2. When time forced us to halt last week, John was on the Isle of Patmos worshipping Christ on the Lord´s Day when the Risen Christ spoke to him. Christ told John to write what he would see and send it to the seven churches in Asia.

5. Then John turned to look upon the One Who was speaking to him, and in words given John by the Holy Spirit, John described the Resurrected Lord Jesus, now in Heaven, in all of His glory. We continue this passage in verse 17.

7. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.

8. John is rightly overwhelmed in reverential awe in the presence of the Risen Christ, especially as He is preparing to judge the world; but the Lord tells John that he does not need to be afraid of Him. Interestingly, if we search the clause “do not be afraid,” we discover that the first time God spoke these words it was to Abram, saying “Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

12. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 1 Pet. 3:18-20 explains that the Spirit of Christ went to the Abode of the Dead (Sheol in the OT, Hades in the NT) to pronounce His victory over sin and death and to lead OT believers from there to heaven (Mt. 27:50-53).

14. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. – Here is an outline of the Revelation: – The things which you have seen – Chapter 1 – The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3 – The things which will take place after this – Chapters 4 - 22

15. 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. – Jesus is in the midst of the seven churches, and He holds the angels (which means messengers) in His hands. These messengers may be angels or may be a reference to the pastors of the churches.

18. We have now completed the first segment of the Revelation - The things which you have seen – Chapter 1 We are about to begin the second segment - The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3

19. The first thing we ought to do is to read this entire segment. This will give us the context. It is only two chapters. If you have not already done this recently, do so this week, before our next session. It will greatly benefit your understanding.

22. We have already noted that the seven churches to whom the letters were sent were actual local churches in cities of the Roman Province of Asia during John´s day. This area is the western portion of modern day Turkey. The ruins of these cities and of some of these churches can still be found today. When we read all seven letters consecutively, we quickly discover that they each follow a similar structure.

25. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

26. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

27. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

28. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

29. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

30. A description of Jesus particularly relevant to that church A commendation for the things that are right with the church A complaint about the things wrong with the church A threatened judgment if the church does not right the wrong A promise of hope

31. This pattern is followed strictly except that Christ has no complaint or threat against Smyrna and Philadelphia and no commendation for Laodicea.

35. As you can see, we are going to have a good time using our interpretation tools to come to an understanding of these messages Christ sent to the seven churches. We will have to examine who were the Nicolaitans and Jezebel? What is the doctrine of Balaam? What do these things mean: the tree of life, the crown of life, the second death, hidden manna, white stone, new name, Book of Life, key of David, and an open door? With the aid of our tools of interpretation, we will be able to discern the meaning of these messages directly from Christ.

37. Each portion of Scripture has only one meaning. It means what the Holy Spirit was saying when He gave the message to the human author. A verse or passage of Scripture cannot mean one thing to me and a different thing to you, and both of us be correct. Each portion of Scripture has only one meaning.

41. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to the historic local churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

42. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to the historic local churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.

43. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to churches across the span of history. At any point in the history of the church, local churches could be identified that had the characteristics of one or more of the seven churches of Asia.

44. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to churches across the span of history. At any point in the history of the church, local churches could be identified that had the characteristics of one or more of the seven churches of Asia.

45. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to the churches of today. Probably, if any of us knew all or even many of the Christian churches around the globe, we would probably be able to identify certain churches like the church at Ephesus, or at Smyrna, or so on.

46. Students of these letters to the church have long identified three applications of these messages of the Lord to the churches. The application to the churches of today. Probably, if any of us knew all or even many of the Christian churches around the globe, we would probably be able to identify certain churches like the church at Ephesus, or at Smyrna, or so on.

47. As we study the meaning of each message, the application to the historic church will be clear. As we discern the meanings, the Holy Spirit will also help us understand the applications to our own day, time, church, and lives as well.

48. The application of the message to the churches across the span of history is of special interest. Many students of church history have noted that while examples of each or most of the seven churches could be found in any age of church history, there seems to be a predominance of churches in each age that are very similar to one particular church among the seven.

50. They also have noticed that this predominance has moved in order of the listing of the seven churches. Here is a summary of what many say is true historically. (I am among the students who believe this to be true.)

52. End of the Apostolic Era (70-100 A.D.)

53. The Age of Persecution (100-300)

54. The marriage of church and state. Christianity by edict. Nicolaitans take hold. Doctrine of Balaam, mixing with worldliness.

55. Good works, false doctrine. Idols built around Jezebel. Followers destined for tribulation. Some within still saved.

56. Age following the Reformation (1500-1700)

57. Missionary Church (1700-1900)

58. The Apathetic Church (1900 - )

59. We live in the day when the common church to be found is like the church of Laodicea. The challenge of the Spirit of God to us individually and as a church is to be a church like Philadelphia. Next week, we begin our study of the messages to the seven churches.