This week we start a 7- part series on Revelation.John, banished to the Island of Patmos for preaching about Jesus, had revealed to him, by Jesus, God’s view of what must soon take place on earth and in heaven. The Jews referred to the present time where they were under Roman rule and had lost hope that mankind could change their fate.  Only God could intervene to establish His Kingdom. In a series of visions John is shown the apocalyptic destruction of the present age giving way to the new world where the Jews would return to Jerusalem and peace would reign. In the end God defeats the forces of evil and thereby restores our hope that we can dwell with Him for eternity.Given such a great news story of hope, why do people shy away from Revelation? It is often because the visions and symbols and code seem bizarre and frightening, and they can be difficult to interpret. However, it was quite common in the Old Testament to use visions of strange creatures such as are found in Daniel and the Jews would have been familiar with the multiple references to the Old Testament. Also, writing in code can be necessary if you are under the rule of tyrants.  One example is the use of the number 7 which appears 55 times. Seven stands for something which is complete or perfect. For example, if you have read the 7 scrolls you have read everything from beginning to end. John speaks of the 7-fold Spirit which is the one complete Spirit through which we connect with God and Jesus.What we will concentrate upon this week is the letters to the 7 churches. Again, 7 signifies that the letters are for all churches both then and today. John passes on to them praise and criticism but also shows what they need to do to get back on track. Two churches received no criticisms because they were keeping God’s Word despite attacks from society around them and from false prophets. Others were criticised for losing their love for each other or were compromising their values to fit with society or had become lukewarm or even lifeless in their worship.Each letter ends with “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” This means our church and us as individuals. Ian Olver