Journey Through Revelationഉദാഹരണം

Letters of Revelation: Behind the Text

iMap: The Seven Churches of Revelation

Explore those seven churches to see what cultural background might be in mind with the words of Jesus to each one.

Ephesus: Holiness in a Place of Pagan Worship

Smyrna: Roma

Roma, the goddess of Rome, with a naked prisoner. In 300 BC Smyrna was the first city in Asia Minor to erect a statue to Roma in support of the Roman Empire.

Smyrna: Tiberias Coin

Smyrna had a temple to Tiberius, pictured on this coin. Smyrna joined many Asian cities in the imperial cult, but the church remained courageously faithful.

Pergamum: The “Seat of Satan”

Thyatira

Thyatira, known for its trade guilds and temple feasts, is commended for the church’s good works, but reprimanded for their prophetess “Jezebel.”

Sardis: Reputation for Being Alive, But Dead

Philadelphia, Arch of Severus

Like Smyrna, Philadelphia has no criticism from Christ. Their challenge was living as a pillar in God’s temple in a city with a “synagogue of Satan.”

Laodicea: Neither Hot Nor Cold