1. The Book of Revelation Lesson 2 Among the Lampstands

2. Memory Text (NKJV) Memory Text Revelation 2:7a (NKJV) 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Who is speaking here and to whom is He speaking?Who is speaking here and to whom is He speaking? What do you think Jesus means when He says, “He who has an ear?”What do you think Jesus means when He says, “He who has an ear?” What do you make of the fact that the word “churches” is plural even though this is part of a message to a specific church, Ephesus?What do you make of the fact that the word “churches” is plural even though this is part of a message to a specific church, Ephesus?

3. Isle of Patmos Where is Patmos, and what do we know about it? [Link]Where is Patmos, and what do we know about it? [Link]Link What reason does John give for being on the Isle of Patmos? (Rev 1:9)What reason does John give for being on the Isle of Patmos? (Rev 1:9)Rev 1:9Rev 1:9 Where else in the book of Revelation do we find words similar to “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus?” [Link]Where else in the book of Revelation do we find words similar to “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus?” [Link]Link When was it that John received his visions on Patmos? (Rev 1:10)When was it that John received his visions on Patmos? (Rev 1:10)Rev 1:10Rev 1:10

4. Vision of Christ Read John’s description of the vision He saw of Jesus Christ. How should we understand the symbolism used here? (Rev 1:12-16)Read John’s description of the vision He saw of Jesus Christ. How should we understand the symbolism used here? (Rev 1:12-16)Rev 1:12-16Rev 1:12-16 What is symbolized by the seven golden lampstands and the seven stars held in the right hand of Jesus? (Rev 1:20)What is symbolized by the seven golden lampstands and the seven stars held in the right hand of Jesus? (Rev 1:20)Rev 1:20Rev 1:20 What do you think Jesus is saying to the seven churches and their leaders through this vision?What do you think Jesus is saying to the seven churches and their leaders through this vision? How does John’s description compare to Daniel’s description of the divine being He saw by the Tigris River? (Dan 10:5-6)How does John’s description compare to Daniel’s description of the divine being He saw by the Tigris River? (Dan 10:5-6)Dan 10:5-6Dan 10:5-6

5. Fear Not What words does Jesus, in vision, speak to John and the churches and to us? (Rev 1:17-19)What words does Jesus, in vision, speak to John and the churches and to us? (Rev 1:17-19)Rev 1:17-19Rev 1:17-19 Where do we see this description of Jesus repeated to the seven churches?Where do we see this description of Jesus repeated to the seven churches?

6. Overview of the 7 Letters From whom do these letters come?From whom do these letters come? Read our memory text again: Rev 2:7Read our memory text again: Rev 2:7 Rev 2:7 Rev 2:7 How should we understand the messages of these letters since Jesus calls us to hear what the Spirit says to the churches?How should we understand the messages of these letters since Jesus calls us to hear what the Spirit says to the churches?

7. Summary of the 7 Letters – Part 1

8. Summary of the 7 Letters – Part 2

9. Summary John the apostle wrote the book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos where he was exiled because of “the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus.”John the apostle wrote the book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos where he was exiled because of “the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus.” The repeated use of this phrase or similar terms, applied to John at the beginning of the church age, to Christian martyrs during the church age, and to the remnant at the end of the church age, indicates that this is the identifying mark that separates the faithful from the faithless and brings about persecution.The repeated use of this phrase or similar terms, applied to John at the beginning of the church age, to Christian martyrs during the church age, and to the remnant at the end of the church age, indicates that this is the identifying mark that separates the faithful from the faithless and brings about persecution. The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus may be an allusion to Isa 8:20 (To the law and the testimony…) with the Word of God (the Law) representing the OT witness and the Testimony representing the NT.The Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus may be an allusion to Isa 8:20 (To the law and the testimony…) with the Word of God (the Law) representing the OT witness and the Testimony representing the NT.

10. Summary Those who are faithful will have, hold, possess, preserve, follow, and obey the inspired scriptures: OT and NT.Those who are faithful will have, hold, possess, preserve, follow, and obey the inspired scriptures: OT and NT. The Lord’s day on which John received his vision of Christ, based on Scripture, must be the Sabbath.The Lord’s day on which John received his vision of Christ, based on Scripture, must be the Sabbath. John’s vision of Christ recorded in Chapter 1 is largely symbolic. It sees Jesus caring for His church and holding up its leaders.John’s vision of Christ recorded in Chapter 1 is largely symbolic. It sees Jesus caring for His church and holding up its leaders. John’s vision of Christ shares many similarities with Daniels vision of Christ and his vision of the heavenly judgment with the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days.John’s vision of Christ shares many similarities with Daniels vision of Christ and his vision of the heavenly judgment with the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days. Christ’s message to John and the churches is to “Fear not.” He alone has the keys to death and the grave, so we need not fear even death itself if we trust in Him.Christ’s message to John and the churches is to “Fear not.” He alone has the keys to death and the grave, so we need not fear even death itself if we trust in Him.

11. Summary The Lord’s messages to the seven churches indicate that He meets them where they are and wants to move them to where He can bless them more fully.The Lord’s messages to the seven churches indicate that He meets them where they are and wants to move them to where He can bless them more fully. These messages apply to the specific churches to which they were written, to different periods in the church age that exhibited a similar characteristic, and, most importantly, to individual Christians in any church and any age that the Holy Spirit convicts of the need to repent and follow the council of Jesus.These messages apply to the specific churches to which they were written, to different periods in the church age that exhibited a similar characteristic, and, most importantly, to individual Christians in any church and any age that the Holy Spirit convicts of the need to repent and follow the council of Jesus. Will you keep you ears and mind and heart open to the Holy Spirit to be able to hear what He says to the churches so you can overcome and claim the promises that Jesus makes to His church?Will you keep you ears and mind and heart open to the Holy Spirit to be able to hear what He says to the churches so you can overcome and claim the promises that Jesus makes to His church?

13. The Isle of Patmos

14. [R][R]

15. Revelation 1:9 (NIV) 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [R] 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [R]R

16. Revelation 1:9; 6:9; 12:17 (NIV) 9 I, John, … was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 9 I, John, … was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw … those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw … those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 17 So the dragon …went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. [R] 17 So the dragon …went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. [R]R

17. Revelation 1:10 (NKJV) 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, [R] 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, [R]R

18. Revelation 1:12-16 (NIV) 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. [R] 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. [R]R

19. Revelation 1:20 (NKJV) 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. [R] 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. [R]R

20. Daniel 10 vs. Revelation 1 Daniel 10:5-12Daniel 10:5-12 –A certain man –Clothed in linen –Girded with belt of gold –Eyes like torches of fire –Feet like polished bronze –Voice like roaring multitude –No strength; face to ground –Hand touches Daniel –“Fear not!” Revelation 1:12-18Revelation 1:12-18 –One like son of man –Clothed in robe to feet –Girded with belt of gold –Eyes like flame of fire –Feet like burnished bronze –Voice like many waters –Falls at his feet as dead –Hand laid on John –“Fear not!” [R][R]

21. Revelation 1:17-19 (NIV) 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. [R] 19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. [R]R

22. Revelation 2:7 (NKJV) 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. [R] 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. [R]R