The Church of Smyrna was a severely persecuted church. However, their sufferings refined them before Christ and He had nothing negative to say about this church. This church tells us about the period of persecution of the church from 100-300 A.D.
The first letter from Christ is to Ephesus. His primary concern is that they have left their first love – Him. He urges them to repent and return. This is the church of the Apostolic Age (30-100 A.D.).
Before we begin our study of the letters to the seven churches of chapters two and three, we need to discuss some introductory materials and how to understand (interpret) these letters to the churches.
Revelation opens with a picture of Jesus as the God-Man who stands in the midst of His church as the Judge.
God returns for a visit with Abraham and confirms the birth of Isaac and strengthens the faith of Sarah. But, also while He is there, He reveals to Abraham the impending judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham intercedes for them (namely his nephew Lot) and we learn some wonderful things about God’s nature.
In the opening of the letter of Revelations, we are introduced to the author of this letter/book, the Trinity (the tri-une godhead of the Father, the Spirit and the Son). Also, the theme of the overall book is stated: “the coming of Jesus Christ”.
