Compare the Seven Churches

[hotcoffee]

I don't particularly like just posting a link.... but I think this one is safe.

It's a chart that compares the Seven Churches of Revelation, their commendations, counsel, and reward.

It also compares the 7 churches to a timeline I saw the first time I was reading the Book of Revelations.

I've thought back on it some while posting the Gospel Verses....

I'm pretty sure it should start some conversations.

 

[nobody really]

Very interesting (esp some of the links). Although I'm not that smart in the subject to start an intelligent conversation about it!

 

[hotcoffee]

Beachcat... I've been thinking about your response all day.

Thank you so much for responding and giving me a chance to mull all this Revelation stuff over. One of the ladies I work with is like you and I. We're trying to make sense out of Revelation. We haven't been to seminary. Sunday School and preachers haven't really made all this clear.

Like I said.... I'm only a reader of the Bible. I pray a lot about what to write. Don't get me wrong.... I love Jesus and I love reading the Bible and writing about it.... but I'm not a preacher. A long time ago, I wanted to die. My Lord wouldn't let me.

Revelation is a beautiful story line. John was a Jew, exiled to a lonely island in Greece. He had a vision.... well apparently several visions. He was hungry, alone, old, and selected. He had been a rich fisherman. He owned a good boat, not an easy accomplishment for an uneducated Jew. Then one day he met Jesus. He left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus taught him in parables. Jesus confided in him. Jesus let him see the event that took place on the Mount of Transfiguration.... you know that story right? That was when Moses showed up to talk things over with Jesus before Jesus was crucified. John thought he would be by the side of his friend Jesus no matter what. Then poor John just couldn't hang with Jesus was arrested. He ran... but Jesus forgave him.

Now John's stuck on this island, probably wishing he could die so he could see Jesus again.... and he starts to have these visions.

I've decided that one thing John is not.... is a wordsmith. He uses Jewish language that doesn't translate well into Greek let alone into our modern language. On top of that, he's trying to write down what he's seeing in a vision.

Think of it.... haven't you ever had a dream that you wanted to share but the words were just not right?

If I were John.... and I had a dream about Jesus, my Savior, I would want to tell people with all my heart. I'd try to choose the words that fit... but how does a human explain Heaven? Sure... he could have used better words. He had the spirit helping him write. Since I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God... it seems that God would have had John use words that translated easily into the current languages as well as the future ones.... like American English.... But it appears to me that it just wasn't God's plan.

I think God wants us to look at what John's writing. I think God wants us to put it into context and see the story as it unfolds.

I think John saw Jesus lighting candles for the churches.... In Chapter 4, John is describing the throne room. He tells us how he got there. Then he tells us what he sees. It was a meeting in the most beautiful hall ever. After all.... it's Heaven.... There are 24 people there with God. The animals were all aware.... they knew the past, the present, the future and even the reason. Those animals, a Lion, an Ox, a human, and an Eagle might have been with God and His Son since the beginning. Raised in Heaven.... appreciating time because there was really no concept of time like we have have.

So anyway.... as I go on... I'm going to describe what I think John is telling me. I don't know the Seminary Translations.

I do this after a lot of prayer.... but I think it's time we demystify the story so we can learn from it

 

[baydoll]

Book of Revelation ~

Purpose of Writing:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John by God “to show his servants what must soon take place.” This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. It gives us a tiny glimpse of heaven and all of the glories awaiting those who keep their robes white. Revelation takes us through the great tribulation with all its woes and the final fire that all unbelievers will face for eternity. The book reiterates the fall of Satan and the doom he and his angels are bound for. We are shown the duties of all creatures and angels of heaven and the promises of the saints that will live forever with Jesus in the New Jerusalem. Like John, we find it hard to describe what we read in the book of Revelation.

Brief Summary:

The Revelation is lavish in colorful descriptions of the visions which proclaim for us the last days before Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new heaven and new earth. The Revelation begins with letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor, then goes on to reveal the series of devastations poured out upon the earth; the mark of the beast, “666”; the climactic battle of Armageddon; the binding of Satan; the reign of the Lord; the Great White Throne Judgment; and the nature of the eternal city of God. Prophecies concerning Jesus Christ are fulfilled and a concluding call to His Lordship assures us that He will soon return.

Connections:

The Book of Revelation is the culmination of the prophecies about the end times, beginning with the Old Testament. The description of the antichrist mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is developed fully in chapter 13 of Revelation. Outside of Revelation, examples of apocalyptic literature in the Bible are Daniel chapters 7-12, Isaiah chapters 24-27, Ezekiel chapters 37-41, and Zechariah chapters 9-12. All these prophecies come together in the Book of Revelation.

Practical Application:

Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If so, you have nothing to fear from God’s judgment of the world as described in the Book of Revelation. The Judge is on our side. Before the final judgment begins, we must witness to friends and neighbors about God’s offer of eternal life in Christ. The events in this book are real. We must live our lives like we believe it so that others will notice our joy about our future and want to join us in that new and glorious city.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Revelation.html#ixzz33lyYJivl