Day 360, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Revelation 1–3
Chronological Note and Keys to Interpretation
Revelation and Review
Christmas is over for most of us, and we are already thinking of the New Year. The News broadcasters will be airing, “The Year In Review.”
Have you ever wondered what will happen in the end times of the earth? The last book of the Bible is The Revelation of Jesus Christ (note that it is one revelation with many events and characters). God gave this Revelation to his Son, Jesus “to show his servants what must soon take place (in the last days of the earth as we know it). He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John”, (Revelation 1:1, NIV). Note: the word “soon” can mean “suddenly,” which is preferable for our understanding of the book.
Because of his Christian faith, John is exiled on the island of Patmos. There he writes the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ to seven persecuted churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). He is probably the bishop over the churches in that area. It is to him that Jesus makes an appearance in all his glory. He has the appearance of a priest, for he offered himself as the sacrifice for their (and our) sins. He also has the appearance of a judge.
The Appearance of Jesus
As head of all the churches, Jesus Christ appears walking among seven golden lampstands. He tells John these lampstands represent the seven churches. Christ holds seven stars in his hand representing seven messengers. Some Bible versions use the term “angels” but the Greek term for angels means messengers, and the messengers of the churches are probably, in this context, the pastors of the churches.
Jesus holds these seven stars in his right hand, symbolizing possession, favor, and security. For these persecuted churches, this picture is probably an encouragement and a sobering reminder that God is among them.
We, too, as believers in Christ (sometimes referred to as the sheep of his pasture) are held in the hand of God (John 10:28-29).
Jesus Judges the Churches
As judge, Jesus Christ now reviews their activities and tells John to write down the report for each one.
The message to each church follows a similar pattern:
1. A commendation (except for Sardis and Laodicea), beginning with the phrase, “I know your deeds.”
2. A condemnation for evil (except Smyrna and Philadelphia)
3. A call to repent or suffer the consequences which would be coming soon (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia).
4. A blessing for those in any church who overcome, especially during times of persecution.
Ephesus, the first church mentioned, is the workaholic church. She is busy working hard, enduring persecution, and not tolerant of false teachers; but she neglects the relationship with Christ, her spiritual husband.
Are we like this? Do we neglect God or our family because we're too busy? The remedy for that church is also our remedy—repent and do the things you did at first when you were in love, when you had a new relationship with Christ.
Smyrna is the persecuted church. She is challenged not to be afraid but be faithful till death, and she will be given the crown of life. Are any of us persecuted? We can take encouragement from these words. If we are faithful, we, too, will be rewarded.
Pergamum is the inner-city church. It is “sin city,” and Satan has his throne or seat of power there. Prostitution and idolatry are rampant. In today’s society, we might liken Pergamum to a city church with gangs, pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers who rule the streets.
The church at Pergamum does some good things but makes moral compromises. Jesus tells them to cut it out (stop) or God will come against them with the sword of judgment.
We also need to live for Jesus, even when times are tough and our culture is rough. We should live holy lives, separate from immoral and wicked lifestyles.
Thyatira is the compromising church. She does some good things but also tolerates false teaching and immorality. God sees what she is doing and will repay her for her deeds. Do we think he doesn't see the compromises we make? He does.
Sardis is the dead church. She has religious ceremonies and teachings, but she is dead. The remedy is revival. She needs to wake up and strengthen the things that are about to die. She needs spiritual life. Do we need that? Her remedy is our remedy: Wake up! Repent! Confess your sins! Call upon God to forgive you and bring you spiritual life! (more...)
Philadelphia (which just happens to have the same name as a famous city in Pennsylvania) is the missionary-minded church. God blesses her for her love and patient endurance in times of suffering. Since he holds the key of David (Revelation 3:7 is a possible reference to Isaiah 22:20-22), he is going to give her an open door. This open door represents access and may mean access to spiritual treasures (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the N.T. by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p. 939), or possibly success in spreading the gospel of the kingdom of God, or both.
Do we love God? Do we patiently endure afflictions for the sake of the gospel? If so, he will bless our efforts and give us more opportunities like this church.
Laodicea is the luke-warm church. She has wealth and prosperity but no need for God. She isn’t hot in her zeal for the Lord to evangelize and suffer persecution but seeks comfort and convenience. Yet, she isn’t cold toward God. She still holds church services, teaches the Word of God, and seems religious; she just doesn't live the gospel. If she doesn't repent, God will spew her out of his mouth.
Are we that way? If we don’t repent, we may also make God sick and lose favor with him.
Each of these letters ends with a promise. These promises are for those who overcome. Who are those who overcome? John said in a previous letter that he “who overcomes the world … [is] he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1John 5:5, NIV).
In the specific context of Revelation 2-3 the promises for “he who overcomes” are written to encourage churches who are faithful in times of persecution. We know from other Scriptures that most, if not all, of these promises are for all genuine believers in Christ.
Promises for the Person Who Overcomes
- He'll be given the right to eat from the tree of life and live forever. (2:7b)
- He'll not be hurt at all by the second death (although he might suffer physical death, he'll not suffer spiritual death (a reference to the Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:14; 21:8)]. (2:11b, NIV)
- Jesus will give him some of the hidden manna. "I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." (2:17b, NIV). Hidden manna may be a reference to Christ, who gave his life so we might live forever (John 6:31-35,57,58,63), and a white stone may be a reference to being acquitted of all charges against him.
- He'll be given authority to rule over nations and given the Morning Star (2:26b-28). The Morning Star may have a reference to Christ as being his hope of eternal life (2Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16)
- He'll be dressed in white (symbolizing purity and righteousness). "I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (3:5, NIV)
- Christ will make him a pillar in the temple of his God [a pillar signifies a place of importance and stability]. "Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." (3:12, NIV).
- I will give (him) the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne (3:21, NIV).
Are we Christians? While we all sin; it is the nature of Christians to overcome the temptations and trials of the world by God's grace and for his glory. If we are overcomers (genuine Christians), we, too, share these promises.
Discussion
Who or in what offices will Jesus appear according to today's Bible reading?
Jesus' review of John's churches are mixed. What would Jesus say about our church or us? How can we be overcomers to please our Lord and receive his rewards?
What kind of rewards will we receive if we are overcomers?
Chronological Note and Keys to Interpretation:
Chronological Note: The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is the last book of the Bible and is written by the last apostle, John. Anyone seeking to add to this prophecy will be severly judged (Revelation 22:18).
Keys to Interpretation: This book is apocalytic in genre. It has a literal and historical element, but future events are often shown through symbolic appearances or numbers. The only way to make good sense of this book is to keep following the literal, historical, grammatical interpretation whenever possible. When the text is symbolic, the author or the context will clearly indicate it.
For an interpretion of symbolic elements, we look first at the immediate context for clarification. If it's not clear, we look at coorelating texts from the Bible and let God interpret his Word. Revelation in many instances is the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies. We will get into that in the next few days.
In Revelation 1:19 (NIV) Jesus provides us with an outline of this book. He tells John to “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. What he has seen refers to the history of the seven churches of Revelation 1 and 22. These may refer not only to churches in John's day but churches in different ages of history. We may be in the last days of the church of Laodicea. What is now refers to what John is seeing now, and what will take place later is of course referring to the future.
Focus Verse
Revelation 1:3 (NIV) “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
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Looking Ahead: In heaven there will be a review of our life. What is heaven like? In our next lesson we look at The Throne Room of Heaven. Find out who will be there and who is invited.
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re-edited 12-26-2022
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