Lord Among the Lampstands - A Study of Revelation 2 and 3

I wrote this study guide for Revelation chapters 2 and 3 when I served as one of the pastors of Beijing International Christian Fellowship. We had the privilege of serving with Christian brothers and sisters from many nations as we lived in the capital city of the world’s most populous nation. We rejoiced to consider how our Lord Jesus speaks by the Spirit through these seven letters to His Church in all our cultures and countries, “He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2.7,11,17,29,3.6,13,22).
“How does Jesus see our church?” Even more important, “How can our church be more pleasing to Jesus?” In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 Jesus teaches the seven churches in Roman Asia Minor how to live in this world. It is not an easy balance to strike – if we imitate the world, we will be ineffective in it, and if we are too isolated from it, we will be insensitive to it.
This study guide provides historical background, helps explain the meaning of the biblical text, and offers practical application for believers and churches today. Revelation means ‘to show’ or ‘to uncover.’ God must open our eyes. King David said, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Psalm 36.9).