Revelation 3:7-13; Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia was similar to the church in Smyrna as there was no glaring area of sin or spiritual compromise. Jesus commends Philadelphia for keeping His word and remaining faithful to His name, despite the reality they had “little strength”. Once again, a hostile Jewish presense was called […]

Revelation 3:1-6; Christ’s fifthe message to the churches in Asia was addressed to Sardis. Unlike the four previous churches, Jesus had no commendation for Sardis and instead noted, “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead”. The focus of this letter was corrective in nature, as they were told to “Wake up….Remember…Hold […]

Revelation 2:18-29; Christ’s fourth message to the churches in Asia. as dictated through the Apostle John, is to the church in Thyatira. Jesus first commends them for growing in love, faithfulness, service and perseverance, but then immediately addressed a profound internal issue. They had allowed a self-proclaimed false prophetess called “Jeszebel” to seduce them into […]

Revelation 2:8-11; Under the direction of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John continued to record messages to the Seven Churches in Asia. Similar to Ephesus, Smyrna was a costal port town with a long history with the Roman empire. Smyrna was given the honor of building a temple for emperor worship, which put Christianity between pagan […]

Revelation 2:1-7; Following the profound introduction to the book, John immediately employs his commission byJesus Christ to “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now what will take place later”. The church in Ephesus is the first “lampstand” to be addressed by their Savior and Lord, with a mixture of commendation and warning about […]

Revelation 19-20; John receives his first startling vision on the Lord’s Day on Patmos. He is jolted by a voice “like a trumpet” and turns around to see seven golden lampstands. In the midst of the lampstands is a figure that is almost beyond description, with seven stars in His right hand. The Glorified Christ […]

Revelation 1:1-8; John self-identifies as the author of these “words of prophesy” that were given by God through Jesus Christ. Those who engage the complex visions and messages will be blessed if they “take it to heart”. This prologue section is very Trinitarian, which clearly emphasizes the return of our Lord Jesus Christ as the […]

Revelation 1:1; John introduces the final book in the New Testament canon by first explaining it was given as a “revelation” or apokalyto from the Greek root. To some theological lines of thought, that means symbolism and allegory from the visions, but John repeated assures the ancient and modern reader that is is prophesy of […]