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Revelation was written around AD 95-96.
Revelation 2-3 actual letters from Jesus to actual 7 churches in Asia
Ephesus
- praise – your hard work; your perseverance
- rebuke – you forsook the love you had at first
Smyrna
- praise – you endured persecution; you think you’re poor – but you’re in fact rich
- 2:10 Be very faithful, even to the point of death–and I will give you life as a victor’s crown
Pergamum
- praise – you remain true to my name
- rebuke – but some of you followed Balaam’s way; Nicolatians—REPENT!
Thyatira
- praise – your love, faith, perseverance
- rebuke – you allowed Jezebel (female prophets); sexual immorality; idolatry
Sardis
- reputation for being alive
- rebuke – but in fact you’re dead–WAKE UP!
Philadelphia
- praise – you kept my word; you didn’t deny my name; holding the key of David
Laodicea
- rebuke – neither cold nor hot
- 3:20 I stand at the door
Revelation 4-22: ostensibly the church may appear to be under distress and Satan prevails. But Jesus (King of kings and Lord of Lords, Rev 19:16) will bring them to an end and usher in a “new heaven and a new earth” (21:1). And there God will reign for ever and ever.
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