Seven-Churches

By David Maas
{SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA}
[Click on the title to open an article]
  1. Recipients of Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (In its entirety, Revelation is addressed to seven very real churches located in the province of Asia in the first century)
  2. The Prologue to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:1-3 - The first paragraph introduces the key themes and characters of the book)
  3. The Season is at Hand - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, the “last days,” began with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus)
  4. Greetings to the Seven Churches - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:4-8 - The salutation from the Throne to the seven churches of Asia highlights the main themes of the book, especially the present reign of Jesus)
  5. A Call to Action - The Seven Beatitudes - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven “beatitudes,” Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution)
  6. Sovereign over the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:4-6 - Jesus is exalted to rule the nations because of his Death and Resurrection)
  7. Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:9 - Exiled on Patmos, John is a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance - “In Jesus”)
  8. The Isle of Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:9 - John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his testimony for Jesus)
  9. First Vision - Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (John's vision of Jesus walking among seven golden lampstands)
  10. THAT Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The “one like a Son of Man” from Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation, the “Son of Man”)
  11. The Seven Churches - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
  12. The Church at Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:1-7 - The messenger of the assembly at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles but chastised for losing his “first love”)
  13. The Church at Smyrna - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:8-11 - The church at Smyrna is promised more tribulation based on its past faithfulness in persecution)
  14. The Church at Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:12-17 - The church at Pergamos is corrected for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam”)
  15. The Church at Thyatira - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:18-29 - The prophetess, “Jezebel,” deceived many saints at Thyatira into accommodating idolatrous practices)
  16. The Church at Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:1-6 - The church in the city of Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and a summons to repent)
  17. The Church at Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:7-13 - Like the church at Smyrna, Philadelphia receives no correction. She is faithful and, therefore, will be kept from the hour of trial)
  18. The Church at Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:14-22 - The church at Laodicea receives no commendation, only correction)
  19. First Vision - Seven Lampstands - (PDF Download; a detailed study about the first vision of Jesus and the Seven Churches of Asia - Revelation 1:8 - 3:22)
{INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTS}
  1. The Lordly Day - {PDF Copy} - (On the isle of Patmos, suddenly, John found himself “in the Spirit,” and projected into the “Day of the Lord” – Revelation 1:9-10)
  2. Kings and Priests - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as “priests” who render service in his Tabernacle by mediating his light in the world)
  3. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (A teaching in several of the churches of Asia that promoted compromise with idolatry and emperor worship)
  4. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:10 - Did Jesus promise to remove the church at Philadelphia from the earth?)
  5. The Beginning of the New Creation of God - (Revelation 3:14 - In Jesus, his death and resurrection, the New Creation commenced) - {PDF Copy}
  6. End-time People of God - {PDF Copy} - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan)
{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]).
Photo by Jandré van der Walt on Unsplash
Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, by Jandré van der Walt on Unsplash

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