To the Seven Churches

Christ's Urgent Call to Repent and Be Wholly His

A Daily Thunder Series with Nathan Johnson

Jesus is returning soon. And as that day draws near, we must take His final words seriously.

In Revelation 2–3, Jesus dictated letters to seven churches in Asia Minor — and two thousand years later, His voice has not faded, and His call has not changed.

Beginning with the staggering vision of the risen Christ in Revelation 1, which frames every letter that follows, this 24-part series walks slowly through Revelation 2–3, digging into the geography, the cultural pressures, and the unique circumstances of each first-century church — Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea — to discover that what Jesus said to them then is still His word to His global Church now.

These are not seven gentle letters from a distant Lord. They are the urgent voice of the One who walks among the lampstands, who holds the seven stars, who knows our works, and who calls us to repent, to overcome, and to be wholly His before He returns.

If you sense the weight of the hour, if you long to hear Christ’s voice clearly, if something in you knows that the Church must be roused from its sleepy stupor and that our hearts must be set aflame — this series is for you.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.

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.