#40daybible Day 37 (Revelation 1-3)

We start the final book of the New Testament with Revelation 1-3:

• Revelation mixes three genres. It is, first, a prophecy. Most of these chapters are, in addition, a letter to seven churches. 
• It is also an apocalypse. An apocalypse was a type of literature in which a heavenly being appears to a key earthly figure with a revelation about events soon to come.
• The author is John of Patmos, perhaps John the son of Zebedee. 

Church at Ephesus

• positive words about the past, admonition to return to their first love

Entrance to marketplace at Ephesus

Church at Symrna

Ruins of Smyrna, in the middle of modern Izmir

• nothing negative to say, they reject the synagogue of Satan

Church at Pergamum

Theater at Pergamum

• they have remained true, but they are tolerating some who hold to false teaching

Church at Thyatira

Ruins at Thyatira

• they're doing more than ever, but they tolerate a false prophetess or a false church

Church at Sardis

• The church is dead although there are some there alive.

Gymnasium at Sardis

Church at Philadelphia

Little left at Philadelphia

• only positive words to say about this church... God will make the synagogue of Satan acknowledge they are wrong

Church at Laodicea

• the lukewarm church

Reconstructing Laodicea, with Hierapolis in distance

Personal favorite verse:

• "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Rev. 3:20