Beginning of the book of Revelation

3 Seven Churches

Man with light around his head and a sword above surrounded by names of seven churches

Painting by G. Roland Smith

Read Revelation 2 and 3 here

3 Seven Churches

Having seen that our God is loving, wise and compassionate, we can now be shown the true nature of our inner character.  The apostle John is told to write down what he sees and send it to the seven churches.  These show a range of good and bad ways in which different people interpret and live out their Christian beliefs.  All but Philadelphia and Laodicea describe a mixture of both admirable and self-centred behaviour.  We are commended where there is faithfulness and steadfastness, admonished where we fall short.  We are strongly advised to examine ourselves and change our ways.

The Lord’s purpose in leading us this way is so that the tension caused by conflict between good and evil within us can be resolved by the removal of evil.  This leaves us in a state of peace and joy.

“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

(chapter 1 verse 11)

Visit the YouTube channel here

Purple arrow pointing to the left
Previous painting
Purple arrow pointing upwards
Back to The Paintings List
Purple arrow pointing to the right
Next painting