Seven major churches of Early Christianity
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When asked to define the word “faith,” the majority of Christians polled at a variety of Christian events and gatherings described it a “blind leap.” But is this idea taught anywhere in the Bible? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane examines the arguments and passages that some Christians use in support of blind faith. This is Humble Skeptic episode #3 which was originally released on Nov. 22, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?This 20-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case you'd like to research things further yourself. We'll send you a link to download this PDF when you upgrade to a paid subscription or make a gift of any size. Click here for more info.SHOW NOTESRecommended ArticlesDoes Hebrews 11:1 Teach Blind Faith?, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalBe a Berean!, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & Doubt, Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalIs My Dad Mentioned in Billy Joel's “Piano Man”?, Shane RosenthalRecommended EpisodesIs Faith Irrational? Humble Skeptic #2Faith & Proof, Humble Skeptic #7Proof of the Gospel, Humble Skeptic #8Greg Koukl on Blind Faith, Humble Skeptic #18Faith Founded on Facts, Humble Skeptic #15Are The Gospels History or Fiction? Humble Skeptic #52Dealing with Doubt, Humble Skeptic #19The Pilot Episode, Humble Skeptic #1 (The Billy Joel episode)Recommended BooksFaith is Not Wishing, Greg KouklReligion on Trial, Craig PartonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonA Doubter's Guide to Jesus, John DicksonProof of The Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaLuke's Key Witness, Shane RosenthalWe Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Use the button below for more information about giving options.Books Currently For Sale in Our New & Used Bookstore Every purchase helps to support this podcast. We'll even throw in a Humble Skeptic coaster with every purchase!Redating the New Testament, John A.T. Robinson • $45From Joshua To Caiaphas: High Priests After the Exile, James C. VanderKam • $50The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting, Colin J. Hemer • $40The Deconstruction of Christianity, Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett • $24The Great De-Churching, Jim Davis & Michael Graham • $20Click one of the links above to get more info about a book or to purchase via Ebay. Click here for additional books, including a complete set of the New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT) by Eerdmans, featuring respected scholars such as F.F. Bruce, Leon Morris, Philip Hughes, Herman Ridderbos, and others.LIMITED TIME OFFER — U.S. Residents Only!$675 • The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (30 Vol. Set)This softcover set retails for over $1,500, but for a limited time we'll send you a brand new boxed set for a gift of $675 or more to help support the work of The Humble Skeptic (this donation is not tax-deductible). I frequently use this set for my own research and study. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture published by IVP promotes a vital link between the varied Christian traditions of today and our common ancient ancestors in the faith. "The initial cry of the Reformation was ad fontes--back to the sources! The Ancient Christian Commentary Series is a marvelous tool for the recovery of biblical wisdom in today's church. Not just another scholarly project, the ACCS is a major source for the renewal of preaching, theology and Christian devotion." — Timothy George"Contemporary pastors do not stand alone. We are not the first generation of preachers to wrestle with the challenges of communicating the gospel. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture puts us in conversation with our colleagues from the past, that great cloud of witnesses who preceded us in this vocation. This commentary enables us to receive their deep spiritual insights, their encouragement, and guidance for present-day interpretation and preaching of the Word." — William Willimon Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe
This week we have Leo Nicotra closing our series on the seven churches of revelation!
Revelation 2:12-17CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH | LITTLE ROCKA community transformed by grace sent to transform the world for the glory of God.WEBSITE: https://c3lr.orgFACEBOOK: facebook.com/C3.LittleRockINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/c3.littlerockSERMON PODCAST: https://c3littlerock.buzzsprout.com
This week we have Leon Nicotra continuing our series on the seven churches of revelation!
Revelation 2:1-7CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH | LITTLE ROCKA community transformed by grace sent to transform the world for the glory of God.WEBSITE: https://c3lr.orgFACEBOOK: facebook.com/C3.LittleRockINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/c3.littlerockSERMON PODCAST: https://c3littlerock.buzzsprout.com
This week we have Mark Hopper sharing on the seven churches of revelations!
Revelation 3:1-6
Revelation 2:8-11CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH | LITTLE ROCKA community transformed by grace sent to transform the world for the glory of God.WEBSITE: https://c3lr.orgFACEBOOK: facebook.com/C3.LittleRockINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/c3.littlerockSERMON PODCAST: https://c3littlerock.buzzsprout.com
Holy Spirit inspired preaching from Peninsula Revival. Recorded at the Shepparton Revival Centres Church in June 2025, Pst Bruce Jundins brings both encouragement and warning from the example of the 7 churches of Revelation. If this message resonates with you, check us out further at revivalcentres.org. If you'd like to talk to someone, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter, drop us a line at pensinsula@revivalcentres.org. God is offering you THE salvation experience - you can receive the Holy Spirit just as the disciples did on the Day of Pentecost. It is the same today as it ever was - don't settle for less!
My review of the debut album of death metal pioneers Possessed. purchase a copy herehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019K9O16/ref=dm_rwp_pur_lnd_albm_unrg
Revelation 1CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH | LITTLE ROCKA community transformed by grace sent to transform the world for the glory of God.WEBSITE: https://c3lr.orgFACEBOOK: facebook.com/C3.LittleRockINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/c3.littlerockSERMON PODCAST: https://c3littlerock.buzzsprout.com
The Seven Churches of Revelation – Warnings for Today's Church In today's episode, Steve Wood examines the prophetic relevance of the seven churches in Revelation 2–3—real first-century Catholic communities whose strengths and failures speak directly to the Church today. Learn how heresy, spiritual complacency, and compromise led to their decline—and why only two escaped Christ's rebuke. A powerful episode for Catholics seeking clarity on prophecy, Church history, and staying faithful in critical times. For more resources on biblical prophecy, visit BibleForCatholics.com.
End of Times? (Seven Churches) - Robert Green by Fondren Church
Revelation 2:12-1712 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[a] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'
In this final installment of our three-part series on the Greek god Dionysus, we journey to the influential city of Ephesus—home to the community John was writing to—to examine just how prominent Dionysus worship was in the cultural fabric of this Greek world. John's audience knew Dionysus well. From there, we head north to Pergamum—one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation—where the Temple of Dionysus stood in connection with a grand 10,000-seat theater. Each year, worshipers would gather to celebrate Dionysus, the god of wine, transformation, and resurrection. We then explore one of the most striking elements of this worship: the ritual consumption of meat and wine—the symbolic flesh and blood of Dionysus—believed to unite the participant mystically with the god. This ritual provides a powerful backdrop to Jesus' radical statement in John 6: “Eat my flesh and drink my blood.” The Gospel of John presents Jesus turning water into wine—not as a random miracle, but as a deliberate theological claim: Jesus is greater than Dionysus. He offers the true transformation—the kind that leads us back to the image in which we were created. For those seeking authentic change, John points to the one who is the visible image of the invisible God. --------------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/jesus-is-greater-than-dionysus The Roman Writer Plutarch commented that Jews Worship Dionysus: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/plutarch_on_jews_worshiping_dionysus.pdf Explore the first-century and historical context of the Seven Churches in Revelation: YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaBz_NhYH3H__qY2EuB9HmLS05Copopj&si=o9GKZkQKWjIFik72 Fig Tree Website: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/seven-churches-of-revelation1.html More Photos of Ephesus: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/ephesus-asia-minor.html More Photos of Pergamum: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/pergamon-asia-minor.html
What do the seven churches mean to us?
What do the seven churches mean to us?
Are We Lovers or Prostitutes? The Refiner's Fire & The True Bride of Christ | KIB 485 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing
Each of the seven churches suffered from something that had the power to hinder them from overcoming. As believers, we face the same things in a life-long battle for our soul, and for the church: a wrestling match with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Overcoming isn't easy, but if we focus on Christ, the giver, the one who already overcame the world, the flesh, and the works of the devil, none of these things will separate us from Him who's given us the key to overcoming, and that is by simple faith in Him. VF-2048 Revelation 2 Revelation 3 Romans 8:31-39 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D., All Rights Reserved
The Book of Revelation is mysterious, unless you know the code. The secret code is the true worship of God. Revelation is based on the liturgy of the Mass. Through all the ups and downs of life, Catholics are called to true worship. Art: The Last Judgment, Master of the Orléans Triptych French ca. 1500 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294
MSOP | May 8, 2025 | Melchizedek School of Priesthood Your Christian journey isn't about adopting spiritual oddities or peculiar behaviors. It's about authentically embodying Christ through divine revelation. You cannot become what you haven't seen, which is why revelation is essential to your spiritual growth. ## The Purpose of Revelation God uses tangible examples throughout Scripture to illustrate spiritual truths because He is deeply committed to your transformation. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ not as a distant figure, but as One manifesting within you. This revelation occurs through: - The Word of God illuminating your understanding - The Holy Spirit's direct teaching - The proper interpretation of Scripture in community Your ability to discern true revelation is critical. Many teachings sound appealing but lack the seed of Christ that produces genuine transformation. Test every spirit, for not all that claims to be from God actually is. ## The Seven Churches and You The churches in Revelation represent aspects of the church throughout history and within your own spiritual journey. Christ walks among these churches, evaluating their condition: - Are you maintaining your first love? - Do you test teachings against Scripture? - Are you patient and persevering? - Do you tolerate what is evil? - Is your faith growing or diminishing? When Christ finds areas needing improvement, it's not for condemnation but for restoration. His goal is your completion. ## Understanding the Seals The seals in Revelation aren't fearsome judgments but necessary processes that mortify your flesh and form Christ within you. The "horsemen" represent spirits sent by God to build His temple—not a physical building, but within your heart. This transformation involves: 1. Death to self-will and fleshly desires 2. Surrender to God's purposes 3. Acceptance of divine discipline 4. Perseverance through trials As each seal is broken, something within you changes. Pride, self-sufficiency, worldly attachments—all must yield to Christ's nature forming within you. ## Your Divine Assignment You have a specific purpose to fulfill before your earthly journey ends. This encompasses: - Coming into personal spiritual maturity - Executing your ministry assignment The true mark of maturity is when your love for God surpasses your fear of death. Some are appointed to martyrdom, others to continued service, but all must complete their course. No sickness, persecution, or obstacle should prevent you from fulfilling your divine assignment. ## The Path Forward Your time on earth should be maximized toward fulfilling God's agenda. Focus not on preserving physical life but on allowing Christ to be fully formed within you. The transformation process requires: 1. Regular immersion in God's Word 2. Testing every teaching against Scripture 3. Submission to the Holy Spirit's work 4. Perseverance through spiritual warfare 5. Dying to self-interests Remember, the purpose of all revelation is to transform you into Christ's image. When you truly see Him as He is, you will become like Him. This is the ultimate goal of your Christian journey—not just to know about Christ, but to embody His nature and fulfill His purposes in the earth. Facebook Cave Adullam : / caveadullam.org Ministers Rest : / ministersrest Preparing His bride : / phbfellowship #STNG : / securingthenextgeneration Instagram Cave Adullam: / caveadullam #STNG : / securingthenextgeneration
In this story, we learn that Jesus warns and encourages the church to keep following him. ✧ Check out more resources in The Biggest Story Curriculum ✧ Follow The Biggest Story on Instagram ✧ Watch The Biggest Story Animated Videos! ✧ Sign up to receive weekly emails about the new story each week!
Imagine if Jesus wrote you a letter. What would it say? One thing's for sure: He wants faith to be more than just a checkbox on your to-do list. Convicting? Definitely. In the book of Revelation, Jesus sends letters to seven ancient churches. But these letters weren’t just for them—they're for you.
Imagine if Jesus wrote you a letter. What would it say? One thing's for sure: He wants faith to be more than just a checkbox on your to-do list. Convicting? Definitely. In the book of Revelation, Jesus sends letters to seven ancient churches. But these letters weren’t just for them—they're for you.
Welcome to Sylvan Way and thanks for joining us as we worship Jesus! The Seven Churches of Revelation Where we seek to Love God, Love Others, and Live on Mission. We are a church that strives to live fully for Jesus, while sharing His story with others. To learn more: sylvanway.com Send us your prayer requests & comments: sylvanway.com/connect To partner with us through giving: sylvanway.
Send us a textIn the letter penned to the Laodiceans, as found in Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus urges the church in Laodicea to repent of their complacency. Despite their riches and wealth, they lacked true spiritual wealth. The Lord warns them of their spiritual temperature and warns them that if they do not repent, He will expel them from His mouth! The letter concludes with an encouraging invitation to turn and seek the Lord. The Lord promises that whoever looks will find Him knocking at the door, waiting to enter.We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org
Send us a textThe church in Philadelphia was found to be faithful. The Lord Jesus commends them for their endurance and because of this, they have so many promises to hold on to. As we look at this letter, we'll look at what this church did right and what promises we also can cling to if we keep our faith in Jesus.We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org
Sunday Service (3/23/25) // Revelation 2-3 // Visit our website: https://mbchicago.orgFollow us to remain connected: Facebook: / mbc.chicago Instagram: / mbc.chicago TikTok: / mbc.chicago Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & othersTo support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...DAF Donations: https://every.org/mbc.chicagoRevelation 2-3 (ESV) To the Church in Ephesus2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'To the Church in Smyrna8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'To the Church in Pergamum12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[b] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'To the Church in Thyatira18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.To the Church in Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.To the Church in Philadelphia7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.To the Church in Laodicea14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
Send us a textFor this week, we're talking about the letter written to the church in Sardis found in Revelation 3:1-6. The church in Sardis had a reputation that appeared to be good, but beneath the surface, Jesus reveals that many of them are spiritually dead and that their works lack faith. As we read this letter together, we've been able to draw some helpful applications to our own lives. We hope it blesses you! We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org
Send us a textFor this week's podcast, we'll discuss through the letter addressed to the church of Thyatira found in Revelation 2:18-29. Jesus starts the letter by praising them for certain qualities, but as we delve deeper into the text, we'll notice that Jesus rather quickly shifts the tone to warn them about the gravity of the sin that many of them have committed and warn them about the woman, Jezebel.We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org
Send us a textFor this week's podcast episode, we're continuing our series through the letters written to the seven churches at the beginning of the book of Revelation. The letter to the third church was located in an Ancient Greek city called Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17). The New King James translation refers to this church as "The Compromising Church" and you'll see as we discuss through the text that there were valid reasons for this title. Jesus warns the church as some members were adhering to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, which involve idolatry and immorality. The letter urges them to repent and promises rewards to those who overcome these issues, including the gift of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name!We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org
Sunday Service (3/2/25) // Book of Revelation Bible Study SeriesVisit our website: https://mbchicago.orgFollow us to remain connected: Facebook: / mbc.chicago Instagram: / mbc.chicago TikTok: / mbc.chicago Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & othersTo support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...Revelation 1:1-8 (ESV)Prologue1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants[a] the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.Greeting to the Seven Churches4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail[b] on account of him. Even so. Amen.8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Footnotesa. Revelation 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant later in this verseb. Revelation 1:7 Or mourn#DanielBatarseh #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #BibleStudy #versebyverse #sermon #sermons #sermononline #bookofrevelation #bookofrevelations #revelation #revelations #newtestament #scripture #verses #lessons #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #prophecy #prophetic #jesus #jesuschrist