Revelation 1:11

Revelation 1:11

Revelation 1:11 saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

Revelation 1:11

This is continuation of the verse 10 last week we saw that apostle John heard a loud voice like a trumpet saying “Write what you see in the book”

In Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet (Rev 1:11) saying, , I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last – the loud voice telling to write seven churches in the Asia minor.

Seven churches,

In that time of first century other than these seven churches there are many churches where there. The Corinthian church, Rapoli church etc.. But God mentioned only the 7 seven churches name, but actually this message not only for these 7 churches but its for all.

Not only the 7 churches but for all

In all seven cases the admonition/warning is included, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22)

The geographic Church locations

·        Today, we know the location of these seven churches as being in the Aegean Region of Western Turkey.

·        While reference is always made to the Seven Churches by name, the actual churches referred to were places of worship, rather than actual church buildings.

·        These places provided a relatively safe haven for the early Christians and were Roman cities.

Why God did not mention the churches in Israel and why He mentioned other churches like turkey?

This fact is important,

Reason 1: because at the time of the writing, the city of Jerusalem had been wiped out, the temple destroyed, Israel is no longer recognized  among the nations, and the Jews are being scattered to the four corners of the earth. 

Reason 2 : Persecution

Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Reason 1: Members of Church

·        Before Jesus Christ and during the Jesus Christ the word Church was not used. They call just Israelite, our God called “God of Israel or God Israelite.

·        From the day of Pentecost only we start calling Church. Why because

·        All Jewish were not accepted Jesus as son of God. So few Jewish where accepted Jesus there are called Jewish Christians.

Reason 2 : Blindness

From that time onwards His church, the mystery kingdom, is not unique to Israel, but is comprised of both Jews and Gentiles.

Rom 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. )

Gal 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

God himself only have made the eyes of the Jews blind for a certain period of time. Why he made it like that read Romans 11: 25 & 26

         For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

         And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Because of this reason only God did not mention the churches in Israel and He mentioned other churches like turkey

The Character sticks of 7 Churches

1. Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).
2. Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).
3. Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).
4. Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).
5. Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).
6. Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).
7. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).

Seven phases

The Seven churches are not only mentioned the 7 churches of Apostle John time. It also representing seven different periods in the history of the Church from the time of Paul until the return of Jesus Christ. The letters have a prophetic purpose disclosing the seven phases of the spiritual history of the Church.

Time Period for 7 church

·        The Ephesus Church Era from 31 A.D. to 135 A.D.

·        The Smyrna Church Era from 135 A.D. to 450 A.D.

·        The Pergamos Church Era from 450 A.D. to 1050 A.D.

·        The Thyatira Church Era from 1050 A.D. to 1600 A.D.

·        The Sardis Church Era from 1600 A.D. to 1933 A.D.

·        The Philadelphia Church Era from 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D.

·        The Laodicean Church Era from 1986 A.D. to present