To the Seven Churches
Christ's Urgent Call to Repent and Be Wholly His
A Daily Thunder Series with Nathan Johnson
1: A Revelation of Jesus Christ
Key Text: Revelation 1
As we begin our series on the Letters to the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation, we need to first understand the big picture view of Revelation and what the whole book is about—a revelation of Jesus Christ. In this study, we explore the background of Revelation, why these seven churches are important, and why we must study the Bible principally.
2: Seven Churches
Key Text: Revelation 2–3
Revelation 2–3 are Jesus’ letters to seven key churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). In this study, we examine the seven letters, their structure, their similarities and differences, and what the overarching message of the seven letters are. If you want to understand any of the individual letters, we must first gain an overarching understanding of all seven.
3: The Confrontation of Comfort and Correction
Key Text: Revelation 1–3
Jesus is confronting the seven churches in Revelation 2–3 with either comfort or correction—and in doing so, provides the solution to their situation—Himself. In this study, we examine why Revelation 1 is so essential to understanding how Jesus presents Himself to the seven churches and why He alone is the solution to where they are at. The amazing truth is that the same concept is true today—Jesus wants to comfort and correct us and be the solution to our lives. The question really is, will I allow the Lord Jesus Christ to confront my life and be the solution I desperately need.
4: He Who Has an Ear
Key Text: Revelation 2–3
One of the key repeated phrases in all seven letters is “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” But what does it mean and why is it so critical for each church (and us) to hear? In this study, we examine the “pieced ear” of God’s servants and why listening to Him means we must walk in obedience to Him.
5: To Ephesus, From …
Key Text: Revelation 2:1
In Jesus’ first letter to the seven churches, He introduces Himself to the church at Ephesus. In this message, Nathan talks about the ancient city of Ephesus, how Jesus introduces Himself to the church there, and what that means practically for our lives today.
6: You Left Your First Love
Key Text: Revelation 2:2–4
In Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus, he gives a commendation—a list of “well dones”—and yet the church is lacking something significant: they left their first love. Rather than an insignificant issue, this is at the center of what the Christian life is supposed to be. In this message, Nathan examines Revelation 2:2–4 and discusses both the good and the bad of the Ephesian church, and how they relate directly to our key issue in today’s Church.
7: First Things First
Key Text: Revelation 2:4–7
After confronting the church in Ephesus about leaving their first love, Jesus gives a command to respond, repent, and return. In this message, Nathan examines Revelation 2:4–7 and Jesus’ exhortation to return to your first love and His incredible promise if you do.
8: To Smyrna, from …
Key Text: Revelation 2:8
In one of only two letters where Jesus didn’t say anything negative, the believers in Smyrna were a church facing great difficulty, suffering, and persecution. In this message, Nathan talks about the city of Smyrna, why they would have been hostile to Christianity, and discusses the two key descriptions that Jesus gives to the church of Smyrna and why those characteristics of Jesus mean so much to believers today.
9: The Suffering of Saints
Key Text: Revelation 2:9–10
The Christian life was never intended to be easy—Jesus promised trials, difficulty, suffering, and persecution. Yet it is in those very difficulties that Christians have the grace and presence of God to triumph. In this study, Nathan explores the suffering of the believers in Smyrna and gives encouragement to us when we face similar difficulties (including God’s silence in the suffering).
10: Fearlessly Faithful
Key Text: Revelation 2:10–11
After commending the Church in Smyrna, Jesus reminds them of two key truths: do not fear and be faithful. In this study, we explore these two powerful key truths found in Revelation 2:10–11 and Jesus’ promise to the overcomers that they will not see the second death if they live fearlessly faithful.
11: To Pergamum, From …
Key Text: Revelation 2:12
Jesus introduces Himself to the Church in Pergamum as the One who has a sharp two-edged sword—in so doing, He prepares them for the sharp rebuke He is about to give. In this study, Nathan examines Revelation 2:12, talks about the setting and culture of Pergamum, and why that is so significant as Jesus introduces Himself to this church in modern day Turkey.
12: I Know Your Compromise
Key Text: Revelation 2:13–15
While Jesus encourages the church in Pergamum for their faith and holding fast to Him, He gives a sharp rebuke regarding their compromise specifically in the areas of idolatry and sexual immorality. In this study, Nathan dives into Revelation 2:13–15, the doctrine of Balaam, and how we as Christians are called to be different than the world.————
13: Repent, or I'll Fight
Key Text: Revelation 2:16–17
Jesus issues a sharp rebuke to the church in Pergamum and commands them to either repent or He will come and fight them. In this study, we examine Revelation 2:16–17, Jesus’ solution to Pergamum’s problem and His warning if they do not respond.
14: To Thyatira, From …
Key Text: Revelation 2:18
While we don’t know much about the city of Thyatira and the church therein, Jesus’ gives one of the strongest statements to the seven churches. In this message, we discuss Revelation 2:18, what we know about Thyatira, and the amazing introduction of Jesus to this church—the One who has eyes like fire and feet like burnished bronze.
15: Just Like Jezebel
Key Text: Revelation 2:19–21
The name Jezebel often evokes images of evil, compromise, and sexual immorality … and strangely, Jesus uses it to describe a member at the church in Thyatira. In this study, we explore Revelation 2:19–21, and Jesus’ forceful statement that the church in Thyatira has embraced or become passive with idolatry and sexual immorality and should repent. And sadly, it is the very thing we need to hear as well.
16: Holding Fast Until the End
Key Text: Revelation 2:21–29
After confronting the church in Thyatira for their complacency and compromise, Jesus gives the church a promise of punishment if they do not repent … and then gives an encouraging word to those who do. In this message from Revelation 2:21–29, we examine Jesus’ warning to the unrepentant and His overwhelming blessing for those who are overcomers—who do not live like Jezebel.
17: To Sardis, From …
Key Text: Revelation 3:1
Sardis, an ancient city that assumed itself unconquerable—yet was surprised twice and taken over by its enemies—is the focus of Jesus’ fifth letter, of which nothing positive is stated about the church within its city. In this study, we examine the history and geography of Sardis as well as how Jesus describes Himself (as the one who has the seven stars and the seven spirits) and why that becomes so important to the church in Sardis.
18: Defibrillator Paddles
Key Text: Revelation 3:1–2
The Church in Sardis was dying and Jesus exhorted them to wake up—in short, He was offering spiritual defibrillator paddles. In this study, we explore Jesus’ statement to the church (where nothing good is said about them), but are reminded that even in the deadest, driest, and darkest places, there is always a remnant.
19: The Imperative Imperatives
Key Text: Revelation 3:3–6
To Sardis’s desperate condition, Jesus gives a series of imperatives that are … imperative if they want to live. Jesus tells the church to wake up, repent, remember, and strengthen what little life there may still be in their body before they die. And yet, amidst this call of repentance, Jesus gives an incredible encouragement to the overcomers.
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