Lesson #2 SEVEN LETTERS TO SEVEN CHURCHES

John of Patmos addresses a series of letters to the early Christian communities of Asia Minor. The seven individual letters are like performance reviews, examining the strengths and weaknesses of each church.
 These seven churches faced challenges unique to each local situation. They grappled with issues such as Christians’ relationship to the dominant culture, questions of wealth and poverty, and relationships with Jewish communities. John’s letters to these churches are passionate and uncompromising. His goal is to persuade them not to blend in with their culture but to remain faithful witnesses to Jesus. John also seeks to give them hope.

Presbyterian Women Horizons Bible Study

Journeys Through Revelation--Apocalyptic Hope for Today

Lesson Two:  7 letters to 7 churches

Key ideas:

1.      No matter the circumstances, Jesus is in control (holds the 7 stars in his right hand) and Jesus is with us (walks among the 7 lampstands).

2.      We, as well as those in the churches addressed by John, are to remain faithful to Christ, no matter the cost.

I.       Briefly review the 6 principles of the study—on bookmarks and on page 4.  

II.    A.   These aren’t exactly what we think of as letters, which may be why the NRSV calls them messages.   Our study author, on p. 15, calls them “performance reviews”.  Each is addressed to the “angel” of a church.  What do you think that means?

Look at the map on p. 16.  Were there only 7 churches in Asia Minor, (now western Turkey)?  Not likely.  These 7 were major cities with a diversity of  issues (p. 15)—Christians’ relationship to the dominant culture, questions of wealth and poverty, relationships to Jewish communities, and  some dissension within the churches, themselves.  This was to be read aloud in every church.  John was calling them to task but also trying to give them hope.

       And, remember , 7, a number of which John is fond, is a number which signifies completeness.  “Let anyone who has an ear to hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

 Anyone who has an ear to hear.  Do we?               

We also face issues, such as how we deal with our culture, wealth and poverty, relationships with other faith communities, dissension within our churches.    John is telling us not to compromise but to remain faithful witnesses to Jesus.

     B.   The messages follow a pattern: 

           1. To the angel…

           2.  Reference to Christ, using one of the attributes from chapter 1.

           3.   “I know”, indicating, again, that Jesus is in their midst.

           4.  Commendation for faithfulness (except for the churches in Sardis and Laodicea

           5.  Condemnation for areas they’ve slipped in (except for Philadelphia)

           6.  Appeal to repent or hold fast and to listen hard.

           7.  Promise that all who do hold fast will conquer and be rewarded by Christ. 

Why do you think John uses such a  militaristic term as conquer?

III.  Ephesus   Read Revelation  2: 1-7

A.      Big (about 250,000), wealthy harbor city with a good library, sewage system and that infamous temple for Diana.  Paul had been there, and there was strong Christian tradition.  Not so risky to be a Christian there anymore, and they’re commended for keeping the faith.

B.     But there was problem within the community.  Who were these Nicolaitians?  They come up again in Pergamum, with a reference to Balaam.  It’s thought that they probably said, “Since we’re no longer under the Law, it’s okay to eat meat that’s been offered to idols.”  They might even have said, “The body is evil; do what you like with it.”  They advocated compromise with the pagan world.  And, if they had (have?) their way, the world would change Christianity, rather than Christianity changing the world.

     So, the Ephesians rooted them out and were zealous for adhering to the right way.  But in the process of pursuing orthodoxy, they departed from the ultimate way, which is love.  For Christ and for each other.  They’re told to remember and to do the works they did at first.  Otherwise, in 2: 5, the lampstand will be removed.  Christ will not be at the center. 

C.      Question 2 on page 16.

D.    What is promised to the members of the church in Ephesus? (2:7)  Tree of life is a Jewish concept that when the Messiah comes, the faithful will eat of it, in a garden of God’s.

IV.    Smyrna and Philadelphia Read Revelation 2: 8-11 and 3: 7-13 

A.      John probably put the churches in the order of the “mail route”, how a messenger would travel.  Barbara Rossing puts the churches with similar issues together.  (page 17) 

B.     Smyrna was probably a city where you had to swear an oath that Caesar was divine in order to hold a job or receive any benefits.  Christians who didn’t do so were in a desperate economic plight.  Those whose faith was so tested knew the power possible through Christ; they were spiritually rich.  John reminds them that Jesus experienced suffering and death and can walk beside them.

C.     Note that John says, “those who say they are Jews and are not”.  He’s not Jew-bashing; in fact, the implication is the opposite.  But, in both these cities, such people are attacking the Christians, apparently with some success.  John tells Smyrna that they will suffer (10 days means a short while).  He tells the Philadelphians that these pseudo-Jews will recognize the Truth. 

D.     John warns Smyrna of persecution.  What is promised to Smyrna?(2:10)

E.      What do you think is meant in 3:8 by the open door, which no one is able to shut? 

The Philadelphia Christians were said to have little power, but no mention is made of the economic deprivation that the Smyrna church suffered.   Perhaps they were being told to be more vocal, the open door being an opportunity to witness.

F.   What is promised to the Philadelphians? (3:10, 12) (Maybe the phrase, pillar of the church comes from this.  But here it’s a promise, not a description.)

V.     Pergamum (p, 18) Read Revelation 2:12-17

A.     Capital of the Roman province of Asia.  Lots of temples to many gods, including a really immense one to Zeus .  Animal sacrifices were burned 24/7. Think what that city smelled like!  Smoke could always be seen rising from the hill.  There was also a temple to Asclepius, with sacred snakes that were supposed to heal.  Maybe such places are what’s meant by Satan’s throne in 2:13.

B.     There had been persecution (Antipas martyred (2:13).  Commended for holding fast.  Then warned about accommodation to Roman culture (Balaam and Nicolaitians).  Since the poverty of Smyrna isn’t mentioned here, perhaps they were doing what they had to, to survive.  Eating with business associates, keeping silent when idols were worshipped.

               In the 5^th ¶ on p. 18, she points out the contrast between John and Paul on the issue of eating meat. 

            John’s emphasis is on witnessing, taking a stand and explaining it.

C.     What is promised?  (2:17)  (A white stone was prized, either as an amulet with the name of a deity on it or as a mark of membership in a special group.)

VI.     Thyatira (p. 19)  Read Revelation  2:18-28

A.      A commercial city; archaeologists have found inscriptions for many trade guilds.  And they had banquets where an animal was sacrificed to a god and then eaten. Hence this harsh reference to Jezebel.  But, if you wanted to do business…Not going along could be economic suicide.  John is especially harsh in condemning this “Jezebel”, leading Christians astray.  Do we ever do this?  (This is sort of question 6)

B.     Have someone read 2:19.   This commendation is warm and specific.  These Christians were doing a lot of things right.

C.     What is promised in 2:26, 28?  (In 22:16, the Lord describes himself as the bright morning star)

VII.     Sardis and Laodicea (p. 19)  Read Revelation 3: 1-6 and 3: 14-22

A.     These 2 churches receive no commendation.  Both are examples of merely nominal Christianity, maybe what we call “Sunday only Christians”.  No one would guess they’re Christians from their behavior during the week.  Apathetic, lethargic, lukewarm.

B.     Sardis had fallen in the past, overcome by the Persians and by Antiochus.  Christ is presented as the one who has the 7 spirits of god and the 7 stars.  These words indicate his sovereign control and the source of spiritual power.  Since the Sardis church, while having a name of being alive, was in fact dead, it needed this reminder.  Sardis gets “5 staccato imperatives”:  *Wake up!  *Strengthen what remains!  *Remember what you received!  *Obey!  *Repent!!

C.     Laodicea gets the toughest review.  Unlike the impoverished Christians in Smyrna, they’re “rich, have prospered, and need nothing” (3:17).  John says that in God’s view, they’re “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked”.  God calls them to invest in the treasure He provides, challenging though that may be.  And in 3:19, says, “Those whom I love I reprove and chasten, so be zealous and repent.”

D.    What is promised to Sardis?  (3:5, 6)

E.     Have someone read Rev. 3: 19-22  A picture of grace and free will.  The Lord promises fellowship

VIII.     We are the Philadelphians, Laodiceans, All of the Above  p. 20.

The diversity of these ancient churches and the challenges they faced can give insight into our churches today.

     One of the main goals of Revelation is to comfort the afflicted, but Revelation also afflicts the comfortable.  John expresses some harsh criticisms but also announces God’s call to repent and return to a vital faith. 

  What is a strength of our church for which I offer thanksgiving?

What is a weakness of my church which needs forgiveness and transformation?

What is a need of my church for which I ask God’s provision and direction?

What is a blessing that I have received from my church, for which I am grateful?