In our first lesson, we identified two vital keys for interpreting Revelation: The Chiastic Structure (a symmetrical mirror where the beginning reflects the end) and The Old Testament Cipher. Over the next six weeks, we will trace this theme through the book. Today, we step into the second layer of the chiasm.
Who Is Revelation Written To?
Fill in the blanks
4 John, to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven-fold Spirit who is before His throne,
- John, to the seven --churches-- in --Asia--
11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
- Send it to the seven --churches--
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
- I have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the --churches--
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His slaves—things that must occur shortly. And He communicated it, sending it by His angel to His slave John,
- Jesus addressed this book to His --Slaves/Servants--
We can conclude therefore, that Revelation is written to and for the --church--.
What Are We Fighting For?
Remember last week the lesson was that Revelation was a prophecy, which is always in Scripture is always covenantal—it calls God’s people to respond, endure, and align themselves with His ways. We see this play out in chapters 2 and 3, Jesus gives a report card to seven churches. Jesus introduces Himself with a title, evaluates their works ("I know your works"), gives a warning/command to repent and then at the end of every single letter, He gives a specific promise to "him who overcomes" (or conquers).
What's interesting is that Revelation is not written to the churches in Israel, but to the churches throughout the empire in Asia after the dispersion recorded in Acts.
Lets take a look at Ephesians 3:6
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
Both Jew and Gentile are --Heirs--
The churches receive promises.
I would like everyone to look in chapters 2-3 and look for a promise that Jesus makes to each church and list them out.
| Church (Rev 2–3) | The Promise/Key Word |
|---|---|
| Ephesus (2:7) | --Tree of Life-- |
| Smyrna (2:10) | --Crown of Life / No Second Death-- |
| Pergamum (2:17) | --Hidden Manna / White Stone/ New Name-- |
| Thyatira (2:26) | --Rule/Authority over nations-- |
| Sardis (3:4) | --White Garments-- |
| Philadelphia (3:12) | --Pillar in Temple / God's Name-- |
| Laodicea (3:21) | --Sit with Me on My Throne-- |
The victory visions
In the mirror section we can see an introduction of Jesus coming with a white horse out of heaven, he is followed by armies in heaven. These armies are described in multiple ways throughout the book: the bride of Christ, the holy city (New Jerusalem), and the people of God.
Lets see what Jesus gives His Bride
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white, clean, followed Him on white horses.
- The armies of heaven are clothed in fine white --linen--.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them; also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus and on account of the Word of God, even those who had not worshipped the Beast or his image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they lived and reigned with the Christ for a thousand years.
- I saw the souls of those who had been --beheaded-- on account of the testimony of Jesus and on account of the Word of God... And they --lived-- and reigned with the Christ for a thousand years.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people. Yes, God Himself will be with them.
- Behold, the --tabernacle-- of God is with men.
6 Then He said to me: “I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I will give of the spring of the water of Life freely.
- I will give of the fountain of the water of --life-- freely to him who thirsts.
22 I saw no sanctuary in her, because the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb are her sanctuary.
- I saw no --sanctuary-- in her, because the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb are her --sanctuary--.
4 They will see His face and His name is on their foreheads. 5 Night will not exist there and they will need neither lamp nor sunlight, because the Lord God illuminates them. And they will reign forever and ever.
- They shall see His face, and His --name-- shall be on their --foreheads--.
2 in the middle of her street. And on either side of the river was a tree of life producing twelve fruits, yielding each month’s fruit monthly; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
- On either side of the river was the tree of --life--
- The --throne-- of God and of the Lamb shall be in it… and they shall reign forever and ever.
Discussion Question: Which church was promised the Tree of Life?
Discussion Question: Which church was received the Tree of Life?
Discussion Question: Which church was promised the New Name?
Discussion Question: Which church receives the New Name?
The church has moved from simply trying to keep the lights on to actively invading the world alongside Christ to conquer it with the Gospel.
| The Victory (Rev 19–22) |
|---|
| 22:2 – The Tree of Life is restored to the center of the City. |
| 20:4, 6 – Those beheaded for the Word "reign" and are immune to the second death. |
| 22:4 – The Bride publicly wears His "Name on their foreheads." |
| 22:5 – "They will reign forever and ever." |
| 19:8 – The Bride is arrayed in "fine linen, bright and clean." |
| 21:22 – No temple needed; the Lord God and the Lamb are the temple. |
| 22:3-5 – The Throne of God and the Lamb is in the city; they serve and reign. |
Jesus Wins
Revelation does not present different levels of salvation and victory for different churches. When we reach the Seven Visions of Victory, John doesn't show:
- One group with the Tree of Life.
- Another group with white garments.
- Another group with the throne.
Instead, all the blessings converge upon the victorious people of God. Revelation ends with one Bride, one City, and one people of God.
Too often, we view the Christian life as if we scraping our way into heaven. We fall into the trap of thinking that God tolerates us. But the book of Revelation tells a different story. It's: "Overcome, because Christ intends to share His victory with His people.". When I went though a period of depression, God lead me back to reread the promises He gave the the churches here. What amazing love! He wants me to bear His name, be His temple, sit on a throne, drink the water of life, access to the tree? What love is this?
When I think about my own sin, I don't see how God could want or expect this of me. I am very much aware of how soiled my garments are, but this goes to a lesson Paul gave the church at Ephesians 1:4-13. Those that are already in Christ are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, to be made holy and blameless, and to receive adoption and the redemption of the body. This isn't just an end of time thing, it starts the minute we place our faith in Jesus.
Think of it like a Cruise Ship. Before any passengers buy a ticket, the Captain has already decided exactly where the ship is going, what time it will arrive, and what the activities on board will be. God invites everyone to "get on board" through faith in His son. Once you believe the Gospel, you are "marked" or "sealed" as a passenger on that ship into God's Kingdom.
What begins as promises given to seven churches now appears as one unified people sharing in the victory of Christ. This a fulfillment of what Daniel saw in the OT!
13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
Faithfulness is not about being better than other believers—it is about remaining faithful to Christ. We are being forged into one overcoming people, destined to share in the inheritance of our King.
Discussion Question: How can we see our fellow believers as future co-heirs of this victory?