Welcome to this week’s blog. For the next few weeks, I will continue to focus on my favorite book, the Bible.
This week I will continue with part two of the Bible, the New Testament (the Bible, Part 2). I will identify the purpose of each book, the author of each book, the date written, key verses and key people involved to help give you a better understanding of the Bible before you dive into it on your own.
When you open your Bible, you will find the New Testament has 27 books, starting with Matthew (28 chapters) and ending with Revelation (22 chapters). To date, I’ve completed the overview of the Old Testament, 39 books, Genesis (50 chapters) and ending with Malachi (4 chapters). In regards to the New Testament, I’ve completed the overview of 26 books, starting with the book of Matthew through the book of Jude.
If you wish to revisit any of the Old Testament or New Testament blogs, you can find them on my website: https://www.thewitnesstoday.com/blog-archives.
The author and compiler of the final book of the New Testament is John, from the Island of Patmos. For hundreds of centuries there have been many approaches to interpreting the book of Revelation. Many of these approaches have supporters, but none of which have proved to be the only way to interpret or read this last book of the Bible.
In this week’s blog I want to ensure I am setting the stage for the book of Revelation before you jump into reading this book. In the upcoming weeks there will be multiple blogs on the book of Revelation, as this is the final and last book of the New Testament, totaling 22 chapters.
The book of Revelation is written in “apocalyptic” form – a type of Jewish literature that uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (in the ultimate triumph of God) for all of us who will be in the midst of persecution. The events in Revelation are ordered according to literary, rather than a traditional, chronological timeline. Revelation provides a powerful message of warning and instruction for end times or otherwise known as judgment day.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. – Revelation 1:3 (NIV).
The purpose of the book of Revelation is to reveal the full identity of Christ, and to give warning and hope to believers. The author, Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation approximately 95 A.D. (From the Latin word annō Dominī – stands for “In the year of the Lord”), from the Island of Patmos.
Below are the chapters I have covered in this week’s blog. This format will help readers move through the book of Revelation at their own pace. I encourage you to study and jot down your questions as you go through each chapter and the supporting scripture.
Chapter 1-3: Letters to the Churches (1:1-3:22) (NIV)
Chapter 4: Message for the Church (4:1-22:21) (NIV)
The first four books of Revelation reveal the letters to the churches of Asia and the message to the churches.
When Apostle John refers to “churches” in Revelation most of us today would think this word is referencing a building, or a structure with a steeple, right? Not so. The Bible is full of symbolic signs and symbols. For thousands of years, Biblical scholars and interpreters have dedicated their lives to decoding, and translating scripture into multiple languages without re-writing, misconstruing or changing the meaning of God’s word.
Also keep in mind, we are always bound by scripture where God warns us about adding, removing or changing scripture. In Revelation, a scroll of prophesy, John records God’s warning to Christians.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which is described in this scroll. – Revelation 22:18-19 (NIV).
Therefore, in John’s vision from God’s angel, the “Letters to the Churches,” God is referring to people, all walks of life; every nation, every culture and every generation: all of mankind.
Yahweh (Jesus) will bring us down from our egotistical pride and humble us from our personal agendas. Throughout scripture He commends us for our faith, but warns us against our weakness without Him. How does He do this? He has already segregated all who call on His name from those who pierce Him.
Revelation chapters two through three identify the seven churches (main denominations of people), and the different types of disciplines or people God has called upon. As you read each of these seven churches, think of yourself with a sober judgment, in accordance with your faith in God.
In what church do you see yourself? As I did, you may find yourself fitting into one or more of the letters, not completely in just one. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. – Romans 12:3 (NIV).
1st Letter to the Church in Ephesus on the Great Day of the Lord – You will be
reprimanded, repent of your ways. You have done good deeds and hard work. You have shown perseverance. You have endured in His name, you faithful followers. You are cherished and desirable. But God does have one thing against you, you have forsaken the love you had at first (for Jesus). But repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, you will be reprimanded.
Revelation 2:1-7 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
2nd Letter to the Church in Smyrna on the Great Day of the Lord – You will not be
reprimanded. You have pure hearts. You will stay back and testify for God. You will be persecuted for ten days and suffer on account of His name (Jesus, the Messiah). But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
Revelation 2:8-11 (NIV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
3rd Letter to the Church in Pergamum on the Great Day of the Lord – Stay faithful to my
name during persecution. There are some of you who hold to the teaching of Balaam/Pagans and Nicolaitan ways so as to entice the Israelites to sin. You sacrifice to other gods. You practice pagan rituals to other gods. These are the teachings of Balak/Balaam. You practice dirty/rituals to other gods and idols. You committed sexual immorality. You worship a sun god, the Tower of Babel. Prostitution is in the temple. Repent therefore or you will have to face God, and the double-edged sword in His mouth.
Revelation 2:12-17 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, these things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is.
And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
4th Letter to the Church in Thyatira on the Great Day of the Lord – Your perseverance is on target with your walk, but you are still growing. Such a heart, a female deity goddess, a
self-proclaimed, prophesier. I see your deeds, your love, faith and service. I see that you are doing more now than you once did. But I do have one thing against you. You have been ruled by a woman, a deity, a goddess who was a self-proclaiming prophet. You followed her sinful teachings and misleading of sexual immorality, and eating food sacrificed to idols. Do not hold onto these teachings and the dark secrets of Satan, and I will not impose any other burdens on you, except to hold onto what you have until I come. Therefore, I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:18-29 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
Indeed, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.
And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels-- as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Consistent message of Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
5th Letter to the Church in Sardis on the Great Day of the Lord – You have a reputation of
being alive, but you 📷are dead. Your deeds are not complete. Are you pursuing self-righteous deeds for personal gain (i.e. Joyce Meyers/Joel Osteen) for those who come out? There are two groups of Sardis people. Group 1 – is Dead Work, and you have soiled your clothes. Group 2 - Their clothes are not soiled.
Revelation 3:1-6 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who
has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
6th Letter to the Church in Philadelphia on the Great Day of the Lord – You will not be
reprimanded, brotherly love – only affirmations and promises, no reprimands. God acknowledges your deeds, but you have little strength remaining. Keep his word, his Tora, His promises. You are saved from the wrath and Tribulation. You will be protected through the Tribulation. You will not undergo the suffering that will come upon others. God promises to keep you from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
Revelation 3:7-13 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
7th Letter to the Church in Laodicea on the Great Day of the Lord – Your deeds are
lukewarm. I would rather you be hot or cold, good or bad. Because you are lukewarm, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. You only focus on yourselves. You focus on your own principles, decisions and rights. Your physical focus supersedes your spiritual growth. You claim to be rich and you do not need a thing. But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. You need salve on your eyes so that you can see. There are ten virgins. Five wise and five foolish. Be urgent and repent or you will be reprimanded, you narrow minded fool. Repent from your selfish ways. I stand at your door and knock. If you answer and are victorious in my name, you will come with me, I will give you the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I did with my Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV) – From Jesus to Apostle John: And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Consistent message from Jesus: Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Let’s recap. This week we covered the first four chapters of the book of Revelation (27th chapter) in the New Testament. Next week I will continue with chapters five and six of Revelation.
I am hopeful that you are finding this format an easy, quick overview of the New Testament.
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli
Unstoppable Believer
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