Seven Churches

By David Maas
{REVELATION 1 - 3}

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{INTRODUCTION TO THE CHURCHES}
  1. Introduction to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (The book of Revelation is an account of the visions received by John while in exile on the Isle of Patmos)
  2. Revelation of Jesus Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The Prologue of Revelation presents the key themes of the Book and declares that the season of fulfillment has arrived – Revelation 1:1-3)
  3. Recipients of the Book - {PDF Copy} - (In its entirety, Revelation is addressed to  the seven real churches located in the Roman province of Asia in the first century)
  4. An End Time People - {PDF Copy} - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan)
  5. The Season is Here! - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, the period known as the Last Days began following the death, resurrection, and enthronement of Jesus)
  6. What Things Must Occur - {PDF Copy} - (From the start, Revelation declares its purpose is to show God’s servants what things must SOON COME TO PASS – Revelation 1:1-3)
  7. Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (The salutations from the throne highlight key themes of the book, especially the victory and present reign of Jesus)
  8. He Who Is - {PDF Copy} - (Greetings are sent to the Seven Assemblies of Asia from God, Jesus, and the Seven Spirits of God that are before the Throne)
  9. The Seven Spirits of God - {PDF Copy} - (Greetings are sent to the Seven Assemblies of Asia from God, Jesus, and the Seven Spirits of God that are before the Throne)
  10. The Faithful Witness - {PDF Copy} - (In the greetings sent to the Seven Assemblies, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness because of his self-sacrificial death – Revelation 1:5)
  11. Call to Persevere - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution)
  12. Ruler of Kings - {PDF Copy} - (The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth and even over his enemies, and he is shepherding the nations)
  13. Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Exiled on Patmos, John is a fellow participant in the tribulation, the kingdom, and the endurance that are in Jesus – Revelation 1:9)
  14. Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to Patmos because of his testimony – A fellow participant in the Tribulation and Perseverance in Jesus - Revelation 1:9)
  15. The Lordly Day - {PDF Copy} - (On the isle of Patmos, John found himself “in the Spirit” and projected into the “Day of the Lord” – Revelation 1:9-10)
  16. The Risen Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The first vision presents the image of one “like the Son of Man” who was walking among the churches of Asia)
  17. Priestly Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light and Word in the World)
  18. The Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his authority)

{THE LETTERS}
  1. Seven Churches - Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches of Asia prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
  2. Tree of Life - Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles, chastised for leaving his first love, and summoned to return to his first works)
  3. Faithful Until Death - {PDF Copy} - (The Assembly in Smyrna has faithfully persevered and is exhorted to continue to do so, even UNTIL DEATH - Revelation 2:8-11)
  4. Hold Fast My Name - Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Pergamos receives praise for remaining faithful to his name, but correction for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam” )
  5. Faithful Witnesses - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus is the Faithful Witness who summons his disciples to emulate his example by giving faithful testimony before a hostile world)
  6. Inhabitants of the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (The inhabitants of the Earth represent the men and women who are omitted from the Book of Life because they submit to the Beast)
  7. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (A teaching in several of the churches of Asia that promoted compromise with idolatry and emperor worship)
  8. Thyatira - Hear the Spirit! - {PDF Copy} - (The call to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches begins to intensify after the warning about the teachings of Jezebel – Revelation 2:18-29)
  9. Food Offered to Idols - {PDF Copy}  -  (Daniel and his three companions refused to participate in the religious rituals of the Babylonian World-Empire)
  10. Arrayed in White Garments - Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (The church in Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and is summoned to repent while time remains – Revelation 3:1-6)
  11. Faithful Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial)
  12. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (The hour of trial will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10)
  13. Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger in Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections and warnings. The only hope is refinement in fire – Revelation 3:14-22)
  14. Beginning of the Creation - (Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}

{COMMENTARIES - SEVEN CHURCHES}
  1. The Epistles to the Seven Churches, (By Richard Trench. PDF - Read online or download [public domain]).
  2. Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia, (By William Ramsay. Read online or download PDF [Christian Classics Ethereal Library - ccel.org])

Lighthouse under stars - Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash
[Lighthouse Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash]

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