The Seven Churches of Revelation

We’re going on a journey of• Discovery • ExplorationExegesis: - what it meant when it was writtenHermeneutics: - what it means now Context and CultureApplication

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”

- 1Timothy 3:16-17 (NIVUK)

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Location• Modern day TurkeyRevelation • Written by John – last

surviving disciple• One Jesus loved who

Jesus entrusted to care for Mary

• Prophetic book – picture language; visionary

• John exiled to Patmos• Eventually released he

moved to live in Ephesus

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Addressed to• The angel of the

church at…• MessengersAuthor• Jesus!• John is the scribe • 7 stars | 7

lampstands“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

“I know…”

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Structure – 7 “A’s”• Address – greeting• Attribute – a pictorial title of Jesus• Approval – commendation• Accusation – criticisms• Advice – helpful guidance• Assurance – promise• Appeal – to move forward

The Churches of Revelation

Ephesus• Major commercial and cultural hub• Visited by Paul twice• Wrote epistles there• Sent Timothy to oversee the church• Now abandoned and deserted

Revelation 2:1-7 (NIVUK)

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. 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. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:1-7 (NIVUK)

Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favour: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Key Messages• Jesus holds us and walks with us• He’ll never leave us

• Jesus knows us and what’s happening• Hard work | perseverance |

hardship• Test false teaching | teachers• Don’t let others “lord it over you” • Wrong beliefs lead to wrong

behaviours• We can’t mix and match our faith

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” – Romans 12:9 (NIVUK)

Key Messages• Problem – lost their first love• Not mislaid but abandoned• Which love?• So serious Jesus will close a church

down• We’re called to a deeper

relationship with Jesus – one of intimacy and obedience

• 3 “R’s”• Reconsider• Repent• Restart

• Reward“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” – Revelation 2:5 (NIVUK)