The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.
With a new foreword by David E. Aune, this modern classic by Colin J. Hemer explores the seven letters in the book of Revelation against the historical background of the churches to which they were addressed. Based on literary, epigraphical, and archaeological sources and informed by Hemer's firsthand knowledge of the biblical sites, this superb study presents in the clearest way possible a picture of the New Testament world in the later part of the first century and its significance for broader questions of church history.
William Barclay devotes two chapters to each of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation. One chapter characterizes the ancient city and the other comments on John's message to the members of that community. This reissue of an older Westminster Press title makes a welcome addition to the highly popular William Barclay Library series. The William Barclay Library is a collection of books addressing the great issues of the Christian faith. As one of the world's most widely read interpreters of the Bible and its meaning, William Barclay devoted his life to helping people become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
A top New Testament scholar, preacher, and tour guide to the lands of the New Testament offers an informed commentary on this challenging portion of Scripture with an eye toward preaching the text. Jeffrey Weima explains the meaning of the seven "sermons" of Revelation 2-3 and provides sample sermons that show how these ancient messages, despite their subtle Old Testament allusions and perplexing images, are relevant for the church today. The book includes photos, maps, and charts and is of interest to preachers, students, teachers, and Bible study groups.
What if Jesus wrote a letter to your church? This eight-session LifeGuide® Bible Study helps us engage with the words of Jesus in the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. Studying this Scripture with a group or individually allows us to ask some hard questions—of ourselves, of our leaders, and of the Lord.
If you have ever read about the seven churches of Asia Minor and wondered what they are all about, this book will help you get a deeper insight into the character of these churches. You will get a look at their geographical locations, their historical backgrounds, and their experiences that shaped the way Christ addressed them. Christ introduced himself to these seven churches in seven different ways because their works were different, and he wrote them according to their works. The church of Ephesus--the first of the seven--left its first love, and the last of the seven, the Church of Laodicea, focused on material wealth without recognizing that Christ was on the outside knocking, seeking the opportunity to come in. The Seven Churches of Asia Minor will take you through each church one by one; it will help you to identify actions for which they were admonished or encouraged. Five out of these seven churches were admonished, warned, and given specific steps to take for their restoration; they could take these steps or face the consequences meted by Christ himself. The Seven Churches of Asia Minor will be an eye-opener for churches and individuals alike.
To properly interpret the Book of Revelation, we must have a thorough understanding of the New Covenant Spiritual Life. We must learn to emphasize the spiritual over the material. We must have a Heavenly orientation, as opposed to an Earthly orientation, to life, history, and our future.