Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation: Video Guide 2

Below are four video guides through the cities and the letters of the Seven Churches in Revelation.  At the start of the book of Revelation we read seven letters written to seven churches in Asia minor.  This video guide is a good background supplement to understanding the context of these letter.  They are part of a series from Day of Discovery

Video guide through the city of Thyatira and Philadelphia

Video guide through the city of Sardis

Video guide to city of Laodicea 

*It is important for us to recognize current tensions between Christianity, Islam and Judaism since the 911 terrorist attacks in New York City.  In these letters of Revelation, there are often reference to the Jewish synagogue and Jewish practices that reflect the tension that existed between early follower of Jesus and the religious elite in the first and second century.  It is important for us to recognize the social context in which early Christians were often persecuted by both religious authorities and Roman civil authorities.  Persecution of religion minorities is a common occurrence in human history.  Christians once in power and in the majority have done the same evil in the name of Jesus.  The Holocaust is just one terrible example.  This kind of hate unfortunately happens between all religious groups too often.  

Religion often breeds intolerance, hate and exclusivity.  As Christians, we can be tolerant and supportive of other religions in our society, while still being witness to the grace of God found in Jesus Christ.  We should remember the admonition of Paul when he wrote, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Col 4:6). True religion will never lead to hate, destruction, and evil.  Always be aware of the fanaticism that exists in religion, but is also the warning signs of false religion.  It is this false religion across all religious groups that we need to resist.