Christ Speaks to Churches

MEMORY VERSE: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” —Revelation 3:20

REVELATION 1:9-11; 3:7-13

THE Book of Revelation gives its message through visions, signs, symbols, and dramatic accounts of the conflict between satanic forces and the people of God whom he has been preparing to participate in the messianic kingdom of promise. The book promises the ultimate establishment of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1)—a new social order under Christ in which the literal earth will be filled with righteousness and peace.

The opening verse of the book reads, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it [presented in signs] by his angel unto his servant John.” John explains in our lesson that he was on the Isle of Patmos when this symbolic message was given to him, and that it was on “the Lord’s day.”

This is thought by many to mean that, symbolically, John was standing at the beginning of the great messianic age, and that hearing a voice behind him simply means that from his vantage point of “the Lord’s day” the vision pertained to events of the past as foretold by the Bible.

The expression in verse 11, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,” is not found in the oldest Greek manuscript, and may be considered spurious. In the remainder of this verse John is instructed to write in a book what he sees in the vision which was just beginning. And this message was to be addressed to “the seven churches which are in Asia.” Historically, all these churches existed, and Bible students believe that the Lord used them in this message to symbolize seven stages of development in the entire church of the Gospel Age.

However, it would be proper to think of the promises made to each of these “churches” as applying to all the disciples of Christ in every part of the age. And these are indeed precious promises. And there are also reprimands and warnings to “the seven churches,” indicating that in the groups addressed there have been faithful and unfaithful disciples—those who would be rewarded, and those who would be punished.

To “the church at Smyrna” the promise was given, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (ch. 2:10) This was appropriate, because, as the message indicates, these were to be cast into prison, and otherwise persecuted, so the promise of future glory and a “crown of life” would be a great incentive to faithfulness.

To the last of “the seven churches” the promise is made by the resurrected and glorified Jesus, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (ch. 3:21) In chapter 20, verse 6, these are shown as coming forth from death in “the first resurrection” to live and reign with Christ a thousand years.

Our lesson cites the message to “the church in Philadelphia.” There are a number of precious promises in this message, not the least of which is that in due time the Lord would demonstrate his love for his people in a manner that even their enemies would become convinced of it.—ch. 3:9

The overcomers in this church are also promised that they will be made a pillar in God’s temple. This refers, of course, to the future, when Jesus and his true church, exalted to glory, will become the meeting place between God and man.

Our memory verse is another precious promise. How wonderful it is to realize that Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, ready to enter the lives of all those who hear his voice and invite him in! How rich indeed is the “feast” his faithful people enjoy with him. It is the feast of truth; particularly, at this time, the truth concerning his second presence and the nearness of his kingdom.

QUESTIONS

How does the Book of Revelation present its message?

In what sense was John on the Isle of Patmos “on the Lord’s day”?

What is represented by “the seven churches of Asia”?

What are some of the promises made to these churches?

In what way does Jesus’ promise to sup with his people have special significance today?

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