Revelation Preston Clegg Recovering Reclaiming the Book of Revelation for the Church 6

SESSION 6 Rev. 2-3 (the 7 churches) and Background to Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 are the most familiar texts in the Book of Revelation. Most people have heard about the 7 churches. is a r

SESSION 6 Rev. 2-3 (the 7 churches) and Background to Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 are the most familiar texts in the Book of Revelation. Most people have heard about the 7 churches. is a r

Each of the 7 churches were located in Asia Minor O f es us Christ. This is probably a circular letter.

Each of the 7 churches were located in Asia Minor O f es us Christ. This is probably a circular letter.

There is a clear and discernable pattern in addressing these 7 churches. is a revelation of Jesus Christ. Notice the descriptors of Jesus here: 1) Faithful Witness. 2) Firstborn of the dead. 3) Ruler of the kings of the earth. Name of churchTitle of ChristCommendation of the churchRebuke to the churchAdvice/Warning to the churchPromise to the church Ephesus -The one who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven candlesticks -They have toiled and persevered. -They cannot tolerate wicked men, and they test all who claim to be apostles. -They have left their first love. -Remember from where you have fallen. -Do what you did at first. -Repent. -The one who overcomes will eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God. Smyrna -The first and the last. -The one who was dead and has come to life. -Christ knows their tribulation and poverty. -They are also enduring persecution from the synagogue of Satan. -Do not fear what you are about to suffer. -Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. -He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. Pergamum -The one who has a sharp, two-edged sword. -They hold fast to Jesus’ name even though they dwell where Satan’s throne is. -Antipas was martyred for his faith. -Some hold to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. -Repent, for I am coming against them with the sword of my mouth. -To him who overcomes, I will give: 1) Some hidden manna 2) A white stone with a new name written on it. Thyatira -The Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze. -He commends their love, faith, service, and perseverance which are greater now than at the beginning. To those who have not been led astray, Jesus places no further burden. -They are tolerating Jezebel, a prophetess who is leading the people astray. -I will throw her on a bed of sickness and all who commit adultery with her into the tribulation. -Hold fast until I come. -To him who overcomes, I will give him authority over the nations. -I will also give the morning star. Sardis -He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. -I know you have a living name, but you are dead. -Wake up, strengthen the things that remain, remember what you have received, and repent. If you do not repent, I will come to you like a thief in the night. -Those who have not soiled their garments will walk with me in white. -He who overcomes will be clothed in white, have his name in the book of life, and I will confess him before the father. Philadelphia -He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens what no one can shut, and shuts what no one can open. -They have kept his word and have not denied his name, even though they have little power. -Hold fast to what you have so that no one will take your crown, for I am coming quickly. -Those who are of the synagogue of Satan will come and bow at your feet. -He who overcomes will be a pillar in the temple of my God, and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of God’s city. Laodicea-The Amen, the true and faithful witness, the beginning of the creation of God. -You are neither hot nor cold. -Because you think you need nothing, you are poor and miserable. -I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and eye salve so that you might see. -I stand at the door and knock, and I will enter if anyone will answer it. -To him who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne as I also overcame and sat with my Father on his throne.

What is the significance of the 7 churches? Dispensationalists believe these 7 churches are predictions of the future church..

What is the significance of the 7 churches? Dispensationalists believe these 7 churches are predictions of the future church..

This book is probably addressing more churches than these 7, but not less.

What do we learn from these 7 churches? 1) The author knew the context of each specific church. Sardis had been overtaken twice in the dark of night (Wake Up!). Laodicea was known for its springs of water. (Lukewarm.)

What do we learn from these 7 churches? 1) The author knew the context of each specific church. Sardis had been overtaken twice in the dark of night (Wake Up!). Laodicea was known for its springs of water. (Lukewarm.)

What do we learn from these 7 churches? 1) The author knew the context of each specific church. Sardis had been overtaken twice in the dark of night (Wake Up!). Laodicea was known for its springs of water. (Lukewarm.)

What do we learn from these 7 churches? 1) The author knew the context of each specific church. Sardis had been overtaken twice in the dark of night (Wake Up!). Laodicea was known for its springs of water. (Lukewarm.)

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. -References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. -References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. -The Balaamites -The Nicolaitans

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. -References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. -The Balaamites -The Nicolaitans

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. -References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. -The Balaamites -The Nicolaitans

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. -References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. -References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. -The Balaamites -The Nicolaitans

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. -References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. -References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. The Balaamites -The Nicolaitans

2) These letters are saturated with OT imagery. -References to OT characters such as Balaam, Jezebel, and David. -References to OT themes such as manna and the tree of life. 3) There was a great deal of false teaching. -The Balaamites The Nicolaitans

4) There was a great deal of persecution and/or oppression. Antipas had been killed in Pergamum. Poverty and possibility of imprisonment in Smyrna. Jewish opposition (“synagogue of Satan”) 5) Emphasis on overcoming

4) There was a great deal of persecution and/or oppression. Antipas had been killed in Pergamum. Poverty and possibility of imprisonment in Smyrna. Jewish opposition (“synagogue of Satan”) 5) Emphasis on overcoming

Background for Revelation Date and Setting End of Domitian’s Reign (95-96). Early church fathers such as Irenaeus attest to this. Seems that Jerusalem has been destroyed. (After 70 AD) 7 Kings of Revelation 17

Background for Revelation Date and Setting End of Domitian’s Reign (95-96). Early church fathers such as Irenaeus attest to this. Seems that Jerusalem has been destroyed. (After 70 AD) 7 Kings of Revelation 17

Background for Revelation Date and Setting End of Domitian’s Reign (95-96). Early church fathers such as Irenaeus attest to this. Seems that Jerusalem has been destroyed. (After 70 AD) 7 Kings of Revelation 17

Background for Revelation Date and Setting End of Domitian’s Reign (95-96). Early church fathers such as Irenaeus attest to this. Seems that Jerusalem has been destroyed. (After 70 AD) 7 Kings of Revelation 17

Background for Revelation Date and Setting End of Domitian’s Reign (95-96). Early church fathers such as Irenaeus attest to this. Seems that Jerusalem has been destroyed. (After 70 AD) 7 Kings of Revelation 17

From the 2 nd century, this book was included in the Johannine corpus. -There is evidence for and against Johannine authorship. -Audience is Christians living in Asia Minor.

Author and Audience- From the 2 nd century, this book was included in the Johannine corpus. -There is evidence for and against Johannine authorship. -Audience is Christians living in Asia Minor.

Author and Audience- From the 2 nd century, this book was included in the Johannine corpus. -There is evidence for and against Johannine authorship. -Audience is Christians living in Asia Minor.

Author and Audience- From the 2 nd century, this book was included in the Johannine corpus. There is evidence for and against Johannine authorship. -Audience is Christians living in Asia Minor.

Author and Audience- From the 2 nd century, this book was included in the Johannine corpus. -There is evidence for and against Johannine authorship. Audience is Christians living in Asia Minor.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

Adela Yarbro Collins- says these Christians had lived through “5 experiences of trauma.” 1) Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. 2) Nero’s persecution of Christians. 3) Expansion of Imperial Court under Domitian. 4) Death of Antipas. 5) Exile of John.

This is not empire wide, government sanctioned persecution. It is localized. Motive- John is comforting and exhorting these Christians (shares purpose of genre). He is functioning as both pastor and prophet. (Political resistance document.) Structure of the Book of Revelation- One more unique factor of this book.

This is not empire wide, government sanctioned persecution. It is localized. Motive- John is comforting and exhorting these Christians (shares purpose of genre). He is functioning as both pastor and prophet. (Political resistance document.) Structure of the Book of Revelation- One more unique factor of this book.

This is not empire wide, government sanctioned persecution. It is localized. Motive- John is comforting and exhorting these Christians (shares purpose of genre). He is functioning as both pastor and prophet. (Political resistance document.) Structure of the Book of Revelation- One more unique factor of this book.

This is not empire wide, government sanctioned persecution. It is localized. Motive- John is comforting and exhorting these Christians (shares purpose of genre). He is functioning as both pastor and prophet. (Political resistance document.) Structure of the Book of Revelation- One more unique factor of this book.

Why would the author want to structure the book this way? Imaginative, psychological catharsis. Magnifies their pain to a cosmic scale.

Why would the author want to structure the book this way? Imaginative, psychological catharsis. Magnifies their pain to a cosmic scale.

Why would the author want to structure the book this way? Imaginative, psychological catharsis. Magnifies their pain to a cosmic scale.