Revelation 2-3 (The Sermons to the Seven Churches)

Dr. Jeffrey Weima (Calvin Theological Seminary) guides us through Revelation 2-3. We discuss:

* The significance of the form of the addresses to the seven churches as sermons rather than letters

* Why John writes to these seven churches, and the significance of their arrangement

* What it means that the church in Ephesus "abandoned the love you had at first" (2:4)

* Who are the Nicolaitans and what did they do and teach? (2:6, 15)

* The meaning of the phrase "the synagogue of Satan" (2:9; 3:9) and how to handle this phrase in light of the history of anti-Judaism and anti-semitism

* The meaning of the "hidden manna" and the difficulty of making sense of "the white stone" with the name on it (2:17)

* The significance of Jezebel (3:17) and the nature of the punishment that she receives: "I am throwing her on a bed" (3:22)

* The significance of "the key of David" (3:7)

* The significance of the church of Laodicea being likened to lukewarm water (3:15–16)

Works by Jeff Weima

* The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation: A Commentary & Guide. Baker Academic, 2021

* Paul the Ancient Letter Writer: A Introduction to Epistolary Analysis. Baker Academic, 2016

* Neglected Endings: The Significance of the Pauline Letter Closings. Sheffield, 1994

This Week’s Blurb

Jeff Weima recommends: 

* Taking a Biblical Study Tour to Turkey with Jeff Weima.

* For more information, visit his website www.jeffreyweima.com

Next Episode 

In our next episode, Dr. Daniel Carroll (Rodas) (Wheaton College) guides us through the book of Amos.

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