What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. First of all, the catholic church does not have an official viewpoint on the book of revelation. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis.
Asia in this book is part of the country that we now call turkey. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. These old testament allusions are not greatly debated, so here we can merely give the references and a summary of their content. The strongest evidence that the book of revelation is not canonical in the orthodox church is that it is not publicly read in the orthodox church. The churches of asia were suffering persecution and hardship. Apocalypse means the revealing of divine mysteries. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog.
If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times this video tutorial is a must see. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. The principal divisions of the book of revelation are the following. Jesus christ writes to his churches in the 1st and 21st centuries. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in todays church age. Although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven churches regarding the vision he received from christ. Grace and peace to you from him who is and was and is to come, and from the sevenfold spirit a before his throne, 5 and from jesus christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. The first purpose of the letters was to communicate with. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Book of revelation explained summary end time message.
Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. Understanding the book of revelation the church of jesus christ. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. In each of the communion liturgies of the lutheran book of worship, in one form or. The influence of the book of revelation on modern worship has proved to be a lasting one, as can be seen from the formal liturgies now in use in our churches. While in patmos, john was seized by the holy spirit and received prophetic visions from christ instructing him to.
Contextual the contextual view holds that revelation grew out of the context of its own time and circumstances. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. The 7 churches to who the letters were addressed were existing churches in asia minor modern turkey. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category.
The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The seven churches of revelation bible study ministry. The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. In the book, there was a letter to each of the churches. Seven churches of revelation summary tables bible explained. Although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title.
Revelation is an apocalyptic prophecy with an epistolary introduction addressed to seven churches in the roman province of asia. The church in the book of revelation westminster theological. The only exceptions to this are some alexandrian churches and the monastery on the isle of patmos itself. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
While it is true that the holy spirit is only one being and not seven separate entities, this can be explained by the rich use of imagery and allegory in apocalyptic literature. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of domitian a. His messages to the seven churches serve as a warning of the judgment to come while extending hope and encouragement to all who will listen. Aug 15, 2018 the strongest evidence that the book of revelation is not canonical in the orthodox church is that it is not publicly read in the orthodox church. The seven successively span the churchs 2,000year history, culminating with the last three eras extant in the last hundred years. The spiritual decline of the 7 churches chapters 2 and 3, also argues for the later date. Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. All seven existed as church congregations in physical cities in the first century. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. Revelation was among the last books accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some churches that derive from the church of the east reject it. The book of revelation was written to address this need.
Understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end it to the seven churches which are in asia. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the mysteries of the. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The seven churches of revelation described in revelation chapters 2 through chapter 3 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. Apr 06, 2020 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Category assignments are somewhat arbitrary in some cases. John is to write down what is revealed what he sees in his vision and send it to the seven churches. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc.
He describes himself as their brother in the family of god. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. No longer meek and mild, christ will put all evil and all enemies under his feet when he returns. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. With further study you can match the descriptions of christ with those in chapter 1. The seven churches of revelation may include at least three fulfillments. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Coronavirus is preventing churches in china from honouring the christian sabbath, something the book of revelation predicted before the end. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Apparently, they were singled out because john had ministered in them. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. Eastern christians became skeptical of the book as doubts concerning its authorship and unusual style were reinforced by aversion to its acceptance by montanists and other groups considered to be heretical. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a. A free bible version and commentary on revelation chapters in easyenglish.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Feb 26, 2020 coronavirus is preventing churches in china from honouring the christian sabbath, something the book of revelation predicted before the end of the world, according to a religious publication. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. While on patmos, john received a long and complicated vision from jesus christ verses 12, 1020 with the instructions. After the exordium, and the seven epistles to the seven churches of asia minor, to whose angels or bishops the book seems to be dedicated, revelation 1. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea were literal churches that existed in asia minor modern turkey during the first century. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The seven churches described in the book of revelation.