1. Revelation 1

2. Title from book by Rev. Dr. John R.W. Stott. Bold? These chapters are most direct in all the Bible! These letters will call us to repentance and renewal, humble and shame us… Warn us of the wiles of the enemy… Urge us to endurance and perseverance. “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Are we a bit afraid of the book of Revelation? It IS ‘unveiling’ by Jesus for us!

3. Seven churches are all churches everywhere. These seven were in ‘circular pattern’ in Asia Very troubled times under ‘2 nd stage persecution’ under Domitian. ‘1 st stage’ under Nero sporadic and scattered. Would the church survive this severe threat? Another danger- sin & false teachings inside. Persecution, error, & sin= three ‘monsters’ This was war, conflict of Christ/antichrist… The same pressures are on the church today!

4. However we’re attacked, we must hold the truth, endure suffering, obey God, and resist evil. Letters are from Jesus, from first verse to last. See Jesus with us in anything and everything. We’re introduced to him by three of his titles: -see him as ‘faithful and true witness’ -see him as ‘firstborn from the dead’ -see him as ‘ruler of the kings of the earth’ Wow, John adds grand doxolgy: he loves us, freed us from our sins, made us his kingdom!

5. PTL! Give him glory and honor! Opening verses are preview to focus on Jesus Then John explains how this happened. Meditating ‘in the Spirit’, vision is symbolic. Told important things first, ‘lampstands’ are churches with Jesus walking among them. ‘stars’ are angels, messengers of Jesus words. Church and messengers are light bearers. Jesus knows us, cares for us, see him with us! Open ears and hearts to him!