Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. For the purposes of this article, i share a summary of the seven churches in the book of revelation. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. And i will never blot out his name from the book of life, but i will confess his name before my father and his angels. The book next contains seven short letters of exhortation to the christian churches in. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a wonderful book in which we find the completion of gods ways up to eternal glory. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. 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. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Map of the 7 churches of revelation revelation was written as a. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The revelation that the lord gave to john was for those churches. Aug 15, 2018 second, when one examines the historical discussion concerning the book of revelation in the early church both east and west, these are not the terms of the debate. Letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor and each church b. It is hoped the student will gain a feeling for apocalyptic writings which are found in revelation.
The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. There are many great lessons that we can learn from the letters to the seven churches of revelation. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Category assignments are somewhat arbitrary in some cases. 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 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.
What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation. Summary in the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian. Many believe seven churches were chosen because in the bible, the number seven often represents completeness, and these letters and all of the book of revelation are written to the complete church, not only these seven churches. In the letters he applauds and chastises each church and he offers them advice on how to get back on track. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament.
Ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea were literal churches that existed in asia minor modern turkey during the first century a. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. 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. Revelation 2 begins a series of brief letters to seven churches that existed during the apostle johns time in asia minor modernday turkey. Furthermore, we should seek to determine its meaning for. Revelation was the last book accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some churches that derive from the church of the east reject it. The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. Sardis had, at one time, been considered to be impregnable because of its ideal physical arrangement and topography for defense. I can show that the first two were already happening in other churches, during pauls time, using scripture.
They are not letters, however, in any sense of the word. 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. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The principal divisions of the book of revelation are the following. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. About three years ago just after pastor james arrived. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1.
The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. And it is for the end period of history, which is yet to begin. Name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and. 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. The book of revelation begins with the end of the church age.
Recognize that, since the church stands on the words of the prophets, christians are to understand prophecy. Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator. If you want to better understand the book of revelation. The book of revelation explained volume 4 other publications by the author dan iel and rev at on texts exam ned depressi on did j esu d c nd i to h ll. And by this time in history, 95 ad, it has been only 62 years sense the death of christ, and already these churches are beginning to fall away from the truth. In the final analysis one gets the sense that we that is, the ancient reader. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. W hen you study the book of revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in revelation chapters 2 and 3.
May 31, 2017 if you put together all of the promises to the 7 churches of revelation, the sum total of all of the promises to the believers of those churches are very similar to what paul the apostle wrote in his church epistles, with one crucial difference. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation. To this day, orthodox commentaries on revelation amount to commentaries on st. Summary table for the seven churches r 03c characteristics of the churches help us identify the times they symbolize 0111. The whole book of revelation presents itself as one long letter, as we have seen. 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 importance of understanding, interpreting, applying, and then. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Over the course of those two centuries, however, st. Studying the book of revelation oak ridge church of christ.
Summary the seven churches of revelation bibliography i introduction this relatively brief study outline with questions and comments is designed to be an introduction to the book of revelation. The apostle paul explained that the new testament church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets eph. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. Named for their geographical locations, the churches were. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a revelation. Well study the context of the messages, what they meant for the original churches, and what they mean for us today what are the seven churches in revelation. Ladd sees the millennium and the whole book of revelation referring chiefly to the destiny of the church rather than to the theocratic promises to israel. The seven churches described in the book of revelation.
The 7 churches to who the letters were addressed were existing churches in asia minor modern turkey. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. Seeks to present different viewpoints and analyze problems of interpretation. The name of the book, revelation, is a translation of the title in the original new testament greek, apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the apocalypse. As with all prophecies the revelation also is not easily understood. For the 7 churches of revelation, all of the promises are stated in the future tense. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. The book of revelation, although never read in the orthodox church, bears witness to the divine reality which is the church s own very life. Jeske immanuel lutheran church saratoga, california let s study the book of revelations, the adult bible class suggested to the new pastor. However, its true meaning is an unveiling or revelation of things known only to god. Aug 02, 2001 what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. 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. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation.
A commentary on revelation, 22 revelation has important things to say for the perseverance and encouragement of christians and the church throughout the ages that are vital for the churchs life in this age. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most. This video was recorded in 2008 please excuse the video quality. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. Andrews commentary came to be embraced by the entirety of the orthodox church, and through it, the book of revelation itself. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow.
Understanding the book of revelation the church of jesus christ. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. While in patmos, john was seized by the holy spirit and received prophetic visions from christ instructing him to. May 10, 2016 name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and. 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. Hiebert a popular commentary on revelation that takes a premillennial and posttribulational view of eschatology. This interest grew even stronger when i began to teach the book of revelation in a bible school on java and wrote a commentary on revelation in the indonesian language. Even through all of this there is a clear structure. The study of the seven churches can be very large and in depth. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. The spiritual decline of the 7 churches chapters 2 and 3, also argues for the later date.
The 7 churches of revelation their struggles and strengths. 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. The seven seals, trumpets, and plagues, with interludes 6. Seiss writes, the churches of all time are comprehended in seven, and quotes many modern and ancient. 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. Map of seven churches click to enlarge commentary on the seven churches ephesus and smyrna the early church as i said, the seven churches sound like a progression of the church, as a whole, through the last 2000years. Though the letters are written to the seven churches in asia minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in todays church age. With further study you can match the descriptions of christ with those in chapter 1. There were local churches which accepted revelation as scripture, and those which rejected it utterly, and no offer of a compromise in between. Each of these messages includes information apropos to each church, and from these messages we can draw lessons applicable to our own lives today.
Others think they understand the prophecies of the bibleand this is probably most true of the book of revelation. Deadness in the church the city and the assembly 3. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey as the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john was given a vision of endtime events leading up to the return of jesus christ. G if ts, oce and t hepera on of t new testamen church. These seven churches are apostate and are destroyed. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of. From this church, those who overcome are granted to eat from the. We need to remember that jesus himself is giving these commendations and rebukes, so we need to listen and heed what he says to the churches, because they apply to us also. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation.
Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Basically there are three sections after the letters to the seven churches. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
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