God sees you and knows your tears glory to god 417 watching live now. Jun 26, 2016 a look at the meaning of each city name of the 7 cities in revelation. John recorded letters to the seven churches in asia, as part of revelation, the last book of the bible. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. Today, we begin an eight 8 part series on the book of revelation. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities. Bible verses of all the sevens of the book of revelation have you ever wondered just how many sevens are in book of revelation. The book of revelation, sometimes called the apocalypse, is one of the most important books in the world. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Revelation was first written for christians living in seven cities in asia minor, in what today is the country of turkey.
When you read revelation, it is hard not to notice all the sevens. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. What the bible says about seven churches of revelation. Ephesus was both the capital of the roman province of asia and one of the earliest centers of christianity. The seven successively span the churchs 2,000year history, culminating with the last three eras extant in the last hundred years. Why these seven churches commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived. Here is my map of the cities in the book of revelation. The author of the book of revelation has grouped many things into sevens. The significance of the number 7 in the book of revelation. John writes to the seven churches in asia revelation 1.
Host david nunn takes us to turkey for a firsthand visit of the seven cities to which the messages of the risen christ were addressed in revelation chapters 23. This will be necessary for god to deal with a sinful and rebellious world. I suppose the question means, specifically mentioned or in one of the symbols its really there, not when the whole world is talked about is the united states included. The book of revelation is a crucial reminder that peace and justice belong. There is a picture in revelation 19 of the aftermath of battle and victory over the enemies of god.
Whatever happened to the seven churches of asia minor. They are released under a creative commons attributionnoncommercialsharealike 4. Interactive map of the seven churches in revelation. Nevertheless i have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Pergamum or pergamon, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia and laodicea. The seven churches of revelation the seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation were actual physical churches in the names of the locations john gives, so the letters that john writes to these churches. Jan 17, 2012 the author of the book of revelation has grouped many things into sevens. What does this final book of the bible meanand how will it affect you and your future. It is one of the most traumatic events in the history of the church just before the parousia. One like the son of man stood in the midst of seven golden lampstands with seven stars in his hand rev. These places provided a relatively safe haven for the early christians and were roman cities. After today which will include our introduction and revelation chapter 1 we will look at the seven 7 cities and seven 7 churches in revelation 23. If the book of revelation is inspired by god and i.
Judgment day sarah connor might not be clothed in the sun, but she does give birth to a son who saves the world. The seven bowls of the wrath of god the 7 bowls of gods wrath with light commentary. This website is a brief presentation concerning the local churches in the book of revelation based on the ministry of christian writers watchman nee and witness lee. All seven existed as church congregations in physical cities in the first century. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. The book of revelation is surely true, but not historical narrative, not meant to be taken literally. When reading the messages to the church, we must keep in mind that although each message was given to the seven churches as originally addressed, the churches also represent a church era in history. W hen you study the book of revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in revelation chapters 2 and 3.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Revelation contains four very visible, very prominent structures. The list of sevens in revelation agape bible study. Asia minor is now part of turkey and these lands are now overwhelmingly muslim. The apocalypse, or book of revelation, is addressed to the seven churches of asia minor. In the church in which i grew up and the bible college i attended.
The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. The opulence and the prominence of the city along with the mention of the seven hills on which it rests, its persecution of christians, and the use of euphemisms such as babylon are generally presented as evidence that rome is the wicked city. Revelation is a book about the latter days, and revelation 2 3 offers specific clues about either christian denominations or broad attitudes which will be co mmon in the latter day churches of christianity. Map of the 7 churches of revelation seven churches of asia. Click on any of the map markers and more information about that place will pop up.
While reference is always made to the seven churches of revelation by name, the actual churches referred to were places of worship, rather than actual church buildings. Is the united states talked about in the book of revelation. Chart 171 lists fourteen occurrences of the number seven in revelation. For example, thyatira, the 4th of 7 sevens, can mean the. For all of these reasons, i argue that the great city of the book of revelation, a city doomed to destruction, is jerusalem. Seven churches in revelation are literal churches from the first century ad. The city of pergamum was renowned for its pagan practices.
John in the book of revelation saw the mark while he was in the spirit. The seven churches of asia, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse, are ephesus, smyrna, pergamos a. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. These seven cities in the roman province of asia, in modernday western turkey, were the most important of western anatolia. Their significance is explained in graphic detail, and viewers will gain many insights from david s enthusiastic commentary along the way. This does not mean that it is not inspired, or not true.
Stotts book what christ thinks of the church an exposition of. Aug 01, 2016 those who are familiar with the book of revelation know that the number seven appears regularly in this book. Unlocking the secrets of revelation tomorrows world. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey as the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john was given a vision of endtime events leading up to the return of jesus christ. Yet god promised to reward his church and individual members if they would remain faithful to him. A look at the meaning of each city name of the 7 cities in revelation. What and where were the seven church addressed in the book of revelation. Some at least of these cities had christian communities before the end of the first century.
Because it reveals the future of humanity, and the future of planet earth. The seven churches of revelation may include at least three fulfillments. One example of the use of the number seven in the revelation given to john is the seven churches the text is addressed to. Izmir, turkey bp not long ago, i didnt know that the seven churches of revelation were all located in modernday turkey. By counting links in the table below, and ignoring repeated sevens of things in the same verse, the number obtained is seven times seven, or 49. Then a coworker and i made a threeday trip to the region, flying. Remember, therefore and repent, and do the first works. For various reasons, whether trade, military, or pure hedonism, these cities were major cultural hubs throughout history. According to hebrew tradition every number has a symbolic significance. Three, seven, ten, and twelve are known as the perfect numbers. The condition of each church and specific facts about each city are reflected in the content of each letter. Donev while bulgarian protestant churches and missions in northern america have been present since the early twentieth century, networking between them is a rather new phenomenon that has occurred. It is fascinating to see how the historical data matches up with what jesus said about each city.
Map shows the approximate locations of the cities with the seven churches that are mentioned in the bibles book of revelation. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. One like the son of man stood in the midst of seven golden lampstands with seven stars in. If we want to study the books literary forms, the place to begin is obvious.
Apr 05, 2018 the book of revelation begins with seven letters to seven churches in seven cities in the roman province of asia. Seven churches in revelation in turkey ephesus tours. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. But it contains symbols and secrets that challenge us. Joe takes us to turkey and the modern day cities which are home to the ruins of.
Mar 29, 2014 seven churches in revelation are literal churches from the first century ad. Revelation, of course, is written to the seven cities of asia modern turkeyephesus. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia. Seven churches in revelation then and now the seven churches in revelation are located in western asia minor presentday turkey, accessible by way of the aegean sea and the ancient trade routes between the west and east. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The list of sevens in revelation new testament charts list scripture study guide. The book next contains seven short letters of exhortation to the christian churches in the seven leading cities of asia minor ephesus 2. Viewers join his tour of the present day culture and life in these cities and tour the ruins of the ancient cities and discover the challenges before the churches as relates to the culture of the time.
The book of revelation s prophecies about the seven last plagues are terrifying and show there will be massive suffering and destruction around the world in the end times. Witness lee teaches about the local churches in revelation. Why these seven churches commentary a testimony of. The end times will see jesus ruling the nations in truth and righteousness as king of kings and lord of lords. It was unthinkable to allow even ones enemy to remain unburied. The book was penned by a christian named john, who had visions on the island of patmos near the end of the first century a. These maps were created by freebibleimages using accordance bible map software. What do the seven churches in revelation stand for. The following is an edited transcript of the audio. The seven churches described in revelation 23 are seven literal churches at the time that john the apostle was writing revelation. The book is also written to all believers everywhere.
There are 59 in total, and the whole book is structured around a few sets of seven. The genre itself is screaming this point to us if we will only hear it. We constantly need to emphasize the significance and severity of the neronic persecution. All of prophecy fits a pattern outlined by these city names.
How are they relevant to the universal message of the book. Exiled on the island of patmos as he saw visions and recorded them, he must have longed to be able to visit the churches in person to deliver his message. Sep 03, 2015 the apocalypse, or book of revelation, is addressed to the seven churches of asia minor. However, the seven churches in revelation also have spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The book of revelation begins with seven letters to seven churches in seven cities in the roman province of asia. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change. Today, it is generally believed that the harlot city referred to in the book of revelation is rome.
May 12, 20 addressed in the book of revelation, to see what happened to them after the neronic persecution. Jan 24, 2018 pastor alph lukau live 20 dec, 2019 new sermons. Indeed, the primary purpose for john writing his letters to the seven churches was to deliver christs report card for the churches of that time. The only problem that faces us is how to define where they begin and end. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. In revelation, the final, consummating book of the bible, the first vision seen by the apostle john is that of seven golden lampstands, symbolizing seven local churches. Seven is the second perfect number signifying fullness and perfection, especially spiritual perfection. In the book of tobit, for example, tobit actually risks his own life to ensure that a stranger is buried. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. May 20, 2009 is the united states talked about in the book of revelation. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. The messages to the seven churches of revelation 23 show us that the church was destined to face trials throughout the centuries before jesus christ would return.
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