Seven Churches of Revelation
Discover the profound depths of the Book of Revelation, penned by John, one of Jesus' devoted disciples. Departing from his homeland in Israel, John settled in Ephesus, a bustling hub in Asia Minor's heart. John shepherded six other vibrant churches from this location, strategically positioned along the ancient world's trade routes.
Join us as we travel back in time, envisioning ourselves as residents of those ancient cities and rediscovering the seven poignant letters addressed to these historic churches through the lens of their first-century cultural context. As we immerse ourselves in the text, we seek to grasp the subtle nuances, the cultural references, and the echoes of a bygone era that resonate throughout John's writing.
Imagine the past whispers echoing through those ancient cities' corridors. What hidden truths embedded in their history and culture did John intend for his contemporaries to grasp? The Book of Revelation resounds with significance, a symphony of messages that reverberated deeply within the hearts of its original audience.
Yet, for modern ears, much remains veiled in obscurity. Our quest in this study is to unravel the layers of meaning to unearth the gems of wisdom buried within the text. Prepare to be astounded as we uncover the rich tapestry of symbolism, prophecy, and divine revelation woven into the fabric of this apocalyptic book.
Through this journey, I aim to revive John's message's essence, reclaiming its relevance for our spiritual pilgrimage today.
Join me as we embark on a transformative expedition, rediscovering the timeless truths illuminating our path toward a deeper communion with God.
Join us as we travel back in time, envisioning ourselves as residents of those ancient cities and rediscovering the seven poignant letters addressed to these historic churches through the lens of their first-century cultural context. As we immerse ourselves in the text, we seek to grasp the subtle nuances, the cultural references, and the echoes of a bygone era that resonate throughout John's writing.
Imagine the past whispers echoing through those ancient cities' corridors. What hidden truths embedded in their history and culture did John intend for his contemporaries to grasp? The Book of Revelation resounds with significance, a symphony of messages that reverberated deeply within the hearts of its original audience.
Yet, for modern ears, much remains veiled in obscurity. Our quest in this study is to unravel the layers of meaning to unearth the gems of wisdom buried within the text. Prepare to be astounded as we uncover the rich tapestry of symbolism, prophecy, and divine revelation woven into the fabric of this apocalyptic book.
Through this journey, I aim to revive John's message's essence, reclaiming its relevance for our spiritual pilgrimage today.
Join me as we embark on a transformative expedition, rediscovering the timeless truths illuminating our path toward a deeper communion with God.
Photo: ruins of the Zeus Altar in ancient Pergamum (see Zeus Altar here)
Introduction: When Kingdoms Collide
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Church of Sardis - Alive or Dead?
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Sardis (2) - Goddess Cybele
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Pergamum 1 - Asclepius
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Pergamum 2 - Satan's Throne?
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Pergamum 3 - Dionysus
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The Imperial Cult - Worship of Caesar
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Thyatira - The Son of God
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Laodicea 1 - Rule over God's Creation
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Laodicea 2 - Hot or Cold!
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Ephesus 1 - Introduction
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Ephesus 2 - Artemis of the Ephesians
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Who is the Beast from the Sea?
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Philadelphia 1 - A New Name
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Philadelphia 2 - New Jerusalem
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Smyrna - City of ResurrectionLesson 16 Handout - Click Here
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PDF - List of Emperors with Jesus' Disciples & ApostlesDownload Handout - Click Here
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Text to Context ExampleThe New Testament writers such as John, speak the words of the Bible (text) directly into the cultural and historical context of their day.
The result is that the Old Testament and the story of God's redemption is brought to bear on a modern world. |
Bibliography:
Hemer, Colin J. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
https://amzn.to/49fMFey
https://amzn.to/49fMFey
Worth, Roland H. The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse and Greco-Asian Culture. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2019 https://amzn.to/3OGtbHu
Worth, Ronald H. The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse and Roman Culture. https://amzn.to/49fMwb0
N.T. Wright, How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Bible https://amzn.to/49zGu4O
Ramsay, William Mitchell. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia https://amzn.to/49yp4Wc
Crossan, John Dominic, and Jonathan L. Reed. In Search of Paul: How Jesus Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom. Harper Collins, 2009. https://amzn.to/3OJkYm6
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