Intoduction to the Revelation Message to the Seven Churches
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
The book of Revelation is an interesting one. We are promised a blessing just by reading it. So God must value the very fact that we study it as very important.
Revelation 1:3 says Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
The aged disciple John was on the isle of Patmos when the Lord came to him with the message that would describe the time of the future. In the next several studies I want to see what the message is that was given to each of the seven churches in Asia and see how it applies to our churches today and secondly see how it applies to us as individuals.
It was the Lord's Day ( which likely means a Sunday ) when the Lord came to John with the vision and we are told the names of the cities in which the seven churches are located.
Revelation 1: 10 and 11 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
When John turned to look behind him he saw seven golden candlesticks and One ( Jesus ) in the middle of the candlesticks. John then describes Jesus as he saw Him in the vision.
* - clothed with a garment down to the feet
* - girded about the chest with a golden band
* - his head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow ( He is the Ancient of days - Daniel 7: 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
* - his eyes like a flame of fire ( He can see our thoughts and feelings)
* - his feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace
* - his voice as the sound of many waters
* - he had in his right hand seven stars ( the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches)
* - out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword - ( the sword is the Word of God in the Bible, we will be judged according to the word of the Bible)
* - his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength ( He is the way, the truth and the life )
Jesus then speaks to John and tells John to not be afraid and reveals to John who He is in verses 17 and 18 - Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are the One true God - not three Gods but One - the Trinity. So Jesus is the first and the last and was dead and is alive for evermore,
Now John receives his job description in verse 19 where it says - Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Then in the final couple of verses of Revelation 1 we are told what the candlesticks and stars represent.
** the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches
** the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches
So in the next several studies we will take a look at each of the seven churches.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
The book of Revelation is an interesting one. We are promised a blessing just by reading it. So God must value the very fact that we study it as very important.
Revelation 1:3 says Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
The aged disciple John was on the isle of Patmos when the Lord came to him with the message that would describe the time of the future. In the next several studies I want to see what the message is that was given to each of the seven churches in Asia and see how it applies to our churches today and secondly see how it applies to us as individuals.
It was the Lord's Day ( which likely means a Sunday ) when the Lord came to John with the vision and we are told the names of the cities in which the seven churches are located.
Revelation 1: 10 and 11 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
When John turned to look behind him he saw seven golden candlesticks and One ( Jesus ) in the middle of the candlesticks. John then describes Jesus as he saw Him in the vision.
* - clothed with a garment down to the feet
* - girded about the chest with a golden band
* - his head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow ( He is the Ancient of days - Daniel 7: 9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
* - his eyes like a flame of fire ( He can see our thoughts and feelings)
* - his feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace
* - his voice as the sound of many waters
* - he had in his right hand seven stars ( the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches)
* - out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword - ( the sword is the Word of God in the Bible, we will be judged according to the word of the Bible)
* - his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength ( He is the way, the truth and the life )
Jesus then speaks to John and tells John to not be afraid and reveals to John who He is in verses 17 and 18 - Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are the One true God - not three Gods but One - the Trinity. So Jesus is the first and the last and was dead and is alive for evermore,
Now John receives his job description in verse 19 where it says - Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Then in the final couple of verses of Revelation 1 we are told what the candlesticks and stars represent.
** the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches
** the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches
So in the next several studies we will take a look at each of the seven churches.
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