John Russell

For me, it is interesting to do a little investigation into the background of what I am reading. I found the author of Matthew is attributed by some to Matthew the Apostle, who had been a tax collector and became one of the twelve apostles. I find this interesting because tax collectors were not known for being moral, kind individuals.

Chapter 6 begins John’s master plan; John lays out three distinct cycles -- concepts that all add up to the number 7. John will go through a series of 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls. Each cycle is a part of the overall picture of how God’s justice and kingdom will ultimately be established on the earth.

Chapter 3 gives us Christ’s word to the last three churches:

In verses 1-6, we have the message to Sardis. Sardis had been the capital city of the Greek Kingdom of Lydia prior to the Roman conquest. It was a great center for business and prosperity. It was a magnificent citadel, perched high above the area surrounding it.

After the initial vision of the glorified Jesus in Chapter 1, we move into the next section of the letter, which is the Lord’s messages to each of the 7 churches.

Now, on to Chapter 1 — the book/letter is addressed to “seven churches.” Indeed, there ARE seven churches, and anyone who has spent any time reading Revelation knows that the number seven has great significance, as it is held to be the “number of completion.” This originates with the seven days of creation, and the 7-day sabbath cycle of the Old Testament — each representing that when the 7th day is reached, the concept is complete.