A Revelation: The 7 Churches

The Book of Revelation opens with a visitation of the risen Christ appearing before His last surviving apostle, John, son of Zebedee, who was exiled as a prisoner by Emperor Domitian to the island of Patmos. It was to John that Jesus appeared standing amid seven golden lampstands, and in his right hand were seven stars. Jesus instructed him, “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches” (Rev 1:19-20, NKJV). Jesus named specific churches that were to receive his message as written down by John. The message would be delivered to the people in those churches at that time, with a diagnosis of their current condition as communicated to the congregation by their church leader or elder (who is the angel, or, intended bearer sent to deliver this message from Jesus). This was the first revelation given at that time to those with ears to hear and repent. The stakes were high. The message was sent. But would they listen and heed the warning? 

The prophetic significance of the revelation has been demonstrably proven true throughout church history.  The characteristics of the seven churches named in the Revelation have foreshadowed the epochs of our church history following the death of the last apostle of Jesus. The spiritual message given to the original churches during the time of John the Apostle still holds true to the churches today. Let Us Pray that through this revelation of Jesus, we are not found to be lukewarm or apostate to the call of his Church to “love one another” as he has loved us (John 13:34-35). Let us not close our ears or cover our faces to the truth of our spiritual condition. Let us ask the Spirit to reignite our fervor and witness all to the glory of Jesus Christ, “the Alpha and the Omega,” the One “who is and who was and who is come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8, ESV).

Scriptures used in this module:

Hebrews 10:38-39 (NLT) 2 Peter 2:20-22 (NIV)

Exodus 32:8 (NIV) Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV)

Isaiah 17:10-11 (ESV) John 6:65-67 (NIV)

Acts 3:19 (NLT) Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) 1 Peter 3:14 (NLT)

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Romans 8:35-37 (NIV)

James 1:12 (ESV) Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)

Isaiah 30:15 (NLT) Matthew 21:32 (NLT)

Romans 2:3-4 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (ESV)

Acts 11:18 (ESV) Jeremiah 31:19 (NIV)

Revelation 3:3 (NIV) Deuteronomy 18:20 (ESV)

Jeremiah 14:40 (NIV) 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

Acts 20:28-30 (ESV) 1 John 4:1-6 (NLT)

Jeremiah 23:16 (ESV) Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

Colossians 2:13 (NLT) Luke 9:60 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:2-4 (ESV) Ephesians 5:11-15 (NIV)

Romans 8:5-8 (ESV) Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NIV)

Romans 12:9-13 (NLT) Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

James 1:2-4 (NIV) Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV) Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

1 John 2:15-16 (ESV) Titus 1:16 (BSB)

Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)

Isaiah 29:13 (NIV) Luke 6:46 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Closing Prayer

Music Selections: All music themes used in this module are royalty-free or used with permission from artists from Envato Elements.

Theme 1: Motivational Orchestral Adventure by musicdream

Theme 2: Sad Piano Background by Twisterium

Theme 3: Sad Minimal Piano by Praded

Theme 4: Quiet Peaceful Piano Lullaby by SunChannelMusic

Theme 5: Orchestral Dramatic Emotional by AudioZen

Theme 6: Mysterious Piano with Orchestra by Blacksmith

Theme 7: Cinematic Trailer by DimitriySimf

Theme 8: Motivational Cinematic by alexbird

Theme 9: Dramatic Violin with Orchestra by Blacksmith

Theme 10: Cinematic Mystic Orchestra (Opening Theme) by Blacksmith