In revelation 23, we find these churches included ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders. Travel to the land of the bible with host joe stowell to visit the ancient sites of the seven churches described in revelation. We all understand that the book of revelation is an endtime book, and its primary focus is on things that shall be. Most pastors teach that messiah was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. Its been almost 2,000 years since the apostle john was instructed by jesus to write letters to the seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation. 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. Secondly, revelation is written chronologically covering events from the early church through life in the future new heaven and earth. The church of philadelphia, god was pleased with the church of philadelphia, why. At the end of each letter jesus tells those who overcome what reward. John was merely the instrument of divine revelation, not its source.
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. The book of revelation contains seven letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. John the divine, as it has been erroneously called. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today.
As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. Why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the book of revelation. Therefore they tend to skip over chapters two and three in the book of revelation without realizing their importance. 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. Who are the seven churches in the book of revelation. John the apostle addressed seven letters to seven real churches that existed during the time he wrote the book of revelation. And, if he were here today, he would be appalled at the title the divine.
Revelation uses the word in various forms twentyone times, more than any other new testament book. Steve moutria is still with and has not returned to. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. The seven churches are representative of the church as a whole. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. As i discuss them, the discussion for each letter consists of four parts.
What should we learn from the letters to the seven. What should we learn from the letters to the seven churches in revelation. One of the best ways to learn something the right way is to observe a practice in the wrong way. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. In the main text of the general significance of various cultural groups is also mentioned. Apr 19, 2017 this teaching has been reuploaded with a modification to the opening graphics. 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. May 31, 2017 if you put together all of the promises to the 7 churches of revelation, the sum total of all of the promises to the believers of those churches are very similar to what paul the apostle wrote in his church epistles, with one crucial difference.
More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches. Easytounderstand overview on the 7 churches in the book of revelation. It is also possible to explore the question of whether qualities similar to those of the 7 churches are present within todays churches or groups within churches and christian movements. The book of revelation is a book of prophecy about what is to come.
But those seven letters also have an uncanny prophetic significance. Scholars have wondered for years why such an important message would be sent to these churches especially since they were not the most important churches. The comparison of a teacher to a star is scriptural. 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 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. Seven churches of revelation map artwork by kelly cunningham. Click download or read online button to get understanding the 7 churches of revelation book now. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the church. The very first verse of the book provides an appropriate title, and reveals both the source and destination of the message. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth.
The seven churches of revelation sermon by larry cockerham. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. So what jesus is teaching us in these seven letters is all about doctrine. Why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the. The 7 churches of revelation, dvd christian book distributors. Ephesus, pergamon, laodicea, sardis, thyatira, smyrna, philadelphia churches. The mysterious last book of the new testament is not the revelation of st. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible. Understanding the 7 churches of revelation download ebook. The text of the letter from the book of revelation 2. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background.
The seven churches described in the book of revelation. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. His messages to the seven churches serve as a warning of the judgment to come while extending hope and encouragement to all who will listen. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. To visit these 7 churches and the island of patmos, join us on a luxury christian cruise and bible study tour. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in.
The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in todays church age. Jun 01, 2001 the 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. Seven churches of revelation rms bible engineering. Jesus had warnings and encouragements for the seven churches in the book of revelation. Most students are eager to get into the action of revelation as soon as possible. The meaning of the 7 churches of revelation 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. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven. 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. The churches in asia minor modern day turkey when john wrote the book of revelations in patmos 2. 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.
Johns belief in jesus as the resurrected savior of. The seven churches the book of revelation was written in a. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. Tweet the seven churches of revelation is a fascinating study. This study guide, the seven letters of revelation, focuses primarily on christs commendations and criticisms of the seven churches in asia minor. 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 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. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. 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. Churches in this context refers to the community or local congregations of christians living in each city, and not merely. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. Gain insights into gods love for the world, his warning and correction for the churches, and his hope and encouragement for the future. Viewed in hindsight, the seven letters seem to chart the historical unfolding of the christian church from then until now. We also see the lords opinion of those churches, and what they were doing at the time.
He praised, encouraged, challenged, and warned each church so that they may be faithful to the end. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today. The seven churches of revelation bible student archives. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation. While the dominant genre is apocalyptic, the author sees himself as a christian prophet. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in 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 churches are represented by seven golden lampstands. To the church of laodicea last week we studied the church of philadelphia, an almost perfect church. 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. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for.
The beginning chapters of the book of revelation contain 7 letters to the 7 churches. The seven churches of the apocalypse the church of god. How does the church of laodicea compare to our church. Were the messages to these churches intended mainly for the congregations to which they were sent during the apostolic period. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. Get a fresh perspective on the book of revelation and jesus message to churches in all times. Dec 20, 2019 why did god call out those seven churches in particular in the book of revelation. This pamphlet provides simple summaries on the culture, history, and persecution of each church. One important thing to note in the book of revelation is that after chapter 3 the letters to the 7 churches, the church is no longer mentioned in the book. Though the seven churches of revelation are real churches, the writer uses them allegorically as seven future periods of the church.
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. Most pastors teach that jesus was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. Therefore, the seven churches of revelation are all about doctrine. 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. Jun 11, 2015 3 key features of roses seven churches of revelation pamphlet. For the 7 churches of revelation, all of the promises are stated in the future tense. In the first century, ephesus was home to a growing church led by the apostle john, once the young disciple of jesus christ. Works is one of several main factors jesus uses to make his judgment whether or not a believer overcomes or conquers. The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john. There are many great lessons that we can learn from the letters to the seven churches of revelation. The seven churches of revelation, as described in chapters two and three of that book, have intrigued bible expositors down through the age. 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. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience.
Understanding the background of each church is vital for correctly understanding the message given to them. These timeless letters reveal a message of gods love through the death and resurrection of his son jesus, identify and provide correction for problems in the church, and offer hope and encouragement for the future. 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. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. The assumption is that the rapture of the church takes place at the beginning of revelation 4, when john hears from a voice as a trumpet. In these letters, jesus addresses the spiritual health of each church. Christians who read revelation for the first time may wonder why this book, which is primarily about end times prophecy, should first include these messages to seven specific historical churches in chapters 2 and 3. From doctrine proceed all of the attributes of the christian life whether good or bad. In looking at the letters to the 7 churches, we see the lord speaking directly to the 7 churches that existed in the holy land at the time john lived. 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.