The Seven Letters to The Seven Churches
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· 8 viewsThe seven letters to the seven churches (Introduction).
Notes
Transcript
Before we begin our study of the seven letters to seven churches allow me to give some insights that will help to understand the significance of these letters to each of these churches.
Why did Jesus command John to write to seven churches? These letters to the seven churches are historical churches during the time of John’s writing. And each letter deals with actual conditions of church life in John’s day and these letters also reveal the condition of every church throughout the church age.
Why did Jesus command John to write to seven churches? These letters to the seven churches are historical churches during the time of John’s writing. And each letter deals with actual conditions of church life in John’s day and these letters also reveal the condition of every church throughout the church age.
Why only seven, weren’t there other churches?
Why only seven, weren’t there other churches?
Yes, there were many churches that existed, even some that were well known, yet Jesus chose to only instruct John to write to these seven. Seven is the number of completion and these seven churches represent conditions that represent the character of all churches throughout history.
Yes, there were many churches that existed, even some that were well known, yet Jesus chose to only instruct John to write to these seven. Seven is the number of completion and these seven churches represent conditions that represent the character of all churches throughout history.
Each letter is written to a specific church, all the letters close with the words “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (plural).” Therefore, each letter is relevant to all the churches, not only to these seven, but to all the churches throughout the church age.
Each letter is written to a specific church, all the letters close with the words “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (plural).” Therefore, each letter is relevant to all the churches, not only to these seven, but to all the churches throughout the church age.
The Seven Churches Presents A Different Aspect Of Jesus’ Glorious Appearance, Power, and Authority.
The Seven Churches Presents A Different Aspect Of Jesus’ Glorious Appearance, Power, and Authority.
Each letter to the seven churches has an opening statement that is taken from the description of Jesus that John saw and recorded in chapter one.
Each letter to the seven churches has an opening statement that is taken from the description of Jesus that John saw and recorded in chapter one.
Ephesus 2:1 - “Seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (1:16, 13)
Ephesus 2:1 - “Seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (1:16, 13)
Smyrna 2:8 - “the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life” (1:17-18)
Smyrna 2:8 - “the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life” (1:17-18)
Pergamum 2:12 - “The double edged sword” (1:16)
Pergamum 2:12 - “The double edged sword” (1:16)
Thyatira 2:18 - “Eyes like a fiery flame; feet were like bronze as it is fired in a furnace (1:14-15)
Thyatira 2:18 - “Eyes like a fiery flame; feet were like bronze as it is fired in a furnace (1:14-15)
Sardis 3:1 - “Seven spirits and seven stars (1:4, 16)
Sardis 3:1 - “Seven spirits and seven stars (1:4, 16)
Philadelphia 3:7 - “Holding the keys (1:18)
Philadelphia 3:7 - “Holding the keys (1:18)
Laodicea 3:14 - “Faithful witness (1:5)
Laodicea 3:14 - “Faithful witness (1:5)
The Parallelism of the seven letters. Although each letter differ in length of size, but each letter consist of seven parts.
The Parallelism of the seven letters. Although each letter differ in length of size, but each letter consist of seven parts.
(1) The address to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor. (2) An aspect of the Lord’s appearance to John at Patmos. (3) An evaluation of the spiritual health of the individual church. (4) Words of praise or rebuke. (5) Words of exhortation. (6) Promises to overcome. (7) Each church is commanded to listen what the Spirit says to the churches.
(1) The address to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor. (2) An aspect of the Lord’s appearance to John at Patmos. (3) An evaluation of the spiritual health of the individual church. (4) Words of praise or rebuke. (5) Words of exhortation. (6) Promises to overcome. (7) Each church is commanded to listen what the Spirit says to the churches.
The first three individual letters to the churches, Ephesus (2:7), Smyrna (2:11), and Pergamum (2:17), close with promises.
The first three individual letters to the churches, Ephesus (2:7), Smyrna (2:11), and Pergamum (2:17), close with promises.
The last four (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) letters end with the command to “listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The last four (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) letters end with the command to “listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
There are four churches that Jesus commends and rebukes: Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. He praises two: Smyrna and Philadelphia. And He rebukes Laodicea.
There are four churches that Jesus commends and rebukes: Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. He praises two: Smyrna and Philadelphia. And He rebukes Laodicea.
As a reminder the seven churches also represent every church throughout the church age. As one writer said, “the seven letters are addressed to every place where God’s people gather for worship, fellowship, and outreach.”
As a reminder the seven churches also represent every church throughout the church age. As one writer said, “the seven letters are addressed to every place where God’s people gather for worship, fellowship, and outreach.”
Jesus wanted these seven letters to be read by the seven churches. And these letters were also shared by the whole church to other churches and individuals, these seven letters are to be read in all churches today. This is something that Paul encouraged believers to do in his letters (Col. 4:16; 1 Thess 5:27).
Jesus wanted these seven letters to be read by the seven churches. And these letters were also shared by the whole church to other churches and individuals, these seven letters are to be read in all churches today. This is something that Paul encouraged believers to do in his letters (Col. 4:16; 1 Thess 5:27).
The Omniscience of Jesus Christ
The seven letters begin with a statement of the Jesus’ omniscience. Jesus says “I know your works or deeds” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). Knowing that Jesus is omniscient is comforting for there isn’t a problem that we are going through that He does not know or care about. But it is also reminds us to be careful for He knows every aspect of our lives and this should make us walk by the Spirit for we are being watched by Jesus’ fiery eyes (1:14) that sees our thoughts and actions.
The seven letters begin with a statement of the Jesus’ omniscience. Jesus says “I know your works or deeds” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). Knowing that Jesus is omniscient is comforting for there isn’t a problem that we are going through that He does not know or care about. But it is also reminds us to be careful for He knows every aspect of our lives and this should make us walk by the Spirit for we are being watched by Jesus’ fiery eyes (1:14) that sees our thoughts and actions.
The letters to the seven churches are written by John, but Jesus is who revealed Himself to to John and instructed him to write, which forms the basis of the introduction to the seven letters to the churches. It is Jesus who addresses Himself to the seven churches with the repetitive use of the personal pronoun I, while John who has been given apostolic authority serves merely as the secondary author of these letters.
The letters to the seven churches are written by John, but Jesus is who revealed Himself to to John and instructed him to write, which forms the basis of the introduction to the seven letters to the churches. It is Jesus who addresses Himself to the seven churches with the repetitive use of the personal pronoun I, while John who has been given apostolic authority serves merely as the secondary author of these letters.
Another point to remember that Jesus instructs John to write letters to the seven churches, and these letters are part of the book of Revelation that is to be given to the seven churches. Revelation 1:11 “saying, “Write on a scroll (Biblion: Book) what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
Another point to remember that Jesus instructs John to write letters to the seven churches, and these letters are part of the book of Revelation that is to be given to the seven churches. Revelation 1:11 “saying, “Write on a scroll (Biblion: Book) what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
Jesus’ promise to all believers is that those who overcome will be blessed (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21); and they will one day hear Jesus say these words in Revelation 22:12–13 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Jesus’ promise to all believers is that those who overcome will be blessed (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21); and they will one day hear Jesus say these words in Revelation 22:12–13 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Jesus’ promise to all believers who overcome will be given the right to eat from the tree of life in paradise. Revelation 2:7 ““Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Jesus’ promise to all believers who overcome will be given the right to eat from the tree of life in paradise. Revelation 2:7 ““Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
And those believers who overcome, and have the name of God and his city, the new Jerusalem, written on them are allowed to enter (Rev. 3:12; 21:27; 22:14).
And those believers who overcome, and have the name of God and his city, the new Jerusalem, written on them are allowed to enter (Rev. 3:12; 21:27; 22:14).
The seven churches faced dangers that were common to all of them. They had to endure opposition from enemies outside the church and deception from individuals from inside the church. They were slandered by Jews (Rev. 2:9); one of Jesus’ faithful witness Antipas was killed in the city where Satan lives (Rev. 2:13).
The seven churches faced dangers that were common to all of them. They had to endure opposition from enemies outside the church and deception from individuals from inside the church. They were slandered by Jews (Rev. 2:9); one of Jesus’ faithful witness Antipas was killed in the city where Satan lives (Rev. 2:13).
Then there was the prophetess called Jezebel who wanted the followers of Christ to participate in her idolatry, immorality, and indulgence (Revelation 2:20–25).
Then there was the prophetess called Jezebel who wanted the followers of Christ to participate in her idolatry, immorality, and indulgence (Revelation 2:20–25).
The false apostles and the Nicolaitans who were introducing false doctrines (Rev. 2:2, 6, 15). The seven churches were being tempted to compromise their faith and giving in to them it would prove deadly to the believers’ faith.
The false apostles and the Nicolaitans who were introducing false doctrines (Rev. 2:2, 6, 15). The seven churches were being tempted to compromise their faith and giving in to them it would prove deadly to the believers’ faith.
They faced the temptation to become lax in their Christian conduct and the enticement to rely on earthly riches (Rev. 3:1, 17). Sound familiar?
They faced the temptation to become lax in their Christian conduct and the enticement to rely on earthly riches (Rev. 3:1, 17). Sound familiar?
But Jesus commanded these churches to be faithful to the end and to hold on to what they had. If they did, they would have the privilege of sitting with Jesus on His throne. Revelation 3:21 “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
But Jesus commanded these churches to be faithful to the end and to hold on to what they had. If they did, they would have the privilege of sitting with Jesus on His throne. Revelation 3:21 “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
