3Circle Church
John was one of the twelve disciples and one of the inner three.
Isle of Patmos = Roman imprisonment location
God often teaches us the greatest lessons during the hardest times.
Revelation 1:9 ESV
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
God uniquely reveals Himself in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:10–11 ESV
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
“In the spirit” = not a dream
The Lord’s day = Sunday
Jesus shows up mightily in our darkest moments.
Alpha and omega = 1st and last letters of the Greek alphabet
Colossians 1:16 ESV
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
7 = number of completion
Revelation 1:12-13 ESV
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Lampstands = Churches
Churches are supposed to be light in a dark world.
The local church is a priority to Jesus.
Revelation 1:13 ESV
[…] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Jesus is our High Priest.
Hebrews 4:15 ESV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Revelation 1:14 ESV
The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire […].
Jesus is ageless.
Jesus knows everything.
Revelation 1:15 ESV
[…] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
Jesus is the final judge.
Revelation 1:16 ESV
In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Seven stars = leaders in the churches
Jesus speaks truth.
Revelation 22:5 ESV
And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 1:17 ESV
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last […].
Revelation 1:17-20 ESV
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
When it gets dark, look for Jesus.
We should be fearless because of who Jesus is.
Fear robs us of joy, creates anxiety, leads to paralysis, and displays a lack of trust.