There are (at least) 4 camps of interpretation for the book of Revelation.
1.

– written to first-century churches about first-century problems.
2.

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– a sketch of the history of the church from first century until the end.
3.

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– it is totally, or nearly entirely, about the future.
4.

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– has timeless images and truths about God, the church, Babylon, and God’s saving plan for this world.

Historicists view of Revelation 2-3:
Ephesus – 2:1-7 – Apostolic Church (to 100-150 AD)
Smyrna – 2:8-11 – Persecuted Church (100-312)
Pergamum – 2:12-17 – Compromised Church (312-606)
Thyatira – 2:18-29 – Worldly, Medieval Church (606-1517)
Sardis – 3:1-6 – Reformation Church (1517-1750)
Philadelphia – 3:7-13 – True Church (1750-early 20th century)
Laodecia – 3:14-22 – Lukewarm Church (1900-tribulation)

Revelation is written

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the first century and is

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every century.

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Affirmation: Revelation 2:2-3, 9-10, 13, 19; 3:8

Rebuke: Revelation 2:4, 14-15, 20-21; 3:1, 15-16

Christ affirms the church when we become a people of

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who avoid

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and endure

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.

“Meditating on God’s love has done more to increase my love than decades of effort to try be more loving. Allowing myself to deeply experience his love—taking time to soak in it and allow it to infuse me—has begun to effect changes that I had given up hope of ever experiencing. Coming back to God in my failures at love, throwing myself into his arms and asking him to remind me of how much he loves me as I am—here I begin to experience new levels of love to give to others. But again, I must come to love through the cross—come to love through sin and failure rather than success and self-improvement.” —David G. Benner, Surrender to Love, 88

Heresy goes unnoticed for 2 reasons:
1.

religions don’t always sound religious.
2. Heresy is typically masked with

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.

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Jesus ends his letter to each church in 2 ways.
1. Jesus

them.
2. Jesus

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them.

“We are conveniently deaf to sounds that challenge our pride, or command our obedience, or interrupt our fantasies, or call attention to our lapses. “Heavy ears” make it possible to pursue wrongful pleasures, indulge empty dreams, and escape onerous tasks with only minimal discomfort of conscience.” —Eugene Peterson

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