Post on 23-Feb-2016
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Revelation 2:1-7Christ’s Message to Ephesus
Seven Churches of Revelation: Ephesus
Church at Ephesus :The Loveless Church (Rev 2:1-7)Background
A thriving commercial city, the largest city in Asia Minor
Its religious life centered around the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (cf. Acts 19:23ff); her temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
After the church was established, the gospel flourished here under the ministries of both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John, as well as Apollos and then later, Timothy. (see Acts 19-20; book of Ephesians)
Temple of Artemis
Statue of Artemis (Diana)
Ephesus Theatre (seats 24,000)
Ephesus Theatre Aerial View
General Pattern of Each Letter
A description of Jesus Christ, taken from John’s vision of the glorified Christ in chapter 1
A claim of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know …”)
A description of the state of the church, whether by commendation, concern and/ or command
A universal counsel to hear what has been spoken
A word of comfort to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign
Revelation 2:8-11Christ’s Message to Smyrna
Seven Churches of Revelation: Smyrna
Church at Smyrna :The Suffering Church (Rev 2:8-11)Background
Smyrna means, “Bitter”. A thriving commercial city, 2nd largest city in
AsiaKnown for its beauty, it was called the Crown
of Asia. Smyrna was a center for science & medicine.
Its religious life centered around emperor-worship which resulted in a strong loyalty to Rome. Additionally, there were several temples to Greek gods & goddesses.
Smyrna had a large Jewish community that engaged in the persecution of Christians, making this a very dangerous place for believers to live.
Smyrna: 65 km north of Ephesus
Smyrna: Ancient Temple Ruins
Temple Sketch
Ruins of Hillside Theatre
Smyrna’s Famous Arched Walkways
Arched Walkway
Theatre for the Games and …for Persecuting Christians
Theatre
Statue of Lion (outside Theatre)
Christians suffered greatly for Christin Smyrna
General Pattern of Each Letter
A description of Jesus Christ, taken from John’s vision of the glorified Christ in chapter 1
A claim of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know …”)
A description of the state of the church, whether by commendation, concern and/ or command
A universal counsel to hear what has been spoken
A word of comfort to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign
Revelation 2:12-17Christ’s Message to Pergamum
Seven Churches of Revelation: Pergamum
Church at Pergamum :The Compromising Church (Rev 2:12-17)Background
Pergamum means, “height,” or “elevation”. The political centre of Asia MinorKnown for incredible library of over 200,000
volumes!Its religious life centered around emperor-
worship, and several temples to Greek gods, including Asklepios
& an enormous altar Zeus!
Pergamum was a very dangerous place for believers
to live.
Pergamum: 100 km north of Ephesus
Ancient Pergamum on the heights
Modern city of Bergama sits below
Ancient Temple of Pergamum
Ancient Temple
Temple Ruins
Temple Ruins
Artist’s Sketch of Ancient Pergamum
Altar to Zeus: in Berlin Museum to Pergamum
Jesus Christ’s Message to Pergamum
General Pattern of Each LetterA call to write to a churchA description of Jesus Christ, taken from
John’s vision of the glorified Christ in chapter 1
A claim of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know …”)
A description of the state of the church, whether by commendation, concern and/ or command
A universal counsel to hear what has been spoken
A word of comfort to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign
Revelation 2:18-29Christ’s Message to Thyatira
Seven Churches of Revelation: Thyatira
Church at Thyatira:The Sin Tolerating Church (Rev 2:18-29)Background
Smallest of the 7 cities. . . but received the longest message!
Positioned in a fertile valley, it was rich agriculturally, but lacked the geographical features to protect itself from invasion. Thyatira served primarily as a protection for the capital city of Pergamum by being in the pathway of invaders. Thus it was overrun numerous times.
Thyatira was a centre of commerce, which in turn produced a multitude of workers’ guilds (like labour unions); examples include linen workers, wool workers, dyers, leather workers, people who made outer garments, potters, bakers, and bronze smiths. Membership in a guild was compulsory if one wanted job security.
Emperor worship was not so much a factor here. However, guild members were expected to attend the guild festivals, to eat the food that had been offered to one of the gods, and participate in grossly immoral activities that would follow these feasts. The primary god of worship was Apollos, also known by the title, “son of god”!
Thyatira: 40 km southeast of Pergamum
Thyatira: The modern city of Akhisra, Turkey
Excavation of Thyatira
Ruins of Thyatira
Ruins of a portico in Thyatira
More ruins of Thyatira
What Biblical person was from the ancient city of Thyatira?
“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14
General Pattern of Each LetterA call to write to a churchA description of Jesus Christ, taken from
John’s vision of the glorified Christ in chapter 1
A claim of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know …”)
A description of the state of the church, whether by commendation, concern and/ or command
A universal counsel to hear what has been spoken
A word of comfort to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign
(Note: Change in order of counsel & comfort)
Revelation 3:1-6Christ’s Message to Sardis
Outline of Revelation
Message to the Prophet: John’s Past Vision (1:1 – 20)
Message to the Churches: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22)
Message to Ephesus (2:1-7) – The Loveless Church Message to Smyrna (2:8-11) – The Suffering Church Message to Pergamum (2:12-17) – The
Compromising Church Message to Thyatira (2:18-29) – The Sin Tolerating
Church Message to Sardis (3:1-6) – The Dead Church
What is the Message to Christ’s Church thus Far?Hold on to your first love for God and others.Don’t tolerate false teaching.Be faithful…even if it costs your life.Don’t compromise with the world.Live in light of Christ’s return.
Seven Churches of Revelation: Sardis
Church at Sardis:The Dead Church (Rev. 3:1-6 ) Background on the City
Sardis served as the capital of Lydia and was a wealthy city.
Originally it was situated on one of a series of hills that formed the transition from the lower elevation of the Hermus plain to the higher elevation of Mount Tmolus. Ready access to the city was available only from a small neck of land in the south.
Unlike Thyatira, these geographic features made Sardis an almost impregnable fortress.
However, the city was overrun twice in its history. In both cases, the people felt so secure in their stronghold that they failed to guard the steep sides of the plateaus. The invaders scaled these steep walls. It is said that even a child could defend the city from this kind of attack, but the inhabitants of Sardis failed to post a man to watch out for it.
The patron goddess of Sardis was Cybele. She was pictured as a pregnant goddess often riding in a chariot pulled by lions. Among other things, if was claimed that she could raise the dead.
Sardis: 45 km south of Thyatira
Ruins at Sardis: Lower City
Temple Ruins in Lower Sardis
Temple Altar
Sardis Gymansium
Gymnasium in Lower Sardis
Theatre in Lower Sardis
Jewish Synagogue in Sardis
Sardis Synagogue
Floor Mosaic: Sardis Synagogue
Baptistery from Early Sardis Church
Christian Church Baptistery
The Greek goddess, Cybele
View of Tmolus Mountain Range
Location of Upper Sardis
Location of the Acropolis
Hillside Theatre in Ancient Sardis
Cliffs of Sardis
Remains of Wall: Ancient Sardis
General Pattern of Each LetterA call to write to a churchA description of Jesus Christ, taken from
John’s vision of the glorified Christ in chapter 1
A claim of complete knowledge of the people addressed (“I know …”)
A description of the state of the church, whether by commendation, concern and/ or command
A universal counsel to hear what has been spoken
A word of comfort to the overcomer, which looks forward to Christ’s future reign
(Note: Change in order of counsel & comfort)