1. The Seven Churches of Asia (1) Introduction

2. John’s Vision Revelation 1:9-20
Revelation is apocalyptic (meaning symbolic or hidden language)
A book about God’s judgment against the ungodly. A book about the Christian’s endurance (Is it worth it?)
John is writing from the Isle of Patmos, on “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:9-10)

3. John’s Vision Revelation 1:9-20
To the 7 churches of Asia -(Revelation 1:11)

4. John’s Vision Revelation 1:9-20
John hears a voice that calls for him to write to these 7 churches
He turns and sees the voice and a vision.

5. John’s Vision Revelation 1:9-20 7 Golden lampstands (1:12)
Identified as the 7 churches (1:20)
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com , used with permission

6. One like the Son of Man (1:13)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
One like the Son of Man (1:13)
How Jesus identified Himself Matthew 9:6, 16:13; John 1:51, 5:27
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

7. Clothed with a garment down to His feet (1:13)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
Clothed with a garment down to His feet (1:13)
Possibly a priestly robe Hebrews 2:17, 4:14-15
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

8. Chest girded with a golden band (1:13)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
Chest girded with a golden band (1:13)
Again, showing authority cf. Rev. 15:6, Daniel 10:5
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

9. His head and hair were white as wool, snow (1:14)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
His head and hair were white as wool, snow (1:14)
White – the color of purity! Rev. 7:13-14, 19:11, 14
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

10. Eyes like flames of fire (1:14)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
Eyes like flames of fire (1:14)
All seeing and piercing - Hebrews 4:13
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

11. Feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace (1:15)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
Feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace (1:15)
Strong and tested. Pure. Moving with power
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

12. His voice as the sound of many waters (1:15)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
His voice as the sound of many waters (1:15)
A powerful and universal voice – Hebrews 4:12
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

13. In His right hand seven stars (1:16)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
In His right hand seven stars (1:16)
These are the “angels of the seven churches” – 1:20
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

14. Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword (1:16)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword (1:16)
The word of God speaking – Hebrews 4:12
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

15. His countenance like the sun shining in strength (1:16)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
His countenance like the sun shining in strength (1:16)
Jesus our source of light
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

16. His message reveals Him (1:17-18)
John’s Vision
Revelation 1:9-20
His message reveals Him (1:17-18)
“I am the first and the last, He who lives” etc.”
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

17. Letters to the churches
The 7 churches to whom this letter was written go in a circuit.
In examining their environment, we find their surroundings have an impact (for good and/or bad) on their character as congregations.
THUS, we need to be careful in how we allow society to influence us

18. Letters to the churches
Why 7 churches?
More than 7 churches in Asia - Troas (Acts 20:5) - Hierapolis (Colossians 4:3) - Colossae (Colossians 1:2)
Courtesy of Biblestudy.org

19. Letters to the churches
Why 7 churches?
7 in Revelation often is symbolic of completeness or perfection
It could be that these represent “the Lord’s Church as a whole” (Harkrider)
Thus, every congregation could be described in one or more of these situations

20. Letters to the churches
Each congregation was independent
An individual message to each one
Each congregation had strengths/weaknesses and was addressed based upon these
Local congregations have their own character. We must respect autonomy (cf. Acts 20:28)

21. Letters to the churches
Each congregation answered directly to Christ
He was in the midst of them
Each letter begins with a description of Him (e.g. Revelation 2:1)
It is His church – Acts 20:28, Romans 16:16, Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27

22. Letters to the churches
Each congregation answered directly to Christ
“I know your works” Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15 – He examines those who wear His name and makes judgment accordingly.
OUR first concern should be whether or not we are pleasing to Him

23. Letters to the churches
BUT, we will be judged individually
Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:12-13, etc.

24. Letters to the churches
BUT, we will be judged individually
Even in these letters we find appeal to individuals – 2:24 “now to you I say, and to the rest…” 3:4 “you have a few names even in Sardis…” 3:19 “as many as I love I rebuke…”
“To him who overcomes” (2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21)

25. Letters to the churches
Each congregation represented by a candlestick
Light – Jesus IS the light – Revelation 1:16 John 8:12, 9:5 “I am the light of the world”
We SUPPORT that light – 1 Corinthians 2:2, 15:1-4 1 Timothy 3:15
Revelation 2:5 - Ephesus

26. Letters to the churches
“He who has an ear, let him hear”
Light – Jesus IS the light – Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
ONE standard for every congregation – 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Peter 3:15-16, Colossians 4:16

27. Letters to the churches
“Repent
5 congregations had errors – Revelation 2:5, 16, 21-22, 3:3, 3:18-19 – All were called upon to repent!
IF we, as the Lord’s church, are not what we ought to be, we ought to repent (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11)

28. What would the Lord say to us?