LESSON 148: THE SEVEN CHURCHES, TRANSCRIPT Scene 1[AD1] Jesus's disciples had been hard at work spreading the Good News of Jesus. More and more people were making the decision to follow Jesus, and many new churches where these new believers could worship were being established. While the Christian faith was growing, there were still people in power who did not approve. John, one of Jesus's disciples, had been sent to the island of Patmos as punishment for preaching the Good News of Jesus. While John was in exile, Jesus spoke to him and asked him to write letters to seven specific churches describing what Jesus showed him. When John turned to see the voice speaking to him, he saw Jesus standing in the middle of seven gold lampstands, which represented these seven churches, and He held seven stars in His right hand, which represented the angels of each of the seven churches. Scene 2 The first church Jesus wanted John to write

to was in Ephesus. Jesus told John to tell the church that the letter was from the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands. Jesus told John to write, I have seen all that you have done. You have worked hard and been patient, and you do not tolerate evil people who falsely claim to speak on my behalf. All these good things you have done, but you do not love me or each other as you did when this church was first started. Continue the good work you are doing and return the love to your hearts, or I will remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Those who obey will be given fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Scene 3 Jesus then told John to write to the church in Smyrna and to tell them that the letter was from the one who is the first and the last, who was dead but is now alive.

Jesus told John to write, I know about your suffering and your poverty, but you are rich because I am with you! I have seen that there are some who call themselves Jews who oppose you, but do not be afraid! These liars will put some of you in jail for 10 days. Anyone who is put through this suffering but remains faithful, even in the face of death, will be given the crown of life. Scene 4. In the letter to the church in Pergamum, Jesus told John to tell them that the letter was from the one with the sharp two-edged sword. Jesus told John to write, You live in a city ruled by Satan, but you have stayed faithful to me, even after one of the members of your church was killed because he followed me. Despite your faithfulness, you have tolerated some members of the church to teach the ways of false gods, such as eating food that has been sacrificed to idols.

Turn away from this idolatry, or I will fight these members with the sword of the Word of God, which can defeat both sin and sinners. Those who obey me will be given manna from Heaven, a new name, and a white stone with their new name engraved on it. Scene 5 Jesus told John to tell the church in Thyatira that their letter was from the Son of God, whose eyes are like fire and whose feet are like polished bronze. Jesus told John to write, I know all the things you do, and while you have done good, I have also seen that you allowed a Jezebel-like woman to lead my people to perform sinful acts. She continues to teach my people the ways of false gods even after I gave her a chance to repent. I will punish her for her evil deeds, and this will show all the other churches that I know the thoughts and intentions of all people. Those of you who have not followed her false teachings should hold tightly to what you

have until I come. Those who obey me will be given the same authority I received from my Father over all nations. Scene 6 The letter to the church in Sardis identified Jesus as the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars. Jesus told John to write, While your church may be known for being alive in spirit, it is dead. Your actions fall short of what God expects. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even that is almost dead. Go back to what you heard and believed at first and hold firmly to it. If you don't wake up, I will come to you as unexpectedly as a thief. Those who have not sinned and those who repent of their sin will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and His angels that they are mine. Scene 7 Jesus told John to say that the letter to

the church in Philadelphia was from the one who is holy and true and has the key of David. Jesus told John to write, I have opened a door for you that no one can close. Although you are weak, you obeyed my word and did not deny me. The liars who say they are Jews but are not will be forced to bow down at your feet and acknowledge that you are the ones I love. Because you have obeyed me, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world. All who hold on to what they have until I come will become pillars in the Temple of God, and they will be eternal citizens of the new Jerusalem. Scene 8 To the church in Laodicea, Jesus had John identify Him as the sender by describing Him as the faithful and true witness and the beginning of God's new creation. Jesus told John to write, You have become indifferent to me neither hot nor cold.

I wish that you were one or the other! But because you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, I am rich, and I don't need a thing! but you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Turn from your indifference, for those who follow me are rich in faith, clothed in righteousness, and can see the truth. I stand at the door and knock. If you open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who obey me will sit with me on my throne, just as I sat with my Father on His throne. Without a good deal of background, I don't think this story will make any sense to children. There is too much symbolic detail that needs to be explained before even getting into the actual story. I know you didn't request the illustrator to create eight slide images, but I genuinely

believe that this information is necessary so that students can understand any of this.

Revelation for Kids: The Seven Churches of Revelation | Bible Story for Kids (Sharefaithkids.com)

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