Light from archaeology on cities of paul and the seven churches of revelation edwin m. The list of sevens in revelation agape bible study. What reader of the apostle johns revelation has not been stirred by the comments of the lord concerning seven branches of the church in the ancient province. As i read jesuss words to the seven churches and learned about each location, i wondered how these rocks should change my life. And i heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of israel. The 7 churches in the book of revelation exist today, in one form or another, because some things never change.
Laodicea, home of one of the 7 churches of revelation, ancient city in denizli, turkey. Jun 01, 2018 in the apostle johns vision of revelation, jesus spoke to the christians in these cities, commending some but warning most. Why these seven churches commentary a testimony of. And to the angel of the church in philadelphia, write. Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. Many people get caught up in the visions and forget that, from beginning to end, revelation had to make good sense to christians in asia minor toward the end of. Three, seven, ten, and twelve are known as the perfect numbers. The city of pergamum was renowned for its pagan practices. Revelation was first written for christians living in seven cities in asia minor, in what today is the country of turkey.
For various reasons, whether trade, military, or pure hedonism, these cities were major cultural hubs throughout history. Here is my map of the cities in the book of revelation. While reference is always made to the seven churches of revelation by name, the actual churches referred to were places of worship, rather than actual church buildings. Izzet keribar getty images abrahamic middle eastern. The island, named patmos, is located in the aegean sea. We all know the book of revelation can be challenging to understand. According to hebrew tradition every number has a symbolic significance. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. And the great city was divided into three parts the city of babylon. To understand the book of revelation better, one must understand the world in which its first audience lived.
The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia. The condition of each church and specific facts about each city are reflected in the content of each letter. Seven seals is the name of a 2005 album by primal fear and also a track on that album. This principle is basic to the interpretation of any new testament letter, but its easy to forget when reading revelation. Excerpts from the antichrist slideshow, concerning the seven mountains of revelation 17. The book next contains seven short letters of exhortation to the christian churches in. Chapter 7 the two cities we have shown that the spiritual maturity of those who worship rev. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the. The seven cities of revelation create a learning site. Detailed information on the 7 cities book of revelation.
Revelation was first written for christians living in seven cities in asia minor, in what today is the. Interactive map of the seven churches in revelation. They will be the most severe judgments the world has ever seen. These places provided a relatively safe haven for the early christians and were roman cities. W hen you study the book of revelation, one of the first things that you will look at are the seven churches listed in revelation chapters 2 and 3. The prophetic visions god would give him would become the book of revelation. Jun 26, 2016 a look at the meaning of each city name of the 7 cities in revelation. Apparently, they were singled out because john had ministered in them.
The book is also written to all believers everywhere. Map of the seven churches in asia position of the seven churches in asia minor to whom the seven epistles in revelation were addressed. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. Revelation, of course, is written to the seven cities of asia modern turkeyephesus. And power was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. They are recorded as apocalyptic events that were seen in the vision of the revelation of jesus christ, by john of patmos. Seven churches in revelation then and now the seven churches in revelation are located in western asia minor presentday turkey, accessible by way of the aegean sea and the ancient trade routes between the west and east. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning.
In letters to seven churches of revelation, the apostle john lists warnings and praise for historic and modern churches. Map of the 7 churches of revelation bible history online. The seven churches of revelation, also known as the seven churches of the apocalypse and the seven churches of asia, are seven major churches of early christianity, as mentioned in the new testament book of revelation. The seven cities of the book of revelation 1914 9781104430726.
It was known for the manufacture of garments made of black glossy wool, and even had an excellent and well known medical school that produced eye salve called cellyrium. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book was penned by a christian named john, who had visions on the island of patmos near the end of the first century a. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. Ive finished the the first draft my casual english bible paraphrase of revelation. The first of these visions concerned seven churches located in asia minor.
The names of the seven mountains on which the woman sitteth. The church in philadelphia was the sixth of seven churches who received a spiritual evaluation directly from god through jesus christ. It is fascinating to see how the historical data matches up with what jesus said about each city. All of prophecy fits a pattern outlined by these city names. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Im working now on the discussion questions, leaders guide, and atlas. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. The seven bowl or vial judgments are the final judgments of the tribulation period. Also known as the seven churches of asia modern turkey as the first chapter of the book of revelation explains, the apostle john was given a vision of endtime events leading up to the return of jesus christ. Ephesus was both the capital of the roman province of asia and one of the earliest centers of christianity. Click on any of the map markers and more information about that place will pop up. These things says the holy one, the one who is true. Seven is the second perfect number signifying fullness and perfection, especially spiritual perfection.
Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. For example, thyatira, the 4th of 7 sevens, can mean the. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. All of them are located in the asia minor, presentday turkey. The book of revelation is the ending to the greatest story ever told. The division mentioned here in three parts was manifestly with reference to its destruction either that one part was smitten and the others remained for a time, or that one form of destruction came on one part, and another on the others. Map of the cities with the seven churches in revelation. After today which will include our introduction and revelation chapter 1 we will look at the seven 7 cities and seven 7 churches in revelation 23. The map with this feature is an early attempt that ill polish later. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Laodicea was the richest of the 7 cities and was known for banking, and had immense wealth. The romans exiled john to a tiny island due to his belief in jesus christ and his preaching of the word of god revelation 1. Mar 19, 2020 today, we begin an eight 8 part series on the book of revelation.
Jul, 2019 ive been paraphrasing the book of revelation, and creating support material such as maps. The seven churches of revelation the seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation were actual physical churches in the names of the locations john gives, so the letters that john writes to these churches. Reggae artist anthony b named an album seven seals and also references the seven seals in his song prophecy a reveal. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. The seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation were actual physical churches in the names of the locations john gives, so the letters that john writes to these churches were actually delivered to these cities, so these letters may have less to do with seven different church ages as some scholars. Map shows the approximate locations of the cities with the seven churches that are mentioned in the bibles book of revelation. The book of revelation begins with seven letters to seven churches in seven cities in the roman province of asia. Today, we begin an eight 8 part series on the book of revelation. Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea. In how to read the bible for all it is worth the authors write, when turning. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23.
Aug 02, 2001 what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. Home the seven cities and seven churches of revelation. There you will see seven actual letters from jesus one to each church. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. Asia was a term which in the books of the maccabees actually means asia minor, which antioch iii the great had to give up to the roman province of asia proconsularis formed after 3 b. Sep 25, 2018 let us first refer to the bible scripture in the book of revelation. British experimental apocalyptic folk band current 93 has several tracks that refer to the seven seals. Some at least of these cities had christian communities before the end of the first century. The 7 churches to who the letters were addressed were existing churches in asia minor modern turkey. Apr 05, 2018 the book of revelation begins with seven letters to seven churches in seven cities in the roman province of asia. The list of sevens in revelation new testament charts list scripture study guide.
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