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 addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. 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. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. 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. While the dominant genre is apocalyptic, the author sees himself as a christian prophet.
We all understand that the book of revelation is an endtime book, and its primary focus is on things that shall be. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The names of the seven churches of revelation are symbolic names and represent the church down through the ages from the beginning of the new testament church, right to the end at the second coming of christ jesus, and reveals the condition of the church at different periods in history. 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. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders. The great physicist newton also held this view of the seven churches in revelation as a prophetic picture of the entire church age. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. 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.
I know your works, and that you have a name as if you are alive, but are dead. The short letters are addressed to these specific seven churches of revelation. Though the seven churches of revelation are real churches, the writer uses them allegorically as seven future periods of the church. John was merely the instrument of divine revelation, not its source. A new look at the seven churches of revelation steven m. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. As i discuss them, the discussion for each letter consists of four parts.
The whole book of revelation presents itself as one long letter, as we have seen. The first thing that we should do is to follow the directions of our government and medical experts. Dec 20, 2019 to the angel of the church in philadelphia write. The church that had abandoned its first love for christ revelation 2. 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. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. When 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. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven. Seven phases of the church agethe book of revelation prod. Rightly dividing the word is the goal of this article, and it is an indispensable key to proper understanding of the bible. The entire book constitutes the letterthe letters to the seven individual churches are introductions to the rest of the book, which is addressed to all seven. Practical lessons from the seven churches of revelation.
The seven churches described in the book of revelation. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. The seven churches of revelation 23 is a topic of much speculation. They constitute one of the most incisive new testament exhortations regarding church doctrine and christian living. Lampstand is a better translation for the word candlestick, and is so given in the margin of our bibles. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. The church and the book of revelation commentary a. 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 book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. Following the seven letters in the book of revelation, the apostle records his vision of god on his throne in heaven being hymned unceasingly by angels, the living creatures, and the twenty four elders.
Therefore, revelation is in our bibles today to help us press on in our walk with christ. Modern relevance of the messages to the seven churches of revelation. 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. The trip of a lifetime landed in my lapvisiting the seven churches of revelation. 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. As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. 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. This pamphlet provides simple summaries on the culture, history, and persecution of each church. And, if he were here today, he would be appalled at the title the divine. Revelation 2 begins a series of brief letters to seven churches that existed during the apostle johns time in asia minor modernday turkey.
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 to them. Although a remarkable scientist and mathematician, his greatest passion was to understand biblical prophecy, especially the book of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The short letters in revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches. 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. 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. Mar 21, 2002 how does the church of laodicea compare to our church. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches. And as christians, we need to respond appropriately to it. John the divine, as it has been erroneously called. The holy spirit is presented in seven manifestations of his character and ministry. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible.
What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. 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. A friend and i flew to izmir, turkey, where we rented a car and drove to all seven churches in a quick, threeday trip. In 22 actionpacked chapters, jesus pulls back the curtains. The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one.
According to some, and i am relieved that it has only been a few, covid19 is proof that the plagues of the book of revelation, in particular the seven seals of revelation 6. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. How does the church in ephesus compare with our church. Named for their geographical locations, the churches were. They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word. Both jesus and john stressed love for one another as an authentic proof of the gospel john. Mar 24, 2020 according to some, and i am relieved that it has only been a few, covid19 is proof that the plagues of the book of revelation, in particular the seven seals of revelation 6.
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. There may be an allusion to this fact in gods message to the church found in the book of revelation. To the church of laodicea last week we studied the church of philadelphia, an almost perfect church. The messages to the seven churches of revelation 23 have continuing relevance for us today. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven.
These messages of divine revelation and exhortation are pertinent to christians today. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. Remember, revelation was originally written to seven struggling churches to help them endure in the faith. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. 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.
Understanding the background of each church is vital for correctly understanding the message given to them. 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. And to the angel of the church in philadelphia, write. Secondly, revelation is written chronologically covering events from the early church through life in the future new heaven and earth. While covid19 is likely not one of the seven last plagues of revelation, nor a sign of the end times, it is still very real. They were spiritually dead overall, despite having a reputation of being spiritually alive revelation 3. The church at sardis had a number of faults, although some were faithful. The church that has abandoned its love for christ and his teachings revelation 2. Others believe the seven churches are relevant today. Until recently, i didnt even know all seven churches were located in modernday turkey.
The very first verse of the book provides an appropriate title, and reveals both the source and destination of the message. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. The book of revelation provides insight into the spiritual health of seven ancient churches in modernday turkey. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. Easytounderstand overview on the 7 churches in the book of revelation. Seven is a number of completion and perfection, so jesus is in the midst of the entire global church, his body.
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