This is the first of seven sermons where we are going to look at seven broad themes in the book of Revelation. This is a book of Revelation is a book of encouragement. It also speaks to three audiences:
The first century christians … This book contains letters written to seven churches of that time and also provides hope for the future.
Christians of all ages … Timeless truths within the book still speak to us, as does the hope of a future in Heaven.
The last generation … The book also contains end time prophecy and much symbolism of the end times.
The Greek word “nike” is in this book quite often. The word, often associated with shoes, means “victory” and is translated into a few different words in our English translations.
Revelation 17:14 is the key verse in Revelation and shows us the final outcome of the battle between Good and Evil, God vs Satan.
Revelation is a vision God gave to John that is symbolic of the end times.
Revelation 1-3
Revelation 1 reveals Jesus as the Living One who holds the keys to death and Hades. He walks among the seven churches and holds their angels in His right hand. … The lampstands represent seven literal churches, churches that actually existed. What does a lampstand do? It holds up the light. … The stars could mean a couple of different things, but is most likely the elders or pastors of the seven churches. … Jesus lives and walks among them. Jesus is alive and talking to John. … Some people will say they love Jesus but hate organized religion. These verses show that Jesus is among the churches; He is in organized religion. Elsewhere in the Bible we see Him say that wherever two or three gather in His name, He is there. We were meant to worship God together with other humans. The church is far from perfect (as we are about to see), but that is where Jesus chooses to make His presence known.
Revelation 2-3 record the seven letters from Jesus to His churches. The letters all follow the same outline:
Jesus knows the particular circumstances of each church (Revelation 2:13). … Jesus knows the circumstances of our lives too. He knows what you have gone through and what you are going through.
Jesus praises almost every church. The main thing Jesus commends in the churches is perseverance/faithfulness (Revelation 2:13). … There’s one church of the seven He has nothing good to say about. All of the churches have at least one commendable quality.
Jesus criticizes almost every church. … Two of the seven churches receive no critique.
Jesus’ three major complaints involve:False teaching (Revelation 2:20). … Jesus cares about what we believe.
Sexual immorality (Revelation 2:20). … Jesus cares about how we live and condemn sexual immorality.
Spiritual temperature (Revelation 3:16). Jesus cares about our passion for Him.
Jesus challenges (or warns) every church (Revelation 2:5; 3:19-20). … He gives us challenges and warnings that are meant to draw us back to Him. To one of the churches, He says He is knocking at the door id they would only let Him in
Jesus offers a promise to those who overcome (nike) (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). … Jesus promises eternal life and glory and honor to all who overcome sin and follow Him.