These websites have background information about the Seven Churches:
This map shows the location of the seven churches in Revelation.
Today, we begin an eight (8) part series on the Book of 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 2-3.
In Interpreting Revelation Merril C. Tenney writes, “One need not be an expert theologian to recognize that Revelation is different from the other books of the Bible. Weird imagery, lurid predictions of judgment, and the final gleaming picture of the city of God arouse the curiosity of the student. No other part of Scripture has proved so fascinating to expositors, and no other has suffered so much at their hands” (page 10).
Dr. Tenney’s outline on the Book of Revelation focuses on the Christology of Revelation:
Prologue - Christ Communicating (1:1-8)
Vision I - Christ in the Church: The Living One
Place: Patmos (1:9-3:22)
Vision II - Christ in the Cosmos: The Redeemer
Place: Heaven (4:1-16:21)
Vision III - Christ in the Conquest: The Warrior
Place: Wilderness (17:1-21:8)
Vision IV - Christ in the Consummation: The Lamb
Place: A Mountain (21:9-22:5)
Epilogue - Christ Challenging (22:6-21)
I. The Transforming Look: vs. 13-16
A. Like a Son of Man – vs. 13
B. Head and Hair White as Wool; As White as Snow – vs. 14
C. Eyes Were Like Blazing Fire – vs. 14
D. Feet Like Bronze – vs. 15
E. Face Like the Sun – vs. 16
II. The Transforming Response: vs. 17
When I saw Him…
I fell at His feet as dead…
Conclusion:
“When we dethrone Jesus Christ from His rightful place, we tarnish the face of Christianity and redefine it out of existence.”
Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola.
“I am a historian; I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history, Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in history.” H. G. Wells
More quotes from Jesus Manifesto (2010)
“…Falsehood is never so false as when it is very nearly true.” G. K. Chesterton
When I saw Him…
Here are some articles about the Seven Churches. You may need your MyValleyForge information to access some of the articles.
These books, plus many more, are available in our library: