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. 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)
  3. People of the Last Days - {PDF Copy} - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan)
  4. Prologue to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:1-3 - The first paragraph introduces the key themes and characters of the book)
  5. The Season is at Hand - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, the “last days,” began with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus)
  6. What Must Come to Pass - {PDF Copy} - (From the beginning, Revelation states that its purpose is to show God’s servants “what things must soon come to pass”)
  7. Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:4-8 - The salutation from the Throne to the seven churches of Asia highlights the main themes of the book)
  8. Call to Persevere - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution)
  9. Supremacy over the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the kings of the earth and even his enemies)
  10. Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:9 - Exiled on Patmos, John is a “fellow participant” in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance - “In Jesus”)
  11. Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to Patmos for his testimony – A fellow participant in the Tribulation and Perseverance in Jesus)
  12. 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)
  13. The 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)
  14. The Seven Spirits of God - {PDF Copy} - (Greetings are sent to the seven churches of Asia from God, Jesus, and the seven spirits of God that are before the throne)
  15. Royal Priesthood - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as “priests” who render service in his Tabernacle by mediating his light in the world)
  16. THAT Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The one like a Son of Man from Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man)

{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} - (After persevering through persecution, the ever-faithful church at Smyrna was promised even more “tribulation” but also great rewards)
  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. Martyrs and Overcomers - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in the testimony of Jesus no matter the cost, “even unto death”)
  6. Inhabitants of the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (The inhabitants of the earth represent the men and women who are excluded from the book of life by their own decisions)
  7. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (A teaching in several of the churches of Asia that promoted compromise with idolatry and emperor worship)
  8. 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)
  9. Arrayed in White Garments - Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (The church in the city of Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and a summons to repent)
  10. Pillar in the Sanctuary - Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial)
  11. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:10 - Did Jesus promise to remove the church at Philadelphia from the earth?)
  12. Gold Refined by Fire -Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections, and warnings. Its hope lies in becoming “gold refined by fire”)
  13. 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])