Seven Letters

“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches…” ~Revelation 1:11

Many books of the Bible are frequently spoken of as “favorites.” One thinks of the Psalms, or perhaps a Gospel. Colossians is also a wonderful book, full of doxological statements about Christ. A different list also exists: the “confusing” or “difficult" books. Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel… these are certainly on many people’s list. But the Revelation of John might rank highest among them all. It needn’t be this way. The book itself provides ample clues about how to interpret it. However, one must be conversant with the rest of Scripture to really draw out the best and clearest interpretation. 

What we are going to do is spend the next few weeks looking at the seven letters written to the churches in Asia Minor, which comprise chapters two and three of the Revelation. But before we dive in, let’s establish some foundational principles of our upcoming study.

First, at the outset, we need to keep in mind what’s said in John’s introduction: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it… Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…” (vv. 3-4). There’s simply no escaping that Jesus intends for those who read and keep the words of this book to experience His blessing, His grace, and His peace. Now if that doesn’t make the Revelation a devotional book, I don’t know what does. It is given for our comfort, our help, and our love to Christ.

Second, we mustn’t be afraid of the Revelation. John begins in verse 1 by telling us that this is “The revelation (αποκάλυψις) of Jesus Christ… which God gave him to show (δεῖξαι) his servants… He made it known (ἐσήμανεν)…” The word αποκάλυψις means “an unveiling” or “uncovering.” The word δεῖξαι means “to bring to light,” and the word ἐσήμανεν means “to convey a meaning.” In other words, the introduction is packed with reasons to believe that we are meant to see, understand, grasp, and even take to heart (v. 3) what is in this book. So fear not, friend. We will glean much from this study if we trust Jesus’ words in verses 1-4 and if we rely on the Holy Spirit.

Lastly, let’s remember that these letters — while written to seven actual churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) nearly two thousand years ago — are for us to read and apply to our context. The number seven is highly suggestive that what’s given here is for the “church universal,” both around the globe and throughout time. We know there were more than seven churches in Asia Minor (several are mentioned in Scripture: Colossae, Hierapolis, Troas, etc.). This indicates John intends for these churches to serve as a complete (seven) representation of all churches. Are not the words of these letters penetrating to all our hearts? Are they not beneficial to us today?

Well, with this introduction behind us, let us put our minds to meditating on God’s Word for the next few weeks as we seek to be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained, as well as comforted and led into a posture of worship, as we study these seven letters of Jesus Christ to His people, even us.

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor