Teaching the subject of the letters to the seven churches is always rewarding. There are some teachers who believe they are a progressive list of stages the church has passed through over time. I think it is clear that we have always had some of the things included in the list at every stage of the church’s history. What is clear is that the letters were written with a specific pattern in mind:

1) The “addressee”: Titles of the collaborating author with John (Jesus).
2) The encouragement based on Jesus’ personal knowledge of them.
3) The indictment or instruction based on Jesus’ knowledge of them.
4) The promise to them.

The attached chart is a favorite of my students, and is used when I take groups to Turkey to study the Bible lands in “The Life and Journeys of the Apostles”. Feel free to copy it if that will be helpful.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION – (Chapter two)

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION – (Chapter three)