Revelation 2:1-7

A pattern of love and concern

We learned in last week’s overview of Jesus’ speaking to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 that there was a repeating pattern in his addressing them:

• speaking to the “angel” of the particular church (“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus…” or “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna…”)
• indication of Christ’s presence among his church (“the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands…”)
• following this introduction is a commendation from Christ (“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance…”) *note that Christ is intimately aware of the condition of his body, the church
• next comes Christ’s accusation and counsel: something is not right and needs correction
• then comes Christ’s caution (or correction)
• each section then concludes with Christ’s promise to overcomers (“To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”)

These cautions and corrections are examples of Christ’s love and concern for his churches. This love and concern continues today.

Listen

Download (right click, then “save as…”)

Study Questions

(only available in PDF format this week)

10October-22-2017 study questions