The Churches of Revelation

  T HE   C HURCHES OF  R EVELATION   This Bible study will provide an introduction and overview of the churches of Revelation.   What is the church?  The word “church” is a translation from the Greek word “ekkiesia” which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 until Christ’s return.  All those who are in full agreement with what Peter taught in Acts chapter 2, those who have believed on Jesus Christ, been baptized in His name, and baptized by His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.   Paul wrote to “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2), to “the churches [plural] of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2), and to “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thessalonian. 1:1). Similarly, Christ, through the apostle John, addressed “the seven churches which are in Asia” (Revelation 1:11), all which are a part of the one univers

  T HE   C HURCHES OF  R EVELATION   Bible Study   To set the stage for this study let’s begin with  Revelation 1:1 .  “The revelation of Jesus Christ.”   Some Bibles say the Revelation of John, in the heading. But,  verse 1  begins with - “ The revelation of Jesus Christ  which God gave to him (John)  to show things to His servants which must shortly come to pass, and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant, John.”   Verse 2  “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”   Verse 3   “ Blessed is he that readeath, and he that hear the words of this prophecy , and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”   We are blessed to be able to read the word of God for ourselves. We are blessed if we listen with our hearts and keep those things which are written to the churches. Don’t dawdle or put off what Jesus is trying to tell us – the time is at hand!    Verses 4-6  Jesus identifies Hims

  T HE   C HURCH OF  E PHESUS 1.          1.  Ephesus – The Loveless Church (Revelation 2:1-7) -- the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4). History of the City: The first church mentioned was in Ephesus. Ephesus was an ancient port city whose well-preserved ruins are in modern-day Turkey. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors. Ephesus still remains an important archaeological site. It was a popular place of early Christian evangelism and a place that most Christians journey to today.  Ephesus played a vital role in the spread of Christianity. Starting in the first century A.D., notable Christians such as the apostles Paul and John visited and rebuked the cults of Artemis, winning many Christian converts in the process. Ephesus is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and the biblic

  T HE   C HURCH OF  S MYRNA 2.               2.  Smyrna – The suffering Church (Revelation 2:8-11) -- the church that would suffer persecution (2:10). History of the City: The second church mentioned was in Smyrna. Smyrna was located north of Ephesus in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. The primary ruins of Smyrna are located in the modern Turkish city of Izmir. Scripture does not give us any information concerning the founding of this church, nor is it mentioned in the book of Acts. Presumably, this church was founded during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). (Revelation 2:8)  “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;”  There was no rebuke for this faithful church. They were encouraged to stay faithful, even when facing physical death. (Revelation 2:9)  “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the

  T HE   C HURCH OF  P ERGAMOS 3.                   3.  Pergamos — The compromising Church (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16). History of the City: The third church mentioned was in Pergamum. Pergamum is located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. It was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3 rd  century BC, and became a Greek and Roman hub for temple worship. The city had three temples dedicated to the worship of the Roman emperor, another for the goddess Athena, and the Great Altar of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. Many scholars believe this altar is the “seat of Satan” mentioned in the book of Revelation. The people of Pergamum worshipped a great number (possibly thousands) of Greek and Roman gods, but when Christianity arrived with the belief in just one god, the city’s pagan priests went on the attack and their most famous victim was a man named Antipas.   In the book of Revelation, Jesus called Antipas “m

  T HE   C HURCH OF  T HYATIRA 4.                  4.  Thyatira — The adulterous Church (Revelation 2:18-29) -- the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).  Thyatira is located in western Asia Minor about 42 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The ancient city was known for its textiles and dyeing trade, and is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar. The Apostle Paul and Silas might have visited Thyatira during Paul’s second or third journey, although the evidence is entirely circumstantial. They visited several unnamed towns in the general vicinity during the second journey (Acts 16:4-12). While in Philippi, Paul and Silas stayed with a woman named Lydia from Thyatira, who continued to help them even after they were jailed and released (Acts 16:13-15, 40). (Revelation 2:18-19),  “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and serv

  T HE   C HURCH OF  S ARDIS 5.                    5.  Sardis — The Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-6) -- the church that had fallen asleep (1:2). History of the City:  The fifth church mentioned was in Sardis. Sardis began as a hilltop citadel where the king of Lydia lived. The kingdom of Lydia became the dominant power in western Anatolia with Sardis as its capital. Sardis is located on the banks of the Pactolus River in western Asia Minor, 60 miles inland from Ephesus and Smyrna. Popular ruins include the decadent temples and bath houses. The ancient city was noted for its fruit and wool, and claims this is where the art of dyeing wool was invented. The city’s wealth was partly due to the gold which was found in the sand of the river Pactolus, and it was here that gold and silver coins were first struck. Sardis was also involved in pagan worship and had a temple to the pagan goddess Cybele, whose worship was similar to that of the goddess Dianna in Ephesus. Tradition has it that Sardis