Messages to 7
Churches
of Revelation
Topic for this series:
Messages to the 7 churches of
Revelation –Revelation 2, 3
Not the topic:
Revelation 4-22
Blessed is the one who
reads, and those who hear
the words of the prophecy
and keep the things which
are written in it; for the time
is near.
Rev 1:3
Background
Written by the Apostle John
Contains three types of literature:
•Apocalyptic –meaning uncovering or
revealing, characterized by symbolism
•Prophetic –foretelling future events
•Epistolary –letter form
Why is there so much symbolism in this
book? David Jeremiah offered three
reasons: Symbolism is not weakened by
time. Symbols impart values and arouse
emotions. And symbols can be used as a
secret code.
How can we
apply these
messages?
There have been and are remarkable parallels
between the conditions in these seven local
churches and the conditions in the western
church as history has unfolded from the first
century to the twenty-first. Their order has
proven to be prophetic, although there is no
statement in the text that God intended them
to be prophetic. Nevertheless, the situations
that these churches faced represent
characteristic situations that the church
throughout history has faced—at any given
time—in various geographical locations. Each
letter is applicable to the church today to the
extent that local churches find themselves in
similar circumstances. T. Constable
The church
identification
(location)
A name or
description of
Jesus
Commendation
Rebuke
A promise as an
incentive for
faithful obedience
Consider each of the 7 churches and look for:
What the passage tells us about Jesus
What the passage commends, and see if we are-or could be doing something
like that
What is rebuked, and see if we should stop or avoid that
Learn about the promises to those who faithfully obey
Names
and
attributes
of Christ
Each of the 7 sections include
something about Jesus that applies to
that church
Many (if not all) of the names echo the
attributes set forth in chapter 1.
Rev 1:4-16 present several descriptions
of Jesus’ and his actions.
Revelation
1:4-8
Revelation
1:4-8
Why is there so much
symbolism in this book?
David Jeremiah offered
three reasons:
Symbolism is not
weakened by time.
Symbols impart
values and arouse
emotions. And
symbols can be used
as a secret code.
T. Constable
Revelation
1:9-16
Thomas Constable
Charles Swete
Understanding
what it means
We need to consider and research (using
credible sources) these various symbolic
descriptions.
The best source is the Bible!
•Note the numerous verses cited in
the previous slide
•See V20 - the seven stars are the
angels of the seven churches, and
the seven lampstands are the seven
churches.
Why did John (and the Holy Spirit who
inspired him) want to emphasize so much
about Jesus in this letter?
Messages to 7
Churches
of Revelation
