Seven Churches in Revelation

I have been reading and studying the letters to the seven churches. I came to it having been taught that the churches represented a chronology from the early church to the church in last days each of them representing a period of “church history” (yawn) as well as having personal application, as does all scripture.

I was interested to learn the seven church cities are all in Turkey (Asia Minor), because Turkey is now thought to play a prominent role in the events that have been prophesied in Daniel and in Revelation. Turkey is the goat in Daniels dream in Daniel chapter 8. - no conclusions from this, just interesting.

I have enjoyed the teachers Joel Richardson and Mark Davidson they share a theory Joel calls “consistent futurist” interpretation of Daniel’s dreams. I believe this is obviously correct because that’s what the scripture says “… pertains to the time of the end”. Daniel 8:19

I wanted to look at the letters with the same idea. Do they all pertain to the end? Is there a similar statement in the Revelation introduction? Not exactly but the entire book pertains to the time of the end so it is my belief that the letters to the churches all have end time significance rather than a church history lesson.

In reading each of the letters here are a couple observations:  They are unique but have overlapping challenges, some share the same problems and admonitions. Most importantly they are all exhorted to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

Even if the letters were given only to the churches in these specific cities in Turkey the exhortation “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” is given to everyone.

Letters brief synopsis:

1.    Ephesus - Remember to love God and to love one another. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

2.    Smyrna - Do not fear. Be faithful unto death. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

3.    Pergamum - Repent of moral compromise. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

4.    Thyatira - Hold fast in moral stance. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

5.    Sardis - Wake up! (stop going through the motions) Strengthen what remains. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

6.    Philadelphia - Hold fast. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

7.    Laodicea - Repent! Acquire what God is giving. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Conclusions:

The church is diseased. In its efforts to be friendly and inclusive it has tolerated the contagions of sexual immorality and idolatry (other gods).

To not die it must do the things Jesus says in the letters.

Those who overcome will be rewarded.

How to overcome - By hearing what the Spirit says.

Read the book.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

Wounds from a Friend

I decided to start this blog to record the things I am learning and have learned regarding Christ and the church and His soon coming. As I thought about when I began this journey in my Bible study I realized although I have studied this as long as I can remember, it really began over two years ago with a wound inflicted by a friend. This post is not about the wound or the friend but is an exhortation to seek and trust God in those times.

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

I have read this verse many times before but it has a clearer meaning when I look at it having walked through to the other side of this experience. I have come to understand that this does not mean that all wounding from a friend has validity but rather you can trust what God is doing in it.

This verse in Proverbs is not only a statement of wisdom but is related to other passages of scripture like Job and his friends in the book of Job and Jesus pruning those who bear fruit so they will bear more fruit in the gospel of John.

What God did for me was increased Bible study, me trying to discern the validity of the wound. That led me directly to studying the seven churches in Revelation which led me to teachers and passages and the study of the end times.

James 5:7-12

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer anticipates the precious fruit of the soil as he patiently awaits the fall and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.