Revelation
VII
Revelation 1
November 6, 2022 • Brent Stephens • Revelation 1
John begins this powerful letter by telling his audience that the contents have come directly from God. This message is a revelation (Revelation 1:1), or in the Greek, apokalupsis, from which we derive the English word apocalypse. However, that word has been somewhat misused in our modern context. The original word does not mean a mass catastrophe that brings about widespread destruction as movies portray. The word apokalupsis refers to mysterious truths that were once hidden, but that have now been graciously revealed. In this case, these truths are “things that must soon take place” (v. 1). Thus, John is referring to events that have begun to unfold in the age of the Church and will culminate in the end of all things, or the eschaton. This mystery has been disclosed to the apostle John, who is writing these truths down for the benefit and strengthening of the Church. This revelation of Jesus is to encourage the believers who are enduring widespread suffering and persecution. John invites his audience to read this revelation of Jesus, corporately, for their betterment and blessing. Those who hear and heed these words will be indeed blessed (v. 3).
Revelation 2:1-7
November 13, 2022 • Jeremy Brannon • Revelation 2:1–7
The Ephesians were a wealthy and proud people. Their city boasted the great temple of Artemis (a fertility goddess, known as Diana to the Romans), which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This temple was four times the size of the Parthenon in Greece. Even when their temple was partially destroyed in the fourth century BC, the Ephesians refused help from Alexander the Great, and rebuilt the temple themselves. This shows the wealth and power of the city. Artemis was not the only deity in Ephesus. There were as many as 50 other gods and goddesses worshipped there. Pluralism was the social order of the day.
Revelation 2:8-11
November 20, 2022 • Brent Stephens • Revelation 2:8–11
The city of Smyrna was located on the Aegean Sea. The city boasted an impressive harbor, a hill in the middle of the city known as the “crown of Smyrna,” and multiple idolatrous temples. There were temples to the Greek god Zeus and his daughter, Cybele. Smyrna also had a temple to the Roman goddess Roma. And, in AD 26, Smyrna erected a temple to the Roman emperor Tiberius, who had essentially been deified. It’s very clear that Smyrna was a city of pagan idolatry. The church in Smyrna, however, refuses to bow the knee to these false gods, particularly refusing to recognize the emperor as a deity. Strong oppression and tribulation come upon her for her faithfulness to Christ. This faithful church is one of only two churches (with Philadelphia being the other) out of all seven that Jesus brings no charge against.
Revelation 2:12-17
November 27, 2022 • Nick Steinichen • Revelation 2:12–17
Pergamum was a major city in the province of Asia, and a significant religious center. Behind the city was a large cone-shaped hill on which there were many temples to Greek gods, including a large altar to Zeus. Most significantly it was a center for the religious worship of the emperor. Christians would have been encouraged to offer sacrifices or incense on an altar to the emperor as a symbol of their patriotism and loyalty to Rome. However, no Christian in good conscience could participate in the worship of created things (Exodus 20:3; Daniel 3:16-18; Romans 1:25). The earliest Christian creed, “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3) meant no compromise of loyalty to Christ was possible. The church in Pergamum was sorely tempted to “accommodate” Rome, and Jesus’ letter to the church challenges her to remain devoted to the Lord.
Revelation 2:18-29
December 4, 2022 • Brent Stephens • Revelation 2:18–29
The church in Thyatira seems to have a similar problem to the church in Pergamum, whom we met in the last section. It seems that sexual immorality and pagan practices have begun to sneak into the church unchecked (Revelation 2:20). Knowing the grave danger that lies ahead for this church if this continues, the risen Jesus appears to John in a vision with a message for the Thyarians, which is also a message for us today. His message speaks to the purity of the Church, His Bride, which has been neglected. This desire for purity is displayed as John highlights Jesus’ flaming eyes and burnished bronze feet. Then Jesus speaks His words of commendation and correction to the church of Thyatira (v. 18).
Revelation 3:1-6
December 11, 2022 • Brent Stephens • Revelation 3:1–6
Sometimes major cities are so close geographically that it is customary to mention them together. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Dallas-Forth Worth and Tampa-St. Petersburg all share such proximity that they are like one large metropolis. The name of ancient Sardis is a plural noun, representing two neighboring places, one an impregnable fortress on a hill, and one a thriving trade city at the bottom of the hill. Sardis was the capital of the Roman province of Lydia. At the time of the writing of Revelation, the city’s glory days had long since passed. The decline of the spiritual condition of the church at Sardis mirrored the city’s fallen status. In this passage, the risen Christ calls the church at Sardis to remember, to wake up, and to repent. Jesus’ words are gracious, stirring the dying embers of a church whose flame is all but extinguished.
Revelation 3:7-13
December 18, 2022 • Nick Steinichen • Revelation 3:7–13
Philadelphia was located about thirty miles inward from Smyrna and the Aegean Sea, sitting on high ground on the south side of the Cogamis River. Its fertile land is well-suited for growing grapes, leading to an economy based mostly on agriculture and some industry. Because of this vine-growing ability, worship of the Greek god Dionysus—the god of wine— was a major pagan cult. Philadelphia had a strategic location at the intersection of several trade routes, making it a very prosperous city and earning it the name “the gateway to the East.” Unfortunately, its location also made it susceptible to earthquakes, and in AD 17, an earthquake destroyed the city of Philadelphia, along with several other cities. The Roman Empire played a huge role in the rebuilding of the city of Philadelphia, solidifying the city's devotion to the imperial cult. Just like in the city of Smyrna, those citizens who refused to worship the Roman emperor drew the persecution of the Roman devotees. Yet the Christians of the church at Philadelphia kept God’s Word and did not deny the name of Jesus (v. 8). This is a church that remains faithful to Christ in the face of multiple types of opposition.
Revelation 3:14-22
January 1, 2023 • Jeremy Brannon • Revelation 3:14–22
Laodicea is one of the most ancient cities in the Lycus valley. Archeological evidence can accurately prove that people lived in the city more than a thousand years before the writing of Revelation. Historical records show previous names of the city as Rhoas and then Diospolis (which means City of Zeus). The name Laodicea did not come into use until the 3rd century BC when Seleucid king Antiochus II renamed the city after his wife Laodice. The provenance of Laodicea—its origins, importance, and history—helped it to remain a free city even when it was annexed into the Roman Empire in 133 BC. As a free city, Laodicea enjoyed electing its magistrates, running its government, and minting its own coins apart from Roman control. These luxuries help us understand why the city refused Roman funds to help rebuild after a devastating earthquake occurred in AD 60-61. Laodicea did not want to be in Rome’s debt, preferring to remain as free and independent as possible.