VII (Seven) is a series focusing on the first three chapters of Revelation, covering seven letters written to seven churches—direct messages from God to real first-century churches dealing with real issues. We’ll discover what these letters meant to them then and how we can apply them to ourselves today.
In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally takes us through Revelation chapter one, which sets the scene for the words spoken to the seven churches.
Revelation 1:1–2 (NLT)
Revelation is from Jesus as the source and about Jesus as the subject.
Verse 3
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and all who listen and obey, for the time is near.
It’s the only book in Scripture promising blessing for reading, hearing, and obeying. God doesn’t bless us for reading Revelation; He blesses us for responding to it.
Verses 4–5
The seven churches were in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), forming a strategic loop along a Roman postal road. These letters weren’t random ideas; they were God’s deliberate inspection of His churches, one by one.
Verse 7-8
The first time Jesus appeared quietly. The second time, no one will miss it.
Alpha and Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus is saying, “I am A to Z. Everything starts with Me, ends with Me, and holds together because of Me.”
When everything else is shifting, Jesus stands unshaken.
Verse 9–11
John writes from exile on Patmos, a Roman work camp. The Lord’s Day is Sunday.
Verses 12–16
“The Son of Man” is the Old Testament prophetic title for the Messiah found in Daniel. Revelation teaches theological truth through visual metaphor—this is prophecy, not photography. The sharp two-edged sword represents the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).
Verses 17–20
Death is no longer a prison but a passageway. Jesus holds the keys; death can’t keep anyone who belongs to Him.
Revelation addresses what is happening now and what will happen. It’s not about predicting the end as much as preparing the church. When Jesus writes to the “angel” of a church, He addresses its pastor—the one responsible for carrying and correcting the message. Jesus walks among His people and works through their leaders.
When we read Revelation, we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sends seven “performance reviews” to seven real churches.
How to Read Someone Else’s Mail
- Understand what it meant to them.
Revelation wasn’t written to us, but it was written for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). The Bible can’t mean now what it didn’t mean then. - Look for timeless truth.
God’s truth is eternal (Psalm 119:89). If God’s Word is timeless, our obedience can’t be seasonal or occasional. - Respond to what Jesus reveals.
Revelation blesses those who act on what they hear (James 1:22). Truth ignored becomes trouble guaranteed.
Are you ready to heed the warnings from the Lord?