04 what the spirit says to the churches (part 2) slideshow

The Book of Revelation 03/25/2007

Lesson 4 1

Lesson 4

What the Spirit Says to the Churches

(Part 2)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation

By Dale Wells

Text: Rev 1.9-3.22

SARDIS

Rev 3:1-6 WEB

"And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things:"I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won't watch, I will come as a thief, and you won't know whathour I will come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.


Lesson 4 2

Sardis - the modern Bin Tepe - was

about thirty miles south of Thyatira

It was the capital of Lydia,

whose last ruler was Croesus.

� “As rich as Croesus” comes

from the wealth of the king who

reigned from 560 to 546 BC.

Cyrus the Great of Persia,

invaded Lydia

� Croesus consulted the oracle of

Delphi.

� The oracle said: "If Croesus

goes to war he will destroy a

great empire."

� So Croesus went to war with

Cyrus and was defeated – he

destroyed his own great

empire.

Sardis was in very early times an

important commercial city

Pliny says that the art of dyeing wool was invented there, and it was known for manufacture of dyed woolen products, carpets, etc.

It was also the place where the metal electrum was procured.

� Gold was found in the bed of the Pactolus River.

� Silver and gold coins are said to have been first minted there.

The worship of the goddess Cybele was celebrated there, and the massive ruins of her temple are still visible.

Sardis sat 1500 feet up on a ledge

jutting out of the side of a mountain

It was considered

impregnable because of its

nearly vertical rock walls.

Even so, it was captured

twice, by stealth.

Herodotus tells of Cyrus

taking the city in 549 BC.

� A Persian soldier observed

a Sardian descending the

southern winding path to

retrieve his fallen helmet.

� The Persians followed his

path back up to the summit

and took the city by

surprise.


Lesson 4 3

From the Persians it passed into the

hands of Alexander the Great

For the next three hundred years, its history is obscure.

In 214 BC it was taken by Antiochus III after a siege of two years.

� After reading Herodotus' account, Antiochus' army invaded the city in the same way the Persians had.

In the reign of Tiberius it was among a dozen cities destroyed by an earthquake. The calamity was increased by pestilence.

Sardis boasted a necropolis ("city of

the dead") that was visible for 7 miles

The name of Sardis had

become synonymous with

unjustified pretensions and

unfulfilled promises.

Almost a century ago, a ship

was launched with the

promise that it was

unsinkable. The Titanic, has

been sitting at the bottom of

the ocean ever since.

Sardis, like the Titanic, never

lived up to its promises.

The Messenger

Rev 3:1b WEB He who has

the seven Spirits of God, and

the seven stars says these

things...


Lesson 4 4

The "Seven Spirits of God" refers to

the Holy Spirit

Rev 1:4-5a WEB 0 Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

It puts the Holy Spirit on a par with God and Christ.

� Rev 4:5 WEB 0 There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

� Rev 5:6 WEB I saw 0 a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

The 7 stars have been identified as

messengers of the 7 churches

Rev 1:16 WEB He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Rev 1:20 WEB [T]he mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

The Message

Rev 3:1c-4 WEB "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won't watch, I will come as a thief, and you won't know what hour I will come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.


Lesson 4 5

The church, like the city, appears to

be resting on its reputation

They appear to be alive, but Jesus says they are just as dead as the corpses inhabiting their world-famous necropolis.

It's like looking at well-dressed bodies at the funeral parlor - they may look natural, but they're dead!

Jesus assures them that "I know your works", but the problem is that "I have found no works of yours perfected before my God."

If the church doesn't wake up, Jesus

will execute his own sneak attack

The church is in trouble, but some Christians are living up to their calling. Jesus says they are "worthy". They "did not defile their garments," so "they will walk with me in white".

The Sardians could not miss the contrast between "defiled" and "white" garments. The heart of their economy was the dyeing trade. They took white cloth and stained it with colors.

Jesus promises that those who had not stained their garments "will walk with me in white".

The Promise

Rev 3:5-6 WEB He who

overcomes will be arrayed in

white garments, and I will in

no way blot his name out of

the book of life, and I will

confess his name before my

Father, and before his

angels. He who has an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit

says to the assemblies.


Lesson 4 6

The promise is threefold

First, there is the promise of

white garments for the

overcomer. The Sardians would

understand this promise, given

their commercial dyeing trade.

Second, there is the promise

that the overcomer's name will

be indelibly printed in the book

of life.

Third, there is the promise that

Jesus will acknowledge the

overcomer before God.

In Revelation, everyone worships the

beast, except for those in the Book of Life

Rev 13:8 WEB All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written 0 in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.

Rev 17:8 WEB The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those 0 whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present.

In Judgment, the key question is:

Was one's name in the Book of Life?

Rev 20:11-15 WEB I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. 0 I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 0 They were judged, each one according to his works. 0 If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.


Lesson 4 7

The New Jerusalem is home to those

with names in the Book of Life

Rev 21:27 WEB There will in

no way enter into it anything

profane, or one who causes

an abomination or a lie, but

only those who are written in

the Lamb's book of life.

I want my name there! Don't

you?

PHILADELPHIA

Rev 3:7-13 WEB

"To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: "I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name. Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.


Lesson 4 8

Philadelphia - modern Alasehir ("City

of Allah") - was 28 miles SE of Sardis

It was in the Hermus River valley on the main highway that connected Smyrna to northwest Asia, Phrygia, and the east.

It was also on the imperial post road from Rome via Troas, Adramyttium, Pergamum, and Sardis, on the way to the east.

The region was a wine-growing district, and its coins bore the head of Bacchus (also known as Dionysos), the god of drink.

The population included Jews, Jewish Christians, and converts from heathenism.

The region was earthquake prone

In 17 AD an earthquake

destroyed Philadelphia.

Tiberius paid to have the city

rebuilt.

As a result, the city of

Philadelphia ultimately

became dependent on

government aid to exist.

Jesus doesn’t have a single word of

condemnation for the church

They are being persecuted.

The chief opposition to the

church comes from the

Jews.

But they are assured that

God protects them and that

they will ultimately be

crowned.

All they’ve got to do is hang

on.


Lesson 4 9

The Messenger

Rev 3:7b WEB He who is

holy, he who is true, he who

has the key of David, he who

opens and no one can shut,

and who shuts and no one

opens, says these things:

There are four aspects to the self-

designation in this letter

"He who is holy, he who is true" are elsewhere used of God

� Rev 4:8 WEB The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"

� Rev 6:10 WEB They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

Jesus is called "the Holy One" elsewhere.

� Mar 1:23-24 WEB Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, "Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!"

� Joh 6:67-69 NIV "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shallwe go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

"The True One" is a recognized title

of the Messiah in Revelation

Rev 3:14 WEB "To the angel

of the assembly in Laodicea

write: "The Amen, the

Faithful and True Witness,

the Head of God's creation,

says these things:

Rev 19:11 WEB I saw the

heaven opened, and behold,

a white horse, and he who

sat on it is called Faithful and

True. In righteousness he

judges and makes war.


Lesson 4 10

The figure of the "key of David"

comes from the Prophet Isaiah

Isa 22:20-22 WEB It shall happen in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah 0 The key of the house of David will I lay on his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

What Jesus does, no man can undo.

� This is similar to what is said about God elsewhere.

� Job 12:14 WEB Behold, he breaks down, and it can't be built again; He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.

The Message

Rev 3:8-11 WEB "I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name. Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

We will see the metaphor of the door

in the Book of Revelation

Rev 3:20 WEB Behold, I stand

at the door and knock. If anyone

hears my voice and opens the

door, then I will come in to him,

and will dine with him, and he

with me.

Rev 4:1 WEB After these things

I looked and saw a door opened

in heaven, and the first voice

that I heard, like a trumpet

speaking with me, was one

saying, "Come up here, and I

will show you the things which

must happen after this."


Lesson 4 11

The "open door" here is opportunity

in the midst of opposition

There is opportunity for evangelism in spite of Jewish hostility against Christians.

"You have a little power", refers to the fact that the church had little influence in Philadelphia since Christians were likely from lower classes.

1Co 1:26 WEB For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;

But in Philadelphia the church had remained faithful during their crisis of trial.

Jesus wants people to keep his word

Joh 17:6 WEB I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.

When Jesus praises them because they "didn't deny my name", he is likely referring to some crisis when unbelievers tried to compel the Christians to deny Jesus, but they had stood true.

As in Smyrna, this opposition had

come from the Jewish community

Rev 2:9 WEB "I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

In time the Jews will acknowledge that Christians are loved by God

Rev 3:9 WEB Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.


Lesson 4 12

This is a reminder of similar promises

to God's people in the OT

Isa 45:14 WEB Thus says Yahweh: "The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They shall go after you. In chains they shall come over; and they shall fall down to you. They shall make supplication to you: 'Surely God is in you; and there is none else, there is no other god.

Isa 60:14 WEB The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending to you; and all those who despised you shall bow themselves down at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The city of Yahweh, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus goes on to give assurances to

the faithful within the church

Rev 3:10 WEB Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

� Since they had persevered, he promised to preserve them.

� This implies, not keeping them from temptation, but keeping them in it, as a result of which they will be delivered out of its power

This is consistent with his prayer for the disciples.

� Joh 17:15 WEB I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.

The Promise


overcomes, I will make him a

pillar in the temple of my

God, and he will go out from

there no more. I will write on

him the name of my God,

and the name of the city of

my God, the new Jerusalem,

which comes down out of

heaven from my God, and

my own new name. He who

has an ear, let him hear what

the Spirit says to the

assemblies.


Lesson 4 13

First, Jesus promises stability

Jesus contrasts the stability of a "pillar" in God's temple with the instability of Philadelphia, with frequent earthquakes.

Strabo: “And Philadelphia has not even its walls unimpaired, but daily they are shaken in some way, and gaps are made in them. But the inhabitants continue to occupy the land notwithstanding their sufferings, and to build new houses.”

Dan 2:44 WEB In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed 0 and it shall stand forever.

Second, Jesus promises access

The High Priest wore the name of Yahweh on a golden plate on his forehead when performing his duties.

Exo 28:36-38 WEB "You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, 'HOLY TO YAHWEH.' 0 It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh.

God's people are seen elsewhere

with God's name on their foreheads

They are priests protected by & with access to God.

� Rev 7:3 WEB "Don't harm the earth 0 until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

� Rev 9:4 WEB They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth0 but only those people who don't have God's seal on their foreheads.

� Rev 14:1 WEB I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads.

� Rev 22:4 WEB They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.


Lesson 4 14

LAODICEA

Rev 3:14-22 WEB

"To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says these things: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint youreyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Laodicea (Eskisehir) was 45 mi. SE

of Philadelphia & 100 E of Ephesus

It was on a group of hills

between two tributaries of

the Lycus - the Asopus and

the Caprus.

It was on the great Roman

road stretching to the inland

of Asia from the coast at

Ephesus.

This made it an important

center of trade and

communication.


Lesson 4 15

In the 1st Century, it was one of the

most flourishing cities of Asia Minor

Hiero, bequeathed his property to the people, and adorned the city with costly gifts.

The citizens developed a taste for Greek art, and were distinguished in science and literature.

It was a great banking center.

It was a fashion center known world-wide for a fine quality of glossy black wool.

Laodicea had a school of medicine known for an eye ointment called "Phrygian powder," as well as ear ointments.

It was the chief city of a Roman

conventus or political district

It was the city in which the proconsul of the province held court, and where taxes from the area towns were collected.

Cicero held his court there, and wrote many of his letters there.

The conventus represented by Laodicea comprised at least 25 towns, and inscriptions refer to Laodicea as “the metropolis.”

Laodicea was so wealthy that after it was destroyed by the earthquake of 17 AD, the people refused imperial help. Unlike Philadelphia, they rebuilt entirely by themselves.

Epaphras was from there and Paul

wrote at least one letter to the church

Col 4:12-16 WEB Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house. When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.


Lesson 4 16

The church, like the city, is cocky &

self-assured

They don’t know they are spiritually destitute & they make Jesus want to throw up.

Laodicea was known for hot mineral springs which were fashioned into spas visited by wealthy visitors from all over the world.

The water was curative, but because of the high mineral content, it was almost impossible to stomach.

Anyone who lived in Laodicea could hardly mistake the reference to their tepid water.

The Messenger

Rev 3:14b WEB "The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God's creation, says 0:

“The Amen”: God's last word.

“Faithful and True”: Leader of God's armies.

� Rev 19:11 WEB I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

“Faithful and True”: He is also God’s message

� Rev 21:5 WEB 0 these words of God are faithful and true."

� Rev 22:6 WEB 0"These words are faithful and true..."

Jesus calls himself "the Head of

God's Creation"

Other translations say "the beginning". The idea is seen elsewhere.

Col 1:18 WEB He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Heb 12:1-2 WEB 0 let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


Lesson 4 17

The Message

Rev 3:15-20 WEB "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.

Jesus makes references that would

have been familiar to the Laodiceans

They are neither hot, nor cold, but lukewarm.

� "Cold" denotes that there is no pretense of religion.

� "Hot" denotes the opposite - zealous devotion.

� "Lukewarm" is professed religion, with no zealous devotion. Jesus prefers opposition to indifference.

Lukewarmness would resonsate with Laodicea

� A six-mile-long aqueduct brought Laodicea its supply of water from the south. The water came from hot springs and was cooled to lukewarm in the aqueduct on the way. For all its wealth, the city had poor water. They knew what drinking tepid water was all about.

Then, Jesus moves to more figures

that were familiar to the Laodiceans

Laodicea was a center of high finance and fashion.

� To say they were spiritually destitute and naked would speak volumes about their spiritual condition.

� Remember "The Emperor's New Clothes“?

� They thought they were dressed in the height of fashion, when they were spiritually stark naked.

� Laodicea housed the foremost medical school of its day, reknowned for treatment of the eyes.

� Calling them "blind" would speak volumes

� The bankers could never miss the encouragement to buy "gold refined by fire".

� The clothiers could not miss the significance of buying "white garments" instead of black wool.

� The doctors could not miss the meaning of Jesus' encouragement to obtain "eye salve" so they could see.

Here was a city that seemed to have everything going for it. Butthe church had absolutely nothing going for it. What a tragedy!


Lesson 4 18

Jesus counsels them - and others

like them - to make needed changes

He urges them to repent. His words are motivated by love, as were similar words from Yahweh in the Old Testament.

Pro 3:12 WEB For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

Heb 12:6 WEB For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives."

Jesus adds a picture we are all

familiar with - knocking at the door

The basis for Holman Hunt's great picture.

Elsewhere of the Lord's coming.

� Mat 24:33 WEB Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

� Jam 5:9 WEB Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.

Always be ready for his coming.

� Luk 12:36 WEB Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

People who are not ready may find

themselves shut out

Luk 13:25 WEB When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' then he will answer and tell you, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'

But he offers fellowship to those who invite him in.

� Joh 14:23 WEB Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.


Lesson 4 19

The Promise


overcomes, I will give to him

to sit down with me on my

throne, as I also overcame,

and sat down with my Father

on his throne. He who has

an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit says to the

assemblies."

The proof of our future victory is the

fact that Jesus is already victorious

Joh 16:33 WEB I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world."

Heb 1:3 WEB His Son is the radiance of his glory 0 when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Col 3:1 WEB If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Seven Lessons from Seven Letters

Each is the message of Christ and of the Holy Spirit

to the messenger of a church.

Each has a special message suited to the actual

condition of his congregation.

In each case the individual who overcomes has a

promise of blessing.

Christ knows his people and he lays bare the

strengths and weaknesses of each individual and

each congregation.


Lesson 4 20

1. Christ knows every Christian

Every letter emphasizes this tie.

� He walks among the lampstands & knows the good & bad, strengths & weaknesses, fears & joys, triumphs & dangers of eachindividual Christian

� He knew that the Ephesian church was sliding downhill, that Antipas of Pergamum had been killed for being faithful, that theChristians in Smyrna were materially poor, but spiritually rich.

Christ knows each of us today, just as well.

� This should be a comfort to us, if we are faithful

� It should scare us to death if we are not.

Jesus knows you.

� If that thought makes you uncomfortable, maybe there’s something about you that needs to be changed.

2. Christ wants churches to guard

their teaching

In five of the seven letters, Christ indicated approval or

disapproval of the teaching of the congregation.

� He praises Ephesus for their doctrinal purity.

� He condemns Pergamum & Thyatira for allowing the teaching of

compromise.

� He urges Christians at Sardis to remember what they had received

& keep it.

� He praises Philadelphia for keeping his word.

Since we eventually become what we are taught, we must

maintain doctrinal purity in our congregations and keep on guard

against false teaching.

3. Christ wants Christians to grow in

service

Christ comments to five of the churches on the trend of their work.

� Thyatira is doing more than it used to.

� Philadelphia has an open door of opportunity.

� Ephesus has left its first love & needs to repent.

� Laodicea is lukewarm.

� Sardis has a reputation, but they’re not living up to it.

Only working Christians please Christ.

� Where, along the line from Thyatira to Sardis, do we fall?

� We must bear fruit or be cut off.

� Jesus is interested in whether we are stronger or weaker, doing more or less than our past.

� He wants to see progress.


Lesson 4 21

4. Christ wants Christians to live in

purity

Both Pergamum and Thyatira were weak in their

moral stance – eating meat offered to idols &

practicing & allowing fornication.

� They lived where temptations were everywhere and they

were not taking a strong stand against sin.

The standards of the world must not become the

standards of Christians.

� We’ve got to take a stand against sin, both in our personal

lives and in our communities.

5. Christ wants Christians to be

ready for persecution

Five of the seven are commended for standing firm during persecution.

Two are told things are going to get worse.

The primary purpose of Revelation was to prepare First Century Christians for persecution.

They had already suffered under Nero, but worse was coming under Domitian.

Our so-called “persecutions” are so puny: pressure, ridicule, loss of status.

Will we let these lesser dangers make us fall while early Christians were not stopped even by threats against their lives?

6. Christ wants Christians to know

they can be lost

Ephesus: Rev 2:5 WEB Remember 0 and repent 0 or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand 0

Smyrna: Rev 2:10 WEB 0 Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Pergamum: Rev 2:16 WEB Repent 0 or else I am coming to you quickly0

Thyatira: Rev 2:22 WEB 0 I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent 0

Sardis: Rev 3:3 WEB Remember 0 and repent. If 0 you won't watch, I will come as a thief 0

Philadelphia: Rev 3:11 WEB 0 Hold firmly that which you have, so no one takes your crown.

Laodicea: Rev 3:15-16 WEB "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot 0 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is not in the teaching of Revelation 2-3.


Lesson 4 22

7. Christ will reward Christians who

overcome

Ephesus: Rev 2:7 WEB 0I will give to eat of the tree of life, .. in the Paradise of my God.

Smyrna: Rev 2:11 WEB JHe who overcomes won't be harmed by the second death.

Pergamum: Rev 2:17 WEB ... to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name ...

Thyatira: Rev 2:26-29 WEB 0 to him I will give authority over the nations 0 and I will give him the morning star ...

Sardis: Rev 3:4-6 WEB JHe 0 will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father0

Philadelphia: Rev 3:11-13 WEB JI will make him a pillar in the temple of my God ... I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God 0 and my own new name...

Laodicea: Rev 3:21-22 WEB I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne 0

Christ wants us to be people of hope!

Documents

04 what the spirit says to the churches (part 2) slideshow