The Seven Churches of Revelation We’re going on a journey of DiscoveryDiscovery ExplorationExplorationExegesis: - what it meant when it was written Hermeneutics: - what it means now Context and Culture Application “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” - 1Timothy 3:16-17 (NIVUK)

The Seven Churches of Revelation Location Modern day TurkeyModern day TurkeyRevelation Written by John – last surviving discipleWritten by John – last surviving disciple One Jesus loved who Jesus entrusted to care for MaryOne Jesus loved who Jesus entrusted to care for Mary Prophetic book – picture language; visionaryProphetic book – picture language; visionary John exiled to PatmosJohn exiled to Patmos Eventually released he moved to live in EphesusEventually released he moved to live in Ephesus

The Seven Churches of Revelation Addressed to The angel of the church at…The angel of the church at… MessengersMessengersAuthor Jesus!Jesus! John is the scribeJohn is the scribe 7 stars | 7 lampstands7 stars | 7 lampstands “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” “I know…”

The Seven Churches of Revelation Structure – 7 “A’s” Address – greetingAddress – greeting Attribute – a pictorial title of JesusAttribute – a pictorial title of Jesus Approval – commendationApproval – commendation Accusation – criticismsAccusation – criticisms Advice – helpful guidanceAdvice – helpful guidance Assurance – promiseAssurance – promise Appeal – to move forwardAppeal – to move forward

The Churches of Revelation

Ephesus Major commercial and cultural hubMajor commercial and cultural hub Visited by Paul twiceVisited by Paul twice Wrote epistles thereWrote epistles there Sent Timothy to oversee the churchSent Timothy to oversee the church Now abandoned and desertedNow abandoned and deserted

Revelation 2:1-7 (NIVUK) To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:1-7 (NIVUK) Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favour: you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Key Messages Jesus holds us and walks with usJesus holds us and walks with us He’ll never leave usHe’ll never leave us Jesus knows us and what’s happeningJesus knows us and what’s happening Hard work | perseverance | hardshipHard work | perseverance | hardship Test false teaching | teachersTest false teaching | teachers Don’t let others “lord it over you”Don’t let others “lord it over you” Wrong beliefs lead to wrong behavioursWrong beliefs lead to wrong behaviours We can’t mix and match our faithWe can’t mix and match our faith “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” – Romans 12:9 (NIVUK)

Key Messages Problem – lost their first loveProblem – lost their first love Not mislaid but abandonedNot mislaid but abandoned Which love?Which love? So serious Jesus will close a church downSo serious Jesus will close a church down We’re called to a deeper relationship with Jesus – one of intimacy and obedienceWe’re called to a deeper relationship with Jesus – one of intimacy and obedience 3 “R’s”3 “R’s” ReconsiderReconsider RepentRepent RestartRestart RewardReward “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” – Revelation 2:5 (NIVUK)