Jesus had some good things to say to them. Over 1900 years ago, seven churches received a letter. Sardis. For Instructors and School Administrators. Philadelphia: Church Faithful (3:7-13) As He did to the other churches, Christ said to Philadelphia, “I … What John saw in the right hand of Jesus was seven stars. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting (JSOT Press, 1989), p283; Clarance Larkin - The Book of Revelation Illustrated . The two cities that held out longest before the Turkish conquest are the only two churches fully praised (Smyrna and Philadelphia). Although closer in location to Sardis, the Philadelphian Christians’ situation resembles that of their fellow believers in Smyrna, roughly sixty miles to the west. Please check errors and resubmit. Thyatira 2:18-29 5. Hail & fire (8:7) 1. Given the high degree of assimilation of North American Christians to our culture’s values—more time spent on entertainment than on witness, more money spent on our comfort than on human need—the prognosis for the society as a whole is not good. The letters to the seven churches are “prophetic letters.” We have numerous examples of this kind of writing: These letters also bear some resemblance to “ancient royal and imperial edicts.” They resemble even more closely the biblical format of oracles concerning various peoples. We know from Acts 13:14–50 and 14:15 that a significant Jewish community lived in and around Laodicea. 7 Days. If Ephesian Christians were tempted by rigidity and lovelessness, Smyrnean Christians by persecution, and Pergamum’s Christians by persecution and prophets of compromise, economic pressures were inviting compromise on the part of Thyatira’s Christians. We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale for providing this plan. Because Laodicea had to pipe in its water, it grew lukewarm by the time of its arrival. Those people would read it and then send it on to the next town or city. In trying to get all of our ducks in a row by determining how to live and what to pour our energy into. It included between 120,000 and 200,000 inhabitants. What do the letters tell us about the seven churches in Revelation? In our own materialistic age, it is only too easy to miss the meaning of this book. No matter how many other things we do right, if we get this one wrong, we've missed the point. Some Bible scholars noticed it as early as the seventeenth century. Jesus’ message to Smyrna highlights contrasts: the one “who is the First and the Last,” who was dead but came to life, speaks to those who are impoverished yet rich, persecuted by those who claim to be Jews but are not, and will, like Jesus, find life in death. On the one hand, instead of seeing it as something written to inspire and to capture the imagination, we quickly reduce it to a timetable of events. Now that we know how the letters were written and structured, let’s take a look at how the churches would have read and received them. Pergamum 2:12-17 4. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, New Living Translation. by Don Koenig Introduction to the seven letters: In chapter one we read what John saw when he was in the spirit and encountered the risen Lord. Laodicea lay in Phrygia’s Lycus Valley, ten miles west of Colosse and six miles south of Hierapolis. Jesus gave them a warning to save them from disaster. Revelation 2:1–7. Philadelphia – the faithful church that had endured patiently and … Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more. Is Western Christianity genuinely different enough from our cultures to delay God’s judgment on our societies? Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version. The Philadelphian church had only a “little strength,” but has proved successful in standing in that strength. However, they seem to have blended into Greek culture in many respects. John was writing the letters to them. Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Publishers. Ephesus – Rev 2:1 quoting Rev 1:12-13, 16, 20 Revelation 2 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) The Letters to the Seven Churches The Letter to Ephesus. How were they read and understood in the first century? The idea there is a prophetic message hidden in the letters to the seven churches is not new. Your form could not be submitted. This online course features New Testament scholar Craig Keener teaching through the book of Revelation. The church at Philadelphia is a shining example of how to do it right. But the word literally means "an unveiling"—something that has been hidden for some time is now being revealed. The plural noun also points to a broader audience and the present tense verb (“saying”) signifies ongoing action. 25–32; Amos 1–2. Revelation 2:1-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Letters to the Seven Churches The Letter to Ephesus. He asks that we remain true to his word and stand for his name. Reviving a Dead Church. Philadelphia (3:7-13) Laodicia (3:14-22) Portrayal of Jesus Praise for the Church Criticism of the Church Exhortation: A. Correction/ Encouragement B. Penalty/ Reward Promises to Overcomers General Admonition 13–23; Jer. But then, it wasn't the best either. So there's plenty to look at. The citizens of Pergamum had the foresight to take the lead in joining Rome to defeat the other kings of the eastern Mediterranean, thereby securing for themselves special favor. If we miss that, we've missed it all. To the angel of the church in a given city, write: Jesus (depicted in glory, often in terms from 1:13–18) says: I know (in most instances offers some praise), But I have this against you (offers some reproof, where applicable), The one who has ears must pay attention to what the Spirit says, Like all John’s audience (1:3; 13:9; 22:17), each church must. It’s 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. They didn’t have a mail system like we do so they would send the letter by messenger to the first town. Christianity Today strengthens the church by richly communicating the breadth of the true, good, and beautiful gospel. letters of chapters 2 and 3 have a representative as well as a specific purpose Revelation 2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) The Letters to the Seven Churches The Letter to Ephesus. These letters are intended as a particular encouragement to real churches at a specific point of their histories. The Church that Fell Asleep This is because no public postal service existed—apart from those tasked with carrying messages regarding the official business of the empire. Publisher. Pergamum was a famous city that had long prospered. The short letters in Revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches: Ephesus: The church that had abandoned its first love for Christ (Revelation 2:4). Revelation 2:18–29. Repent … What does God mean when he asks us to be holy as he is holy. Revelation 2:8–11. That the letters to the seven churches often betray characteristics of the cities in which these churches flourished reminds us how easily churches can reflect the values of their culture if we do not remain vigilant against those values. But it also included letters written to each of the seven churches by name. Philadelphia 3:7-13 7. To what degree are the messages to the particular churches distinctive, and to what degree should they be read as samples of what is addressed to all the churches? When a local church is intended, the word “church” is either identified with a specific place (e.g. For three centuries Smyrna had been one of the most important cities in Asia Minor. A messenger coming from Patmos—where John wrote—would reach Ephesus first, so Ephesus makes sense as the first letter. And some bad things. In Oriental lands the sharing of a common meal indicates a strong bond of affection and companionship, and becomes a symbol of the intimacy to be enjoyed in the coming messianic kingdom (see Luke 22:30; Revelation 19:9). Revelation 3:7–13. Ancient sources state that it was full of sediment, and excavation of the city’s terra cotta pipes reveal thick lime deposits, which suggest heavy contamination. Fresh water turns to blood (4) Powers of heavens shaken (29) 6. The Transforming Vision Before we look at these letters as a whole, let’s briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. In each Letter of Chapter 2 & 3, Jesus refers back to an attribute in chapter 1. Revelation 1:1–20. Who were the recipients of these letters? Sea like blood (3) 3. Enhance your school’s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust. The church at Thyatira had a false prophetess in its midst who was leading its people astray. We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale for providing this plan. Earthquake, sun dark, moon blood, stars fall, earth moves (12-14) 4. 3:1-6) Only a faithful remnant have kept the faith. 2 “Write to the angel [] of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. But Jesus’ word to Sardis summons a sleeping church to wake up. The Letter to the church in Ephesus. Revelation commentary: chapter 2 - first 4 letters to seven churches. Each of the seven letters is a prophetic word from Jesus, through the Spirit, who is inspiring John to write. This letter addresses Sardis, a “dead” church. 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