Letters to the Seven Churches

While in exile on the Island of Patmos, the Apostle John recorded the final book of the Bible, Revelation. It was the revelation John received directly from the Lord Jesus. In chapters two and three, we read how Christ directed John to deliver messages to seven churches existing at that time. These churches were located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The selected churches were representative of all the churches that existed at that time. They also are representative of and speak to our churches today. The letters contain powerful warnings and rich encouragements to churches throughout the world, then and now. In this series, Reverend William Macleod examines each of Christ’s direct and challenging messages to the churches. This series aims to provide meaningful insight, correction, and encouragement benefiting both individual believers and churches worldwide.

Every church is different, even today. As in all the letters from the Lord Jesus Christ, he introduces himself in a special way, and each introduction is particular to that church. Here he says he is “The first and the last, which was dead and is alive.” The church in Smyrna was struggling under trials, persecutions, and poverty, and the Lord writes to encourage them for their good works, to strengthen their faith, warn them of difficult days ahead, and promise them a reward in heaven if they would stand firm, and be faithful to the end.

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