Revelation 1-3
{TO THE CHURCHES}
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{SEVEN ASSEMBLIES}
- The Prologue to the Book - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:1-3 - The first paragraph of and the introduction to the key themes and characters of the book)
- Call to Action - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution)
- Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (The salutations from the throne highlight key themes of the book, especially the victory and present reign of Jesus)
- Ruler of Kings - (The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the kings of the earth, including his enemies) - {PDF Copy}
- Kingdom of Priests - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light in the world) - {PDF Copy}
- Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Exiled on Patmos, John is a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance)
- First Vision - Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The first vision presents the image of Jesus as one like a Son of Man who walks among the churches of Asia – Revelation 1:9-20)
{SEVEN LETTERS}
- Seven Churches - Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches of Asia prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
- Tree of Life - Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles, chastised for leaving his first love, and summoned to return to his first works)
- Faithful Until Death - Smyrna - {PDF Copy} - (After persevering through persecution, the ever-faithful church at Smyrna was promised even more “tribulation” but also great rewards)
- The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (Deceivers within the seven congregations are encouraging disciples of Jesus to compromise with the idolatrous rites of pagan society)
- Hold Fast My Name - Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Pergamos receives praise for remaining faithful to his name, but correction for tolerating the teachings of Balaam – Revelation 2:12-17)
- Martyrs and Overcomers - {PDF Copy} - (In the book of Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in the testimony of Jesus whatever the cost, even unto death)
- The Inhabitants of the Earth - (The “inhabitants of the earth” represent men that are excluded from the “book of life” for submitting to the Beast) - {PDF Copy}
- Thyatira - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:18-29 - The false prophetess, Jezebel, deceived many saints at Thyatira into accommodating idolatrous practices)
- Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:1-6 - The church in the city of Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings and a summons to repent)
- Pillar in the Temple - Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial)
- Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (The hour of trial will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10)
- Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections, and warnings. Its hope lies in becoming “gold refined by fire”)
- Beginning of the Creation - (Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}
- People of the Last Days - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan) - {PDF Copy}
{RELATED SUBJECTS}
- Exaltation of the Lamb - (In Revelation, the exaltation and sovereignty of Jesus are based on his past Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}
- Tribulation of the Church - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, faithful saints undergo tribulation, but the unrepentant inhabitants of the earth receive wrath, the Second Death)
- The Season is Here - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, the period known as the last days began following the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth)
- THAT Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man)
