Hi and welcome to Season Three of Van Life Devotions. Leisl and I are touring Turkey and Greece, visiting many of the ancient sites where the very first churches in the world came into being paving ground for the Kingdom of God.
We are in Turkey and dotted around this beautiful country are the places where the seven churches were as mentioned in Revelations chapters 1, 2 and 3.
Today I want to share a brief introduction to Revelation chapters 1, 2 and 3. Somewhere between 90 and 95 AD, in a cave on the island of Patmos (which is about a 2 hour journey by power boat from here), the aging Apostle John wrote the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of John. He records the vision that he had from the resurrected Jesus at a time when Christians in many parts of this world were suffering from persecution - a persecution that had exiled him to hard labour on that island.
The book of Revelation is a letter written to seven churches. It uses visions and symbolic imagery to offer a glimpse of God's plan of the End times and His new creation. Commencing in the first three chapters are specific messages to a group of churches. In chapter 1, John writes: “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea"” (Revelation 1:9-11 NIV). Over the next couple of months, Van Life Devotions will be presented from each of these locations, looking at why Jesus said what He said, and what does it mean for us today.
By way of introduction, Jesus addresses each of the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, with these words: “To the angel of the church…”. Most believe that the angel refers to a messenger such as each church’s pastor or elders. They were to pass on this message from Jesus to their congregation. For each church, except Laodicea, Jesus highlights what they are doing well. For most they are enduring hardships or remaining faithful to the truth of the gospel. For six of the churches, Jesus tells them their weakness and need to repent. If they didn’t repent, Jesus warns them of consequences. However, there is good news to any church that overcomes, and each church has a specific message about this. To all seven, Jesus concludes with, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.
There are various interpretations about these churches. Some believe that the letters give a consecutive preview of the history of Christianity, with each church representing a distinct period in the history of the church up to the rapture. Others see that Jesus was addressing each of these churches and what they were experiencing at that time; however, Christ messages for those churches are messages for the church across its history and including today.
You know, over recent years, the more I read and study Christ’s messages to each of these churches, the more I see how relevant it is for me, you, and the church of today. Please join us next week as we come from the ancient city of Ephesus.
Let’s Pray:
Gracious Father, help me to have ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying to me and grant me the ability to do what You say. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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