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Letter to the Church of Laodicea | Revelation 3:14-22
In His final letter to the last church, Jesus indicates that this is a totally unsaved church. Although they are rich in material prosperity, they are spiritually impoverished and bankrupt. This is the picture of today’s church – the church of the last days.
Letter to the Church of Philadelphia | Revelation 3:7-13
After the Reformation period was the period of evangelism – Philadelphia (1700-1900). Like Smyrna, Jesus had nothing bad to say about this church. He graciously opened the door for evangelism and Christian missionary work all over the world.
Isaac is Born | Genesis Chapter 21
After Abraham’s momentary lapse of faith (and the rescue of Sarah – again [Genesis chapter 20]), God fulfills his promise to Abraham, and Isaac is born. There is much celebrating until Ishmael is seen taunting Isaac and Sarah demands that he and his mother Hagar be sent away.
Letter to the Church of Sardis | Revelation 3:1-6
After the Dark Ages (Church of Thyatira – 600-1500AD) was the Protestant Reformation period from 1500-1700AD. From this time period the church benefitted from a number of concrete doctrinal and foundational truths that were re-established for Christendom.
Abraham’s Failure (Another Lapse in Faith) | Genesis Chapter 20
As the time draws near for the promise of a son to be fulfilled to Abraham, he once again fails by his lack of faith. Nevertheless, God does not fail him and maintains His covenant with His imperfect servant.
Letter to the Church of Thyatira | Revelation 2:18-29
Thyatira represents the church age that saw the development of the Roman Catholic Church and a number of doctrines that corrupted Christian theology. Jesus greatly denounced these doctrines and urged them to repent or be cast into the Great Tribulation.
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah | Genesis Chapter 19
After Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah (namely his nephew Lot), the angels of God go down to Sodom and are only able to rescue a small portion of his family. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed and Lot’s family is rescued. However, although Lot and his family have been taken out of Sodom, Sodom was still in Lot’s family.
Letter to the Church of Pergamum | Revelation 2:12-17
The letter to the Church of Pergamum was encouragement to the Christians in Pergamum to remain separated from the pervasiveness of surrounding idolatry. Prophetically speaking, it was the birth of the state church and planted the seeds for the Roman Catholic Church.
Letter to the Church of Smyrna | Revelation 2:8-11
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.
Letter to the Church of Ephesus | Revelation 2:1-7
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.).
Introduction: Understanding the Letters to the Churches
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.
Jesus, The God-Man Judge | Revelations 1:8-20
Revelation opens with a picture of Jesus as the God-Man who stands in the midst of His church as the Judge.