The number 7 and the book of revelation a heart for god. According to hebrew tradition every number has a symbolic significance. Determining the meaning of the names of the 7 churches. Neither were the seven churches named the only churches in that district, for there were at least three other churches. These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of god, and the seven stars. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation. All seven existed as church congregations in physical cities in the first century. The seven churches described in the book of revelation.
The seven jewish churches in revelation lesson 1 part. Revelation uses the word in various forms twentyone times, more than any other new testament book. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. The number seven is used for the churches jesus speaks to, and the various cycles of judgments dealt on the earth seven seals on the scroll, seven trumpets that are blown, and seven vials that are poured out. No longer meek and mild, christ will put all evil and all enemies under his feet when he returns. 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 church that needed to repent of sin revelation 2. The meaning of the seven churches in the book of revelation to the angel of the church in ephesus write. Some of the meanings of the names of the seven churches provided in our revelation study can be determined through the etymology of the names themselves, while in other cases pastor armstrong relied on the work of other scholars, who have researched the meaning the sources for determining the meaning of each city name are provided below. The 7 churches not in the book of revelation offers a wealth of information from the authors personal experience. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths.
Lesson 52 the seven sevens of the revelation ambassadors. In the book of revelation, jesus christ instructed john to write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. Oh, how blessedly is jesus christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. One of these seven spirits is needed most by each church. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches.
While the story is history for the most part, it was prophetic, written in advance to prepare. Through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. The short letters in revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches. However, the theme of the book is still the exaltation of jesus. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. In other words, if each church had the character of its corresponding spirit, it would have avoided its unique problem. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today and questions of the oecumene. The only reference to his appearance is found in the book of isaiahmore than seven hundred years. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in todays church age.
The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. The meaning of the seven churches in the book of revelation. What are the 7 churches jesus names in the book of revelation. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Tweet the seven churches of revelation is a fascinating study. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible. The church that had abandoned its first love for christ revelation 2. The seven spirits of god are mentioned in the book of revelation.
Are judged out of the book of life and another book outlining their works. A number of expositors down through history have held that the seven churches represent seven sequential stages of church history. Three, seven, ten, and twelve are known as the perfect numbers. This is not johns message to the ephesian believers. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. The seven churches of revelation the greek name for the book of revelation, apoka. The book of revelation is a book of prophecy about what is to come. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. 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 most pastors teach that jesus was just addressing the churches that existed at the time it was written in 95 a. 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. 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.
Script what are the names of the seven churches jesus addresses in the beginning of the book of revelation. The seven churches of asia were a subset of the assemblies to which hebrews, and first and second peter were written. Seven churches, god was pleased with only two churches. The number seven, the bible numeric, this is the number of perfection. 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. Books of the bible revelation seven churches of revelation. When reading the messages to the church, we must keep in mind that although each message was given to the seven churches as originally addressed, the churches also represent a church era in history. The messages to the seven churches introduction to the messages 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. Click on any of the map markers and more information about that place will pop up. First of all, the word church greek ekklesia simply. 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. To the church in ephesus to the angel of the church in ephesus write. In the first century, ephesus was home to a growing church led by the apostle john, once the young disciple of jesus christ.
I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. The beginning chapters of the book of revelation contain 7 letters to the 7 churches. What the bible says about 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 were actually delivered. The name revelation comes from the first word of the book in koine greek. Although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven churches. Interactive map of the seven churches in revelation. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.
The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. The addressees of the book of revelation were seven churches in the roman province of asia. The book is addressed to the seven churches which are in asia. The seven churches of revelation may include at least three fulfillments. Revelation 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. 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. When jesus spoke of the seven stars as seven angels, our first question is, was he speaking of heavenly angels that. The seven successively span the churchs 2,000year history, culminating with the last three eras extant in the last hundred years. Nov 27, 2019 through the bible with les feldick lesson 1 part 1 book 59 the seven jewish churches in revelation. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches rev. Seven is the second perfect number signifying fullness and perfection, especially spiritual perfection. They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word. Do the seven churches in revelation predict seven eras of church history. His characteristics never change what he was, he is, and that he ever will be, blessed be his holy name.
He was a jewish christian prophet, probably belonging to a group of such prophets, and was accepted by the. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey. The list of sevens in revelation agape bible study. 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. When jesus christ gave his message to the church at sardis at the end of the first century, there were congregations in other nearby cities. These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. Yet, as noted in the introductory article seven churches of revelation, sardis and six others were chosen by christ to receive messages that were relevant to them at the time. As a book intended for the end time, the primary instruction in revelation 2 and 3 concerns the endtime church. The lampstands are the churches themselves, set as lights in a dark world. The book of revelation provides descriptions of each church.
What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation. As the following verses show, the entire book of revelation was written to the seven churches that were in asia, not just chapters two and three. The seven churches of revelation 2 and 3 are 7 historical. Detailed description of the seven churches, revelation. More specifically, the letters are addressed to the 7 stars, representing the 7 angels of the churches. A study on the 7 churches in revelation churchleaders. By asia is not meant the great continent of asia, or even the whole of asia minor, but only its western end.
Order the scenes revealed as each seal was opened by the lamb. The 7 churches of revelation ephesus its background youtube. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. The first purpose of the letters was to communicate with.
Jan, 2014 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. 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. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. Whoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. 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. John is responsible for writing the gospel of john, the 3 epistles, and the book of revelation. The list of sevens in revelation new testament charts list scripture study guide.
To the church of laodicea last week we studied the church of philadelphia, an almost perfect church. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. After all, this is the theme of the entire word of god. 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. 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 seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity. How does the church of laodicea compare to our church.
Thankfully, he stresses jesuss saving work as the central point of revelation, downplaying charts and predictions in favor of highlighting jesus as the triumphant servant. Ephesus smyrna pergamos philadelphia thyatira sardis laodicea. The 7 churches of the revelation, and the churches of today. The seven churches of revelation life in a dying world. The author names himself as john, but modern scholars consider it unlikely that the author of revelation also wrote the gospel of john. The book of revelation contains the story of the seven churches. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. Map shows the approximate locations of the cities with the seven churches that are mentioned in the bibles book of revelation. Boices commentary on revelation is like a theological gps that helps the reader to navigate the challenges of understanding the bibles most apocalyptic book. 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. While the dominant genre is apocalyptic, the author sees himself as a christian prophet. The churches are represented by seven golden lampstands. 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.
Churches in this context refers to the community or local congregations of christians living in each city, and not merely to the building or buildings in which they. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven. Jun 08, 2015 the meaning of the seven churches in the book of revelation to the angel of the church in ephesus write. But jesus clearly tells us that the prophetic events which he describes would begin to take. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. As the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john was given a vision of. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. The church whose false prophetess was leading people. The view is known as the historicalprophetical view.
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