The Churches of Revelation

Exploring the Revelation of Jesus Christ in modern times

Dr. David Bernhard Bowers

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781098072834
• eBook ISBN: 9781098072841
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

Every student of the Bible approaches the book of Revelation with a sense of awe as they attempt to fold the greatness of God within the mind of humanity. Many rush to examine the significant prophecies without adequately dealing with the introductory chapters. Exploring the beginning chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ with a modern application, Dr. David B. Bowers examines the initial communique given by our Lord to the Apostle John. The churches of Revelation within reflect not only the status of the true Christian church throughout history but also reveal significant elements of the church in modern times that must not be missed.

The Announcement and Vision of Jesus Christ

We error and lose much of the instructional context of the book if we rush through the first chapter. We will list, as with other areas of the book, main elements of the first chapter and expound on their meaning and value to the entire text. How do they direct our thoughts and enlighten our pathway toward the next chapters? As we enter the very capstone of God’s work we cannot rush, but we also cannot mull each individual word or thought. We must travel at a speed which doesn’t not lose touch with the enormity of the entire message but not so quickly as to stumble past these key directives or phrases.

• The unveiling of divine mysteries.
• Seven churches.
• Behold, He is coming with the clouds.
• John’s situation and charge.
• The appearance of Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God.
• John’s directives repeated.

Foremost in the announcement of this book is the encounter that it is a message from God, given to believers in Christ, to reveal to them the events of the entire plan of God which will soon take place. Because humanity is so fixated upon the time which we continually occupy, when we see the word “soon,” we immediately think of next week or next year. But remember that Peter stated we were in the last days at his sermon of the Pentecost and for God a day is likened to a thousand years.11 Therefore, we cannot conclude by this one word that the events have already taken place. They are listed as future events by the text but not so distant that they should not concern us. They are momentous enough that God initially directs His Angel to announce the revelatory vision who is then quickly followed by the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to render the message and vision in person. This implies that the weight of the message is so momentous that it cannot be ignored or taken lightly. Indeed, it is the Revelation of the events surrounding the soon second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to take control of the earth. In addition, God conveys a blessing on those who read the prophecy of this book or hears that reading. There is no other text in scripture addressed in this manner. The period of the mystery of Christ’s return is now exposed along with the circumstances the nations will find themselves in and how God will judge them.

Seven Churches

Christ’s missive begins with seven churches in Asia. The Roman province of Asia was formed in 129 BC and is the present­ day location of western Turkey.12 These churches were chosen by God in the presentation due to their unique characteristics which will be explored in the next chapter. The authoritative nature of the communication is noted with the proclamation proceeding from the Father, Who is, was, and is to come, the Spirit, the seven Spirits before His throne and from Jesus Christ.13

Following the stated source as the Triune God comes the names and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ:

• The faithful and trustworthy Witness
• The Firstborn of the dead
• The Ruler of the kings of the earth
• To Him who loves us
• Freed us from our sins
• By His own blood
• Formed us into a kingdom
• Priests to His God and Father
• To Him be glory and power and majesty and dominion forever and ever14

We quickly move into a heavenly view of prophesy and look up to see Christ coming back from the heavenlies in the clouds. In the same manner that He ascended, He will return again upon the earth.15 The preceding “Behold” not only draws attention but more expressively denotes an immediateness and an unexpectedness of some great action that God will originate in the future. The tone of awe should not be missed in the passage as the magnificent Christ leads the armies of the Almighty in the clouds. This was the same vision given to Daniel the prophet who wrote, “And behold, on the clouds of heaven One like a Son of man was coming.”16 It is the same scene as Jesus recalled to the High Priest during His trial when it was demanded of Him to state if He indeed was the Son of God.

Jesus said, I am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated [with authority] at the right hand of Power (the Father) and coming with the clouds of heaven.17

The significance of clouds both to the Jews and early Christians as well as their abundant usage in scripture should not be overlooked. The clouds denoted the presence of the Lord and accompanied the Jewish nation during their trek across the desert. God’s voice came from the cloud that covered the Mount of Transfiguration pronouncing Jesus as His Son. The prophets evoke clouds in many different illustrations particularly in description of the Day of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord is described by writer David Levy as a dark and gloomy day; a time of judgment. God will directly intervene in the affairs of man after the Rapture of the church. The wicked will be judged while redeemed Israel will be saved.18 Unequivocally stated, God Almighty is coming in judgment over the entire planet; the people that pierced Him and rejected His Christ: Israel, and all other nations who also have turned away salvation. These who see Him will mourn because they know that their time draws to a close and they are guilty of their rebellion. Scripture then renders, “So shall it be,” leaving no doubt that the matter has been decided and will transpire exactly as described at God’s timing. The final statement affirms that God is the Creator and Master of time as well as eternal in nature:

• Th...

Table of contents

• The Announcement and Vision of Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ’s Letter to the Churches
• To the Church in Ephesus Write
• The Message of Christ to the Church at Smyrna
• To the Church in Pergamum Write
• To Thyatira Write
• To Sardis
• To Philadelphia
• To Laodicea Write