Transcript Slide 1

The Letters to the Seven Churches
The Letters to the Seven Churches
There is a definite structure to each of the letters:
1. Each letter begins with a charge to write the letter
1. Each letter contains a connection with the description of Christ in 1:13-18
1. There is an acknowledgement of the church’s achievements
1. There are words of encouragement, censure, or counsel or all three
1. Each letter ends with a promise and exhortation
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
The charge to write
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
The connection to the description of Christ in Rev. 1:13-18
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
Acknowledgements of church’s achievements
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
Words of encouragement, counsel and/or censure
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Let’s look at the first letter:
Revelation 2:1-7 - "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are
the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks
among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work
and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found
them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my
name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have
forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!
Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to
you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who
has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who
overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the
paradise of God.
Promise and exhortation to those who overcome and are victorious
The Letters to the Seven Churches
A lot of ink has been spilled trying to explain the seven letters.
Why seven letters?
There were more churches in Asia other than just these seven (Colossae,
Heirapolis, Troas, etc.)
As we saw above, the seven churches do form a circular postal route.
The number seven is one of perfection and completion. Seven letters to
seven churches would represent all Christians.
Note that each letter ends “He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
(The plural is important).
The Letters to the Seven Churches
A lot of ink has been spilled trying to explain the seven letters.
This plural tells us that all seven letters were included in each of the
communications sent to every church.
Some have suggested that the seven letters trace the history of the church
from the first century (Ephesus) all the way through history until the very
end of days (Laodicea).
The Letters to the Seven Churches
More spilled ink
Some have suggested that the seven letters trace the history of the church
from the first century (Ephesus) all the way through history until the very
end of days (Laodicea).
Typically this is the view of those who see Revelation from a historicist point
of view.
The Letters to the Seven Churches
More spilled ink
Some have suggested that the seven letters trace the history of the church
from the first century (Ephesus) all the way through history until the very end of
days (Laodicea).
Ephesus – Apostolic age to about 100AD
Symrna – the church under persecution 100-313AD
Pergamum – a church compromised with carnality and false doctrine (313-600)
Thyatira – the Papal church (600-1500)
Sardis - the Reformation age (1500-1700)
Philadelphia – the church today
Laodicea – the liberal church of modern times
The Letters to the Seven Churches
Others, have suggested that the letters form a pattern.
One literary device used by ancient writers to emphasize a point is called
CHAISM. It is a structure where the point to be made is put in the middle
like this:
A
B
C
B’
A’
Where A and A’ have some connection to each other as do B and B’.
“C” is where the author makes his/her point
The Letters to the Seven Churches
With a little bit of ingenuity, we can construct a chiasm using the letters from
chapters two and three:
A
B
C
C
C
B’
A’
Ephesus
Symrna
Pergamum
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
in danger of being discarded (v. 5)
faithful and loyal even in weakness
mixture of compromising with pagan culture and loyalty
see verse 23
worst of the three “middle’ churches
faithful and loyal even in weakness
in danger of being discarded (v. 16)
This structure puts the worst two churches as first and last.
The Letters to the Seven Churches
With a little bit of ingenuity, we can construct a chiasm using the letters from
chapters two and three:
A
B
C
C
C
B’
A’
Ephesus
Symrna
Pergamum
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
in danger of being discarded (v. 5)
faithful and loyal even in weakness
mixture of compromising with pagan culture and loyalty
see verse 23
worst of the three “middle’ churches
faithful and loyal even in weakness
in danger of being discarded (v. 16)
The churches with problems form the “core.”
Overall the church is in fairly bad shape (only 2/7 are good).
Revelation 2:23b - Then all the churches will know that I am he who
searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your
deeds.
Chapters Four and Five
The Throne Scene in Heaven
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:1 - After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like
a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this.“
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:1 - After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like
a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this.“
In Greek Meta. tau/ta
Literally, “after this” – it’s the great time
connective in New Testament literature.
What follows takes place sometime after
what precedes. It could be a little while
or a long time. Indefinite length of
time.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:1 - After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like
a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this.“
The Greek verb tense depicts an open door that remains open for others to
enter.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:2 - at once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in
heaven with someone sitting on it.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:2 - at once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in
heaven with someone sitting on it.
Once more John is having a visionary experience. It is during this vision that he
“experiences” the throne scene.
The action at this point takes place in heaven. As we move forward we will see the
focus move back and forth between heaven and earth.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:3 - And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and
carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
In keeping with Jewish literature, God is never directly described. God is described
using symbols and metaphors. Finite human language is incapable of expressing
the majesty and glory of God. Even our symbols fall short.
The question is, should we mine the text to attempt to extract meaning out of each
and every detail, or is John simply
heaping metaphor on top of metaphor
to build a picture of the transcendence
of God?
Probably the latter.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:3 - And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and
carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
Jasper is a semi-translucent stone
Carnelian is a reddish stone that appears to have “fire” smoldering inside of it.
What a poetic portrayal of God!
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:3 - And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and
carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
The rainbow reminds us of the covenant God made with Noah (Genesis 9)
The emerald is a green colored stone and green is a soothing color. Perhaps this is
indicative of God’s mercy.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:4 - Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and
seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had
crowns of gold on their heads.
Not all of John’s images are easily understood. For example who are the 24 elders?
Some suggest the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles making the connection
between the OT and the NT church and the two covenants of God’s people.
Others suggest it refers to the 24 orders of
priesthood in 1 Chronicles 24:4-18.
Still others hold that it represents the 24
orders of musicians in 1 Chronicles 25.
A very small contingent claim they are
individual Christians who have sealed their
faith through martyrdom.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:4 - Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and
seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had
crowns of gold on their heads.
Not all of John’s images are as easily understood. For example who are the 24
elders?
A council of elders is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. However, there is
mention of a heavenly court or council (e.g. Job 1:6; 2:1; Ps 89:7; Dan. 7:9-10).
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:4 - Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and
seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had
crowns of gold on their heads.
Not all of John’s images are as easily understood. For example who are the 24
elders?
Regardless of their identity, the 24 elders are important because of their function:
- They wear white robes (purity) and have
gold crowns (authority)
- They prostrate themselves before God
and offer up their crowns.
- They take part in the heavenly worship
liturgy.
- They sing hymns to God.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:4 - Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated
on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold
on their heads.
Not all of John’s images are as easily understood. For example who are the 24
elders?
Regardless of their identity, the 24 elders are important because of their function:
- They hold harps and golden bowls
containing the prayers of God’s people.
- Several of them will speak directly to John
- They may have a judicial function (20:4)
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:5 - From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and
peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are
the seven spirits of God.
The heavenly thunderstorm introduces the awesome power and majesty of
God. Lightening and thunder are always in a temple setting (8:5; 11:19;
16:17-18) and typically announce a important event.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:6a - Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea
of glass, clear as crystal.
A sea is a very large body of water. Perhaps John is implying the
magnitude of the distance that remains between the majesty and glory of
God and a mere mortal.
Here John may be alluding to the passage in Exodus where the elders of
Israel went up on the mountain and
witnessed first-hand the glory of
God.
Exodus 24:10 - and saw the God of
Israel. Under his feet was something
like a pavement made of sapphire,
clear as the sky itself.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:6b-8a - In the center, around the throne, were four living
creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first
living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a
face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living
creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under
his wings.
Once again, a very difficult image to interpret. Most likely, John patterned
the four living creatures after those in Ezekiel 1:4-21 and Isaiah 6:2-3.
Eze 1:10 - Their faces looked like
this: Each of the four had the face
of a man, and on the right side
each had the face of a lion, and
on the left the face of an ox; each
also had the face of an eagle.
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:6b-8a - In the center, around the throne, were four living
creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first
living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a
face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living
creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under
his wings.
Once again, a very difficult image to interpret. Most likely, John patterned
the four living creatures after those in Ezekiel 1:4-21 and Isaiah 6:2-3.
Isaiah 6:2-3 - Above him were
seraphs, each with six wings: With
two wings they covered their
faces, with two they covered their
feet, and with two they were
flying. And they were calling to
one another: "Holy, holy, holy is
the LORD Almighty; the whole
earth is full of his glory."
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:9-11 - Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and
thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the
twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship
him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne
and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Chapter Four
Revelation 4:9-11 - Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and
thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the
twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship
him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne
and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created
and have their being.“
Crowns were a symbol of authority. Laying
their crowns before God, the elders are
acknowledging that their authority comes
only from God. Whatever honor is
afforded them is given over to God.
Chapter Five
Chapters four and five form the fulcrum of the letter. In chapter four John
develops this very transcendent picture of God. However, without chapter
five there is no connection between God’s throne image and creation.
Without chapter five, chapter four is not good news.