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Question

What is the seven-element template that structures each letter to the seven churches (address, self-identification, commendation, rebuke, exhortation, promise, ear formula)? Document the template elements in each letter. What does the ear/overcomer reversal between the first three and last four letters reveal — in letters 1-3 the ear formula comes before the overcomer promise; in letters 4-7 the overcomer promise comes before the ear formula? What does this 3+4 structural division signify? Does it correspond to any other 3+4 or 4+3 patterns in Revelation?

EAR — FIGURATIVE

  • Psa 17:6
  • Psa 39:12
  • Psa 77:1
  • Psa 80:1
  • Psa 84:8

Blood put upon, in consecration of priest EXO 29:20; LEV 8:23. In cleansing lepers LEV 14:14,25. Anointed with oil in purifications LEV 14:17,28. Bored as a sign of servitude EXO 21:5,6; PSA 40:6. FIGURATIVE: Anthropomorphic uses of PSA 17:6; 39:12; 77:1; 80:1; 84:8. For more extended anthropomorphic uses, consult a concordance.

PERSEVERANCE — GENERAL

  • 1Ch 16:11
  • Job 17:9
  • Psa 37:24
  • Psa 37:28
  • Psa 73:24
  • Psa 138:8
  • Pro 4:18
  • Jer 32:40
  • Hos 12:6
  • Mat 10:22
  • Mat 24:13
  • Mrk 4:3-8
  • Mrk 13:13
  • Luk 10:42
  • Luk 22:31-32
  • Jhn 6:37
  • Jhn 6:39-40
  • Jhn 8:31-32
  • Jhn 10:28-29
  • Jhn 15:4-5
  • Jhn 15:7
  • Jhn 15:9
  • Act 11:23
  • Act 13:43
  • Act 14:21-22
  • Rom 2:6-7
  • Rom 8:30
  • Rom 8:33-35
  • Rom 8:37-39
  • Rom 11:29
  • 1Co 1:8-9
  • 1Co 15:1-2
  • 1Co 15:58
  • 1Co 16:13
  • 2Co 1:21-22
  • Gal 5:1
  • Gal 5:10
  • Gal 6:9
  • Eph 4:14
  • Eph 6:13
  • Eph 6:18
  • Php 1:6
  • Php 1:27
  • Php 3:16
  • Php 4:1
  • Col 1:10
  • Col 1:22-23
  • Col 2:7
  • Rev 2:7
  • Rev 2:10-11
  • Rev 2:17
  • Rev 2:25-28
  • Rev 3:5
  • Rev 3:11-12
  • Rev 3:21
  • Rev 14:12
  • Rev 16:15
  • Rev 21:7-8
  • Rev 22:11

General scriptures concerning 1CH 16:11; JOB 17:9; PSA 37:24,28; 73:24; 138:8; PRO 4:18; JER 32:40; HOS 12:6; MAT 10:22; 24:13; MRK 4:3-8; 13:13; LUK 10:42; 22:31,32; JHN 6:37,39,40; 8:31,32; 10:28,29; 15:4,5,7,9; ACT 11:23; 13:43; 14:21,22; ROM 2:6,7; 8:30,33-35,37-39; 11:29; 1CO 1:8,9; 15:1,2,58; 16:13; 2CO 1:21,22; 5:9,15; GAL 5:1,10; 6:9; EPH 4:14; 6:13,18; PHP 1:6,27; 3:16; 4:1; COL 1:10,22,23; 2:7; 1TH 3:8,13; 5:21; 2TH 2:15-17; 3:13; 2TI 1:12,13; 2:1,3,12; 3:14; 4:18; TIT 1:9; HEB 2:1; 3:5,6,14; 4:14; 6:1,11,12,15,17,18; 10:23,35,36; 12:1-15; 13:9,13; JAS 1:4,12,25; 5:10,11; 1PE 1:4-7; 5:8; 2PE 1:10,11; 3:17,18; 1JN 2:19,27; REV 2:7,10,11,17,25-28; 3:5,11,12,21; 14:12; 16:15; 21:7,8; 22:11. INSTANCES OF: Jacob, in prayer GEN 32:24-26. Caleb and Joshua, in representing the land of promise NUM 14:24,38.

SEVEN — MISCELLANY — SYMBOLICAL

  • Gen 2:3
  • Exo 20:11
  • Gen 7:2
  • Gen 41:2-7
  • Jos 6:4
  • 1Ki 18:43
  • 2Ki 5:10
  • Psa 12:6
  • Isa 30:26
  • Dan 3:19
  • Rev 1:4
  • Rev 1:12
  • Rev 1:16
  • Rev 1:20
  • Rev 2:1
  • Rev 3:1
  • Rev 4:5
  • Rev 5:1
  • Rev 5:5-6
  • Rev 8:2

Interesting facts concerning this number. DAYS: Week consists of GEN 2:3; EXO 20:11; DEU 5:13,14. MISCELLANY OF SEVENS: Of the ceremonially clean creatures taken into Noah's ark GEN 7:2. Seven cows and seven ears of grain in Pharaoh's vision GEN 41:2-7. The Israelites surrounded Jericho seven times, and on the seventh day sounding seven trumpets JOS 6:4. Silver was purified seven times PSA 12:6. SYMBOLICAL: Seven churches REV 1:4,11,20. Seven candlesticks REV 1:12-13,20; 2:1. Seven stars REV 1:16,20; 2:1; 3:1. Seven Spirits REV 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6. Seven seals REV 5:1; 6:1. Seven trumpets REV 8:2. Seven bowls/vials REV 15:7; 16:1. Seven letters REV 2:1-3:22.

CANDLESTICK — SYMBOLICAL

  • Zec 4:2
  • Zec 4:11
  • Rev 1:12
  • Rev 1:13
  • Rev 1:20
  • Rev 2:5
  • Rev 11:4

OF THE TABERNACLE: Made after divine pattern EXO 25:31-40; 37:17-24; NUM 8:4. Place of EXO 26:35; 40:24,25; HEB 9:2. OF THE TEMPLE: Ten branches of 1KI 7:49,50. Of gold 1CH 28:15; 2CH 4:20. SYMBOLICAL ZEC 4:2,11; REV 1:12,13,20; 2:5; 11:4.

TREE — OF LIFE

  • Gen 2:9
  • Gen 3:22
  • Gen 3:24
  • Rev 22:14

Of life GEN 2:9; 3:22,24; REV 22:14. Of knowledge GEN 2:9,17; 3:3-6,11,12,17. FIGURATIVE PSA 1:3; JER 17:8. SYMBOLICAL DAN 4:10-12.

PARADISE — GENERAL

  • Luk 23:43
  • 2Co 12:4
  • Rev 2:7

The place of glorified spirits LUK 23:43; 2CO 12:4; REV 2:7. See EDEN.

SECOND DEATH — GENERAL

  • Rev 20:14

General scriptures concerning REV 20:14. See WICKED, PUNISHMENT OF.

SYNAGOGUE — GENERAL

  • Act 13:43
  • Jas 2:2
  • Mat 4:23
  • Mat 10:17
  • Mat 23:34
  • Jhn 9:22
  • Jhn 12:42
  • Jhn 16:2
  • Act 6:9
  • Act 9:2
  • Act 9:20
  • Act 14:1
  • Act 17:1
  • Act 17:10
  • Act 18:4
  • Rev 2:9

  • Rev 3:9

  • Primarily an assembly of Jews and God-fearers ACT 13:43. Constitutes a court of justice LUK 12:11; ACT 9:2. Had powers of criminal courts MAT 10:17; 23:34; ACT 22:19; 26:11. Of religious courts JHN 9:22,34; 12:42; 16:2. 2. A physical place of assembly for Jews and other God-fearers. The Scriptures were read and expounded in NEH 8:1-8; MAT 4:23; MRK 1:39; LUK 4:15-33; ACT 9:20; 13:5-44; 14:1; 17:2,10; 18:4,19,26. Of Satan REV 2:9; 3:9.

REPENTANCE — UNCLASSIFIED

  • Mat 3:2
  • Mat 4:17
  • Mrk 1:15
  • Act 2:38
  • Act 17:30
  • Rev 2:5
  • Rev 3:2-3
  • Rev 3:19
  • Rev 9:20-21
  • Rev 16:9
  • Rev 16:11

A complete reversal of one's attitude and values, i.e. a turning toward God. The burden of the preaching of John the Baptist MAT 3; of Jesus MAT 4:17; MRK 1:15. UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES including REV 2:5; 3:2,3,19. Instances of hardened refusal: REV 9:20,21; 16:9,11.

REWARD — MOTIVE TO FAITHFULNESS

  • Exo 20:6
  • Isa 40:10-11
  • Mat 10:32
  • Mat 16:24-27
  • Mat 25:34-46
  • Luk 6:22-23
  • Luk 6:35
  • Heb 10:34-36
  • Rev 2:10
  • Rev 2:17
  • Rev 2:25-28
  • Rev 7:14-17
  • Rev 22:12

A MOTIVE TO FAITHFULNESS EXO 20:6,12; LEV 25:18,19; DEU 4:40; ISA 1:16-20; 3:10; 40:10,11; MAT 10:32; 16:24-27; 20:1-16; 25:34-46; MRK 10:21; 13:13; LUK 6:22,23,35; 12:8; ACT 26:18; ROM 2:10; 1CO 3:8; HEB 10:34,36; 11:26; 12:1,2,28; 1PE 3:9-12; 2PE 1:10,11; REV 2:10,17,25-28; 7:14-17; 22:12.

CROWN — OF VICTORY

  • 1Co 9:25
  • 2Ti 4:8
  • Jas 1:12
  • 1Pe 5:4
  • Rev 2:10
  • Rev 3:11
  • Rev 4:4
  • Rev 4:10

FIGURATIVE ISA 28:5; 1CO 9:25; 2TI 4:8; JAS 1:12; 1PE 5:4; REV 2:10; 3:11. SYMBOLICAL REV 4:4,10; 6:2; 9:7; 12:1,3; 13:1; 14:14; 19:12.

CHURCH — GENERAL

  • Mat 16:18
  • Mat 18:17
  • Act 2:47
  • Act 20:28
  • 1Co 11:18
  • 1Co 14:19
  • Eph 1:22-23
  • Col 1:24
  • Rev 1:4
  • Rev 1:11
  • Rev 1:20
  • Rev 2:1
  • Rev 2:7
  • Rev 2:23
  • Rev 22:16

Hebrew: qahal, edah; Greek: ekklesia. The people of God; the collective body of believers. Called COURTS PSA 65:4; HOUSE OF GOD GEN 28:17; 1TI 3:15; HOUSE OF PRAYER ISA 56:7; TEMPLE 1SA 1:9; ISA 6:1; ZION PSA 9:11; 132:13. Called THE CONGREGATION in the O.T. EXO 12:3; Called CHURCH in the N.T. MAT 16:18; 18:17; ACT 2:47. BODY OF CHRIST EPH 1:22,23; COL 1:24. BRIDE OF CHRIST REV 21:9.

THRONE — GENERAL

  • 1Ki 22:19
  • Psa 9:4
  • Psa 11:4
  • Psa 45:6
  • Psa 103:19
  • Isa 6:1
  • Dan 7:9
  • Rev 3:21
  • Rev 4:2-4
  • Rev 20:4
  • Rev 20:11-12
  • Rev 22:3

General scriptures concerning thrones of God and judgment. Rev 3:21 — overcomer promised to sit on Christ's throne. Rev 4:2-4 — throne room vision. Rev 20:4 — thrones of judgment. Rev 20:11-12 — great white throne. Rev 22:3 — throne of God and of the Lamb.