Preface

    So many books, so little time! So, why should you read this book? Transformers has been written for you if:

    You’re convinced local churches exist for a purpose, with a mission, namely to be salt and light and leaven in the midst of their communities.

    You would like to explore the dynamics involved in local churches bringing transformation to their neighborhoods and cities.

    You are a pastor or a member of a pastoral team with a desire to see your congregation fulfill its purpose in your city.

    You are a church planter (or potential church planter) and you would like to consider the implications of planting a kingdom congregation in a community.

    You are a student of Scripture and you love exploring the meaning and application of Bible passages, including the book of Revelation.

    I bring my own story and concerns to bear on this project. I’ve written this book because:

    I participated in planting a local church in 1972, and continue to be vitally interested in the purpose for and process of church planting.

    I have taught in a Bible College for the last 18 years and am passionate about raising up a new generation of pastors and church planters and lay leaders of all kinds.

    I’m absolutely convinced that Jesus is building his church in our time and place, and am excited about the possibility of us making a significant contribution in our time and place.

    Now that you’re reading this, let me set the stage for you.

The Plan of the Book

    The first chapter serves as an overall introduction to the whole book. In it I explain the premise of the book, i.e. how local congregations can be agents of redemption and transformation in their cities. This is followed by an introduction to the book of Revelation, a description of the first few verses of Revelation chapter one, and the story of the seven churches of Asia. Because all of this must be related to our own situations, I also introduce the context of the twenty-first century church and the need for communities of faith serving as agents of transformation.

    The story of the church—of the ancient churches in the province of Asia or of any church—is not possible without understanding the centrality of the Risen Christ. Chapter two explores the foundational vision of Christ in Revelation chapter one, its significance to the letters to the seven churches of Asia, and its significance to the church today.

    Chapters three through eight follow the stories of the seven churches of Asia, drawing out certain keys to overcoming in every context. In each chapter I also tell the story of a contemporary local congregation serving their communities and being redemptive change agents as a result. Chapter ten concludes with an examination of the need to have “ears to hear.”

I’ve also included two Appendices so I can explore three reoccurring themes in Revelation 1-3: (1), principles used in interpreting the book of Revelation, and (2) the phenomenon of Christian “Gnosticism” in the first century—and the twenty-first century.

    Much of this book involves biblical studies, a treatment of Revelation 1-3. In these sections I attempt to “rightfully divide” the Scripture passages. However, academic writing was not my goal, so I have attempted to treat those passages and issues in a relevant, applicable way, expounding on keys to being overcomers and transformers.

Important Resources

    Being a teacher of both church history and the book of Revelation, my shelves are filled with valuable resources. However, certain ones are referred to often in this book:

    The Letters to the Seven Churches by Sir William Ramsay is considered the classic work describing the historical and cultural background of Revelation 2 & 3. Most of his conclusions made in 1904 are still considered valid by contemporary historians.

    Colin Hemer updated Ramsay’s work with The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia In Their Local Setting. Additional archeological findings enabled Hemer to add valuable insights to Ramsay.

    A First Century Message to Twentieth Century Christians by G. Campbell Morgan is one of the best series of sermons based on Revelation 2 & 3. Morgan was not only an excellent Bible expositor, he was also a disciplined Bible scholar.

    Henry Barclay Swete’s commentary on the Greek text of the book of Revelation, The Apocalypse of St. John, is still an excellent source of textual comments and exegesis.

    For my money, one of the best contemporary single-volume commentaries on the book of Revelation is Revelation by Grant R. Osborne. This work is a readable but scholarly introduction, including both background information and interpretation.

    E Quake by Jack Hayford provides a devotional approach to the message of the book of Revelation. Dr. Hayford makes the case for the worship of the Risen Christ being the central theme of Revelation. I also found excellent observations and insights in The Jesus Letters by David Ravenhill.

    My prayer is that this work will make a positive contribution to a new emerging missional vision for the church, and that those who read it will have a new hope and vision to make a redemptive difference in the world in and through the church of Jesus Christ.