Reading Revelation - Week 2

April 7-12
Revelation 1:9-3:22

Prophet John to the Sevenfold Church: Greetings! (Revelation 1:9–3:22)

By Dr. Rob Wall

Daily Readings Suggestion

1:9-20   A Vision of Jesus
2:1-11   Ephesus & Smyrna
2:12-17 Pergamum
2:18-29 Thyatira
3:1-6     Sardis
3:7-13   Philadelphia
3:14-22 Laodicea

Dr. Wall introduces us to this week’s section of Revelation by recounting a story from his youth – writing letters home from summer camp.  He shares that in the ancient world personal connections were maintained at a distance by writing letters.  Revelation begins with brief letters to seven churches in different cities of the region, written by John to communicate what he sees in his vision pertaining to them.

We’ve divided up the reading into seven daily readings, roughly one letter per day.  What a great way to dive into a fresh reading of Revelation!

 

As you read for understanding, consider these questions:

• What are the strengths of this church?

• What are the weaknesses of this church?

• What words of encouragement does John speak?

• What words of criticism or judgment does John speak?

For applying to your own life, consider these questions:

• Does my church share any of these ancient churches' strengths and/or weaknesses?  Explain.

• What word of encouragement is Prophet John speaking to me personally?  What word of criticism might have relevance for my life of faith?

Excerpt from Dr. Wall’s commentary:

What We Can Learn from the Seven Churches

 

...How one listens to Revelation, whether in terror at the warnings to repent from present sin or in shalom at the exhortations to hope for the Lord’s coming victory, depends in which congregation’s pew you sit! John’s seven oracles are precisely arranged so that the two congregations in gravest danger are those first and last mentioned (Ephesus and Laodicea), while the congregations in best shape (Smyrna and Philadelphia) are placed after and before these two in stark contrast. The other three congregations, noteworthy because of the description of their middling spiritual life, are appropriately found smack in the middle (Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis).

 

The centerpiece of John’s address to the sevenfold church is what the Lord has to say for the congregation at Thyatira (2:18–29), and we should read Revelation accordingly…