Revelation 1-3

This book was written very near the end of the 1st Century AD, when John was an old man, and it appeared to him in a vision when he was in exile on the island of Patmos.  It is titled The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which literally means the “unveiling” or “revealing” of Jesus, so even though people think this book is about the end of history and end times, it’s really about Jesus.  The first chapter opens with the appearance of the glorified Jesus Christ, Who gives John instruction to write down the things that he is going to see and hear.  In chapters 2-3 Jesus dictates letters to seven churches in Asia Minor, where He provides an appraisal and instructions regarding the condition of each church.  These 7 letters are seen as both literal (for those physical churches), as well as prophetic of the entire church age throughout history.

In chapter 1 Jesus appears to John in all His heavenly glory, and with His instructions to write, He also provides a key for us to help in understanding the whole book.  In verse 19 Jesus tells John to write about “what you have seen”, “those things that are (now)”, and “the things that will take place afterwards”.  Chapter 1 includes the first part (“what you have seen”), chapters 2-3 the second part (“those things that are”), and the remainder of the book is the third part (“the things that will take place afterwards”).

Ephesians - Jesus commends them for the things they’ve done, but is not pleased that they have “lost their first love”.

Smyrna - The persecuted church that Jesus encourages to remain faithful even unto death.

Pergamum - The city where satan’s throne was, and the church that embraced idol worship and sexual immorality.

Thyatira - A church that is commended for their good works and perseverance, but who also tolerated a false prophetess among them, who led people into all sorts of evil.

Sardis - A church with a good reputation in the world, but not with God, as Jesus describes them as already dead.  Even so, there were a few in Sardis who were faithful.

Philadelphia - A faithful church of love that Jesus promises to keep safe from the day of tribulation.

Laodicea - The church that was neither hot or cold, but only lukewarm, which was repulsive to Jesus.  They thought they were rich and healthy, but Jesus declared them to be sick and impoverished.