The Churches of Revelation

  This Bible study provides an introduction and overview of the churches of Revelation.   What is the church?  The word “church” is translated from the Greek word  ekklesia , which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. This body is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ—from the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 until Christ’s return. It includes 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 received the baptism of 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 Thessalonians 1:1 ). Likewise, Christ, through the apostle John, addressed “the seven churches which are in Asia” ( Revelation 1:11 ). Though these were individual congregations, they were a...

  Setting the Stage: Revelation Chapter 1 ·     Revelation 1:1  —  “ The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.” Some Bibles label this book as   “The Revelation of John,”   but verse 1 makes it clear—this is the revelation   of Jesus Christ . It is a message given by God to Jesus, then revealed through His angel to His servant John, to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass. ·     Revelation 1:2  —  “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”  In this verse, we see the faithfulness of the apostle John. He “bare record,” meaning he gave a true and accurate account of what he witnessed. He did not add to it or take away from it—he simply recorded the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Chr...

  1.    Ephesus – The Loveless Church (Revelation 2:1-7) -- the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4). History of the City: Ephesus was an ancient port city located in western Asia Minor, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It was one of the most important and influential cities in the Roman Empire and served as a major center of trade, culture, and religion. Its strategic location made it a key hub for commerce throughout the Mediterranean region. The city was best known for the  Temple of Artemis (Diana) , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This temple made Ephesus a center of pagan worship, drawing people from all over to honor the goddess Artemis. Idol-making and related trades were a major part of the city’s economy. Ephesus played a significant role in early Christianity. The Apostle Paul spent considerable time there during his missionary journeys, teaching and establishing the church ( Acts 19 ). The Apostle John is also believed to have min...