The Seven Churches of Asia 1 Introduction Johns
- Slides: 28
The Seven Churches of Asia (1) Introduction
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Ø Revelation is apocalyptic (meaning symbolic or hidden language) Ø A book about God’s judgment against the ungodly. A book about the Christian’s endurance (Is it worth it? ) Ø John is writing from the Isle of Patmos, on “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1: 9 -10)
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Ø To the 7 churches of Asia (Revelation 1: 11)
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Ø John hears a voice that calls for him to write to these 7 churches Ø He turns and sees the voice and a vision.
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 7 Golden lampstands (1: 12) Identified as the 7 churches (1: 20) Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com , used with permission
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 One like the Son of Man (1: 13) How Jesus identified Himself Matthew 9: 6, 16: 13; John 1: 51, 5: 27 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Clothed with a garment down to His feet (1: 13) Possibly a priestly robe Hebrews 2: 17, 4: 14 -15 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Chest girded with a golden band (1: 13) Again, showing authority cf. Rev. 15: 6, Daniel 10: 5 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 His head and hair were white as wool, snow (1: 14) White – the color of purity! Rev. 7: 13 -14, 19: 11, 14 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Eyes like flames of fire (1: 14) All seeing and piercing Hebrews 4: 13 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace (1: 15) Strong and tested. Pure. Moving with power Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 His voice as the sound of many waters (1: 15) A powerful and universal voice – Hebrews 4: 12 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 In His right hand seven stars (1: 16) These are the “angels of the seven churches” – 1: 20 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword (1: 16) The word of God speaking – Hebrews 4: 12 Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 His countenance like the sun shining in strength (1: 16) Jesus our source of light Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
John’s Vision Ø Revelation 1: 9 -20 His message reveals Him (1: 17 -18) “I am the first and the last, He who lives” etc. ” Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com
Letters to the churches v The 7 churches to whom this letter was written go in a circuit. v In examining their environment, we find their surroundings have an impact (for good and/or bad) on their character as congregations. v THUS, we need to be careful in how we allow society to influence us
Letters to the churches v Why 7 churches? v More than 7 churches in Asia Courtesy of Biblestudy. org - Troas (Acts 20: 5) - Hierapolis (Colossians 4: 3) - Colossae (Colossians 1: 2)
Letters to the churches v Why 7 churches? v 7 in Revelation often is symbolic of completeness or perfection v It could be that these represent “the Lord’s Church as a whole” (Harkrider) v Thus, every congregation could be described in one or more of these situations
Letters to the churches v Each congregation was independent v An individual message to each one v Each congregation had strengths/weaknesses and was addressed based upon these v Local congregations have their own character. We must respect autonomy (cf. Acts 20: 28)
Letters to the churches v Each congregation answered directly to Christ v He was in the midst of them v Each letter begins with a description of Him (e. g. Revelation 2: 1) v It is His church – Acts 20: 28, Romans 16: 16, Ephesians 1: 22 -23, 5: 25 -27
Letters to the churches v Each congregation answered directly to Christ v “I know your works” Revelation 2: 2, 9, 13, 19, 3: 1, 8, 15 – He examines those who wear His name and makes judgment accordingly. v OUR first concern should be whether or not we are pleasing to Him
Letters to the churches v BUT, we will be judged individually v Romans 14: 12, 2 Corinthians 5: 10, Hebrews 9: 27, Revelation 20: 12 -13, etc.
Letters to the churches v BUT, we will be judged individually v Even in these letters we find appeal to individuals – 2: 24 “now to you I say, and to the rest…” 3: 4 “you have a few names even in Sardis…” 3: 19 “as many as I love I rebuke…” v “To him who overcomes” (2: 7, 11, 17, 26, 3: 5, 12, 21)
Letters to the churches v Each congregation represented by a candlestick v Light – Jesus IS the light – Revelation 1: 16 John 8: 12, 9: 5 “I am the light of the world” v We SUPPORT that light – 1 Corinthians 2: 2, 15: 1 -4 1 Timothy 3: 15 v Revelation 2: 5 - Ephesus
Letters to the churches v “He who has an ear, let him hear” v Light – Jesus IS the light – Revelation 2: 7, 11, 17, 29, 3: 6, 13, 22, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” v ONE standard for every congregation – 1 Corinthians 4: 17, 2 Peter 3: 15 -16, Colossians 4: 16
Letters to the churches v “Repent v 5 congregations had errors – Revelation 2: 5, 16, 21 -22, 3: 3, 3: 18 -19 – All were called upon to repent! v IF we, as the Lord’s church, are not what we ought to be, we ought to repent (cf. 2 Corinthians 7: 10 -11)
What would the Lord say to us?