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The Seven Churches of Asia in Revelation: Understanding the Messages

Explore the significance of the seven churches in Asia as outlined in Revelation 2-3, including common patterns in the letters, the Book of Revelation's apocalyptic style, and the meaning of John's vision of Christ among the lampstands.

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The Seven Churches of Asia in Revelation: Understanding the Messages

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  1. The Seven Churches of Asia Revelation 2-3

  2. Seven Churches of Asia Ephesus - Left Their First Love Smyrna - Poor-Rich Church Pergamos - Where Satan Dwells Thyatira - Compromising Church Sardis - Dead Church Philadelphia - An Open Door Laodicea - Self-Sufficient Church

  3. A Common Patternto the Seven Letters • Identification • Commendation • Complaint • Counsel • Promise

  4. Common Statements • “To the angel of the church” • “I know your works” • “To him who overcomes” • “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

  5. The Book of Revelation • a book of signs and symbols - Rev. 1:1 • written in Apocalyptic style

  6. Christ Among the Lampstands Revelation 1:10-20

  7. The Meaning of John’s Vision

  8. The Meaning of John’s Vision • seven golden lampstands • one like the Son of Man • garment down to the feet • girded with a gold band • head, hair white as wool, snow • eyes like a flame of fire

  9. The Meaning of John’s Vision • feet as fine brass, refined in furnace • voice as sound of many waters • seven stars in His right hand • two-edged sword out of His mouth • countenance like the sun

  10. The Meaning of John’s Vision • It is not important what we know what Jesus looks like. • It is important that we understand and respect His authority and power. • It is also important that we learn the lesson of John’s reaction (v. 17).

  11. Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7

  12. Ephesus • Pop. 250,000 • Asia Minor’s most important seaport • Three trade routes converged • “Supreme Metropolis of Asia” • A free city

  13. Ephesus - A Privileged Church • Paul spent over three years in Ephesus • From Ephesus, the gospel was spread throughout all Asia Minor • Paul warned the Ephesian elders • Timothy was left there • John lived there

  14. A Common Patternto the Seven Letters • Identification • Commendation • Complaint • Counsel • Promise

  15. Identification • He who holds the seven stars in His right hand • Who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands • Stresses the Lord’s firsthand knowledge, awareness and concern for the church.

  16. Commendation • They Worked and Labored • They Could Not Bear Evil Men • They Hated the Deeds of the Nicolatians • They Persevered in the Work and Had Not Grown Weary

  17. Complaint “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

  18. Counsel • Remember • Repent • Do the First Works • Warning “I will come quickly and remove your lampstand”

  19. Promise • To him who overcomes • I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God

  20. Ephesus • They were faithful - but lacking • Their outward works were not complimented by an inward love for Christ • It is good that a church is known for their faithfulness, but they also need to be known for their love • Have I left my first love?

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