What is the meaning of Revelation 1:11? Write on a scroll “Write on a scroll…” (Revelation 1:11) highlights the Lord’s explicit command to record His revelation in permanent form. • The instruction ensures accuracy and preserves the vision for every generation (cf. Revelation 1:19; Jeremiah 30:2). • Scripture itself is the product of such divine directives (2 Peter 1:20-21). • Because the words are written, they are both authoritative and accessible (Deuteronomy 17:18-19). what you see John is told to write “what you see,” underscoring eyewitness testimony. • The apostle records a real vision granted in real time (Revelation 1:12; 22:8). • His role parallels other inspired witnesses (1 John 1:1-3). • The phrase assures us that Revelation communicates actual sights and events, not mere impressions or guesses. and send it The scroll is to be delivered, not kept private. • God’s word is intended for the whole body (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). • By commanding distribution, the Lord affirms that Revelation is pastoral as well as prophetic (Revelation 22:16). • Sharing the message protects against selective editing and keeps every church accountable. to the seven churches Seven specific congregations in Asia Minor receive the scroll (Revelation 1:4, 20). • The number seven often signifies completeness, suggesting the message is for the universal church while still addressing local assemblies. • These churches form a rough postal circuit, making delivery practical and ensuring all will hear in sequence. • Each church’s unique condition will be confronted in chapters 2–3. Ephesus • A bustling port and missionary hub (Acts 19). • Commended for labor yet warned for “leaving your first love” (Revelation 2:1-7). • Teaches that orthodoxy without devotion displeases Christ. Smyrna • A suffering congregation facing persecution (Revelation 2:8-11). • Encouraged: “Be faithful even to the point of death” and promised “the crown of life.” • Reminds believers that trials refine faith (James 1:12). Pergamum • Situated where “Satan’s throne is” (Revelation 2:12-17), perhaps referencing pagan temples or emperor worship. • Praised for loyalty yet rebuked for tolerating false teaching. • Calls the church to doctrinal purity amid hostile culture. Thyatira • Known for trade guilds and idolatrous feasts (Acts 16:14). • Commended for love and service, but admonished for permitting immorality (Revelation 2:18-29). • Illustrates the danger of compromise in daily commerce. Sardis • A city once famous for wealth and an impregnable acropolis. • Spiritually “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1-6). • Urges vigilance; past glory cannot substitute present obedience (Matthew 24:42). Philadelphia • Small yet faithful, with “an open door that no one can shut” (Revelation 3:7-13). • Promised protection in trial and a permanent place in God’s presence. • Encourages perseverance for all who have little strength yet keep His word. Laodicea • Prosperous banking and textile center. • Neither hot nor cold—“I am about to spit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:14-22). • Warns against lukewarm self-sufficiency; Christ invites intimate fellowship instead. summary Revelation 1:11 shows Jesus commissioning John to record an unfiltered, eyewitness account and circulate it among seven literal churches that together represent the whole church age. Each assembly receives a tailored message, yet every believer is meant to listen and respond. The verse affirms the authority of written Scripture, the necessity of sharing God’s revelation, and the Lord’s intimate concern for His people in every place and time. |
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