An Easy Bible Study in Revelation.

I have hidden your Word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

Reading the Bible can be a daunting task.  When it comes to reading, picking up a great novel or reading my blog is so much easier.

Where to begin reading the Bible is only slightly less daunting.  Genesis (first book of the Old Testament) and Matthew (first book of the New Testament) are seemingly good places to start.  Randomly opening the Bible and reading where ever the pages lay can be fun and confusing.  Or following a reading plan can be helpful for those of us that need more direction. (I try to follow the LJRP.)

But if reading the Bible can be daunting, then studying the Bible can be intimidating.  Reading is one thing, understanding is something completely different.  Many of us feel ill-equipped to "study" the Bible let alone "understand" it.  So in an effort to be helpful, here is an easy Bible Study in Revelation.

Seven Churches in Revelation B.S. (Bible Study)

In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus has something to say to 7 churches in the Roman province of Asia (modern day Turkey):
          The Church of Ephesus (2:1-7)
          The Church of Smyrna (2:8-11)
          The Church of Pergamum (2:12-17)
          The Church of Thyatira (2:18-29)
          The Church of Sardis (3:1-6)
          The Church of Philadelphia (3:7-13)
          The Church of Laodicea (3:14-22)

When reading any of the above verses for each church, keep these 5 questions in mind:
          1) What did Jesus say about himself?
          2) What did Jesus say as a word of encouragement?
          3) What did Jesus say as a word of rebuke (correction)?
          4) What did Jesus say would happen if the church repented (or overcame)?
          5) What did Jesus say would happen if the church didn't repent (or overcome)?

For example: The Church of Ephesus, Revelation Chapter 2 Verses 1 through 7.

To the Church of Ephesus--

(1)"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: (2)I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (3)You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (4)Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (5)Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (6)But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7)He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

what did Jesus say about himself?  "These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands."

 

what did Jesus say as an encouragement? "I know your deeds, your hardwork and your perseverance."

 

what did Jesus say as a rebuke (correction)? "You have forsaken your first love."

 

what did Jesus say if they repented (or overcame)? "I will give you the right to eat from the tree of life."

 

what did Jesus say if they didn't repent (or overcome)? "I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

 

 

Try asking these questions for the other 6 churches.  Sometimes Jesus doesn't have something bad to say, and sometimes Jesus doesn't have something good to say.  But overall this can be a quick and easy study of the Bible.  You may discover you have further questions when you read, like: What does the lampstand mean anyway?  If you do, ask them in a comment, and maybe I can answer it for you.  Or you can go to StudyLight.org as a helpful resource.

 

One last question.  Does anything Jesus is saying to these churches feel like something he might be saying to you?  Let me know in the comments and maybe we can encourage and pray for eachother.