(These are notes from Bible study on January 10, 2007)

General introduction to the seven letters:
1. The angels or stars are the messengers and the lampstands are the churches.

2. The Revelation includes letters to seven churches, although scripture mentions five more churches.

3. Each church was unique with specific strengths and weaknesses.

4. Churches were challenged to make course corrections and believers were challenged to endure.

5. The letters follow the pattern of rebuke, invitation, affirmation, promise.

The Letter to Ephesus:

1. The first letter is to the church at Ephesus, a cultural center in the Roman empire.

2. The rebuke is your “you have lost your first love.”

3. The invitation is to “repent and return.”

4. The affirmation is “you hate the lifestyle of the Nicolaitans.”

5. The promise is “to him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life.”

(These are notes from the Sunday evening Bible study on January 7, 2007)

As we begin our Winter Bible Study in the Revelation, I suggest that you approach this study by doing three things:
1) Read the book in its entirety in at least two translations.
2) Think about these texts in dream language. Martin Martin reminds us that the Revelation is one of two or three books in the Bibles that calls itself a dream or a vision. Remarkable, many Christians interpret this dream book more literally than the non-dream books. “Try interpreting your dreams and you’ll see why people expound weird ideas on this book.”
3) Listen for what the Spirit is saying to us, collectively. Do not privatize the message as if it is only meant for you. Throughout the book, John urges, “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

Among all of the source materials I will reference, I will rely heavily on these works to guide my study and preparation:

The Revelation, a commentary by Dr. Mitchell Reddish, chair of Religious Studies at Stetson University.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by Dr. Ray Frank Robbins, past Professor of New Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Making Sense of the Revelation, by Dr. William Turner, retired pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and currently Professor of Homiletics at Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky.

Introductory notes:
1. The Revelation is primarily a book of worship, comfort, and encouragement. The book is intended to offer strength and challenge to Christians in seasons of trial and tribulation. To use the book simply to strike fear is outside the original purpose and is a misuse of John’s visioni.
2. The author is John, often called the Revelator. While there is speculation as to whether this could be John the Apostle or John the Elder, our purposes of study are served to refer to the author as John.
3. The date of the writing is usually considered to be near the end of Domitian’s reign, perhaps around 95 AD.
4. The location is Patmos, a small Mediterranean Island located about 37 miles from Miletus. The island served as a penal colony. It is believed that John could have been banished there during the persecution, was later pardoned, and that he remained on the island during the time of writing.
5. The occasion of the writing is the persecution of the church during the reign of Domitian. This persecution was not a purge of Christians, as much as it was a punitive era against Christians who refused to worship the emperor.
6. The literature genre is apocalyptic. Apocalypse means the “revealing” or the “unveiling.” Apocalyptic literature may include prose, poetry, drama, epistle, and doxology.
7. The theme calls for believers to be faithful and persevere. Failure to recant one’s profession of faith could lead to execution but John encourages the believers to persevere, to endure, and to immerse themselves in their future with Christ.
8. The theology type is eschatology, or future hope in light of the consummation of all things.
9. There are four primary views or interpretations:
1) Preterist- interprets all events in the Revelation as historical.
2) Historical- interprets some events as historical, some as present, and some as futuristic
3) Futuristic- interprets events in Revelation as occurring in future dispensations
4) Symbolic- understands the stories of Revelation as only having symbolic or spiritual application
10. The Revelation is the 27th and final book in the New Testament canon.

Revelation 1:1-8 The Witness

1. The Revelation is the only book that promises a blessing to those who take the time to read it. Likewise, it is the only book that threatens a curse on anyone “who adds or takes away” from this message.
2. The Revelation refers to Jesus as “the faithful witness,” “the one who is, who was, and who is to come.”
3. The opening to the letter includes a greeting (v. 4-5a) and doxology (v.7). A doxology is an interjection or acclamation of praise.

On Wednesday evening, we will begin our investigation of the letters to the seven churches.

Get your hammers ready! Give a pint of blood! Make an appointment for your portrait!

This month our First Baptist Family begins building another Habitat House. Under the capable direction of project leader Kemp Wilson, work teams of all ages will gather to frame and finish a house that will become a much needed home for a Pensacola family. Every member of our church family can play an important role by praying, by preparing food, or by working at the construction site.

Also in January you have another opportunity to donate blood. In cooperation with the Northwest Florida Blood Center, we are hosting a Winter Blood Drive on January 21. If your health history qualifies you to contribute, please consider becoming a donor. Your contribution could save a life.

We are now making February appointments for Church Pictorial Directory portraits. A Church Pictorial Directory promotes fellowship, provides resourceful information, and preserves an important segment of church history. Every participant in our First Baptist Family is encouraged to have a portrait made. The new directories should be available by Mother’s Day.

This Sunday we continue Rediscovering the Revelation as we think about “Four Creatures You Won’t See at the Zoo.”

Invite a friend to join you for worship and Bible study this week.

(This is a summary of the message from January 7, 2007.)

Like John’s experience on a Sunday on the Mediterranean isle of Patmos, worship can come alive with passion and clarity within you.

What do you think of when you think of the Revelation? The four horsemen of the apocalypse, the deceit of Jezebel, the seven bowls of wrath, the mark of the beast, the lake of fire, or the judgment seat of Christ. I hope after this month of study, when you think of the Revelation, you will think of the faithful witness, the Alpha and Omega, the vials of tears, the equitable and eternal judgment of God, and the New Jerusalem.

Written at the height of Christian persecution, the Revelation is a record of a vision by John on the isle of Patmos. Reminding us of the historical context of Revelation, Dr. Bill Turner reminds us that, “In a world of hostile misunderstandings and adverse circumstances, these believers were building their lives on something much deeper and stronger. They had found someone who could see them through the worst of life and death.”

1. When worship comes to life, you hear the voice of God.

“It was Sunday and I was in the Spirit, praying. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpet-clear and piercing.” Rev 1:10 TM

2. When worship comes to life, God speaks to the mind and the emotions.

3. When worship comes to life, the primary focus is on Jesus.

“Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
forever—and yes, he’s on his way!” Revelation 1:6 TM

Worship should not be measured on how much worship reinforces your presuppositions but how it realigns your life with the teachings and mission of Jesus.

4. When worship comes to life, our energy is channeled into the mission of the church.

When you truly begin following Jesus, you become passionate about the mission of the church. Worship doesn’t lead you to go out and privatize your Christian faith. Worship calls you to participate and cooperate with imperfect people who will disappoint you and frustrate you and bless you and lift you up, all at the same time.

As we begin a new year, would you invest yourself in the faithful gathering of this community so that worship can come alive for us?

“Then every church will know that appearances don’t impress me. I x-ray every motive…” Revelation 2:23 TM

“Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” Revelation 2:29 TM

On Sundays and Wednesdays in January we will be engaged in our Winter Bible Study, Rediscovering the Revelation.

*Begin praying for the Spirit to be our primary teacher during this month of study.
*Read the book of Revelation in its entirety in at least two translations.
*Designate a notebook to take notes from your personal study and from our study sessions.
*Invite a friend to join you for the worship services and study sessions during January.

On Sunday mornings, we will consider the following topics:

Jan 7 “When Worship Comes to Life” Revelation 1:4-20

Jan 14 “Four Creatures You Won’t See at the Zoo” Revelation 4:1-11

Jan 21 “Preparing for the Ultimate Audit” Revelations 20:7-15

Jan 28 “7th Heaven” Revelation 21:1-8, 15-28

As we begin the New Year, we are looking forward to great experiences in Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. Popular author and speaker, Tony Campolo, reminds us that “Your past is important but it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future.” Here are my Top Ten Reasons 2007 can be a great year at FBC:

1. The synchronized leadership of the Spirit among individuals in the church.
2. The fields around us are “ripe for harvest.”
3. Our growth as a multi-generational, multi-worship service, and multi-mission partner church.
4. The emerging commitment of our members.
5. The new friends and new members coming into our fellowship.
6. Upgrades to our Deacon Family Ministry.
7. Our ministers work together as a team.
8. The eventual completion and opening of the ROC.
9. Our congregational commitment to missions: prayers, partnerships, and projects.
10. The prevailing sense of harmony and cooperation within our church family.

(The following is a synopsis of the message from Sunday, December 31, 2006:)

This year, as you make selections from among all of your clothing options, be assured that God is more concerned that believers enrobe themselves with the demeanor and disposition of Christ. In our text today from Colossians 3:12-17, as Paul encourages believers to communicate with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, Paul also includes a word of instruction about a Christian’s spiritual wardrobe. As we close out the old year and prepare for the new, let’s ask ourselves how we can put the truth of this text into action.

Clean out your closet thoroughly. The end of the year is a great time to clean out your closet. It is an especially good time to clean the emotional and spiritual skeletons out of your soul’s closet. In other words, don’t let past sins keep you from future blessings.

Choose your clothing carefully. As a child I wore a black and white plaid jacket and bowtie for a family portrait. As a junior high student, I was definitely in style when I wore red, white, and blue bell bottom slacks. And when I preached my first sermons, I alternated wearing a blue leisure suit and a brown leisure suit. Now, those styles are definitely dated.

Will you dress with style this year? One fashion web site predicts the following fashion trends in 2007:

High hosiery in multiple colors, often worn in layers, will be the trend for women.
Earth tones are “in” for men and for women.
Regal purple sweaters will be a bestseller in the men’s clothing line up.
Celtic plaid from the 80’s is making a comeback, especially among teens.
Jeans will be adorned with assorted and sometimes gaudy jewelry called “denim candy.”

Your faith should definitely influence your choice of clothing. Generally, followers of Christ should dress modestly and practice good hygiene. In Colossian, however, Paul reminds believers of a more important dress code:

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14 TM.

Wear your faith and values consistently. Be your redeemed self 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Internalize the teachings of Jesus so that you can externalize the spirit and disposition of Jesus.

During the coming year, it is possible that others may get to know Christ by first getting to know you.