Upload
nevaeh
View
32
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
7 Churches - Prophecy. Format of the Messages. 1. Address – Angel (messenger) in the church in_______ 2. The words of … Description of Jesus Christ 3. Appraisal of the church 4. Words of counsel 5. Listen to what the Spirit says 6. Promise to the overcomer. Ephesus. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
7 Churches - Prophecy
Format of the Messages1. Address – Angel (messenger) in the church
in_______2. The words of …
– Description of Jesus Christ3. Appraisal of the church4. Words of counsel5. Listen to what the Spirit says6. Promise to the overcomer
Ephesus3rd wealthiest city in Roman
EmpireTemple of Diana
– Treasury of safe deposit– Wonders of ancient world– Temple prostitutes– Right of asylum
Magical arts, Acts 19:19
Ephesus
31-100 ADNew Testament church persevered, did
good works, and preached the gospel in many new places
Rejected false teachersModel for all reform movementsHowever, abandoned first love
Ephesus
Ephesus Library
Amphitheater at Ephesus
Paul in Ephesus
Nicolaitans
Irenaus – 2nd Century minister near EphesusClaimed to be Christians, but they
considered it “a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.”
Christians that don’t obey 10 commandments
Smyrna - Izmir– Seaport– Cultural center for science, medicine,
politics, religion– Wealthy and beautiful– Center of emperor worship
Smyrna
100-313 AD Main thing Christ commended Smyrna for was
their endurance under persecution Rev. 2:9 – Jews “who say they are…but are not” –
during that time there were many Christians known as ‘Gnostics’ that rejected many Bible truths
Ten days – 303-313 AD, Diocletian persecution Persecution sporadic during this time
Smyrna - Izmir
Smyrna Port
Christianity 100-313 AD
Expressed Christianity in Greek philosophical terms
Centers of Christianity developed – Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Rome
Works of “church fathers” respectedGradual usage of images in worshipTheological disagreements began to arise
Pergamum
Compromise, church and state (Jesus has double-edged sword)
313-538Capital of Roman province in Asia
– Religious center, 4 temples to pagan gods– Government, cultural center– Imperial cult of emperor worship– Center of healing
Altar of Zeus – Berlin Museum
Asclepius – God of Healing
Asclepion – Place of Healing
PergamumVs. 13 Throne of Satan
– Zeus – king of the gods– Asclepius represented by a serpent– Rev. 12:9 Satan the ancient serpent
Vs 13 Antipas my faithful witness– Christian martyr– Tradition - burned to death– You remained true-holding the teachings
Pergamum (313-538)
Christ is pictured as having a “two-edged” sword – Bible (Eph. 6:17)
During this time the church began to stray from the teachings of the Bible
Pergamum (313-538)
Balaam (Numbers 25:1-9, 31:16)
Was going to curse Israel for a bribe from king of Moabites
Led the Israelites into sin Got involved in politics
and business
Pergamum (313-538)
Constantine became a Christian and made the Roman Empire “Christian”
Became political – example: Sabbath to Sunday for political convenience
Pergamum (313-538)
God calls them to repent
Otherwise He will come and fight against them with “the sword of my mouth”
Reward: Manna, white stone with new name
ThyatiraMiddle ages to 1500’sNon-biblical religious practicesSmallest, least important of 7 churches
– Trade guilds, not wealthy city– Royal purple and woolen goods– Lydia from Thyatira, Acts 16:14
Thyatira
This church did do many good works – better at the end than at the beginningMost hospitals, orphanages and schools at the time were sponsored by the church
Thyatira (538-1560)
However, Christ has eyes “like a flame of fire” and is walking among the churches
He knows the true condition of the church
Thyatira (538-1560)
Church tolerated Jezebel (1 Kings 16-21)
Pagan queen that married Ahab and became queen of Israel – brought her own priests and led the Israelites to practice pagan rituals
Thyatira (538-1560) Christian church during this time:
1. Made pope “God on Earth”2. Changed Sabbath to Sunday3. Legalized worship of images4. Gave indulgences for forgiveness of sin5. Taught eternally burning hell and purgatory6. Didn’t publish Bibles for common people7. Got seriously involved in politics 8. Sanctioned torture as legitimate tool of church
Thyatira (538-1560) 2:21 – “time to repent” – 1260
years of Daniel 7 Calls for reformation were made
through general councils, monasteries, Francis of Assisi, Huss, Waldenses, and finally Martin Luther
Council of Trent (1545-1563) – some changes made, but basically same theology remained as in Middle Ages
Thyatira (538-1560) 2:22 – “sickbed” 1320 – biggest famine of
Middle Ages in Europe Black death – 1350’s – 40% of
Europe died 100 year War – 14th-15th
England – France – introduced modern weaponry
1618-1648 – 30 Year’s War – Catholics and Lutherans – 10 out of 18 million people in Germany alone died!
Thyatira (538-1560)
2:23 – Jesus talks about the judgment – which is soon to start
2:24 – Not all held to these doctrines – they needed to just remain firm (Huss, Wycliffe, Milic, Waldenses, etc.)
Fight Against With “Sword of Mouth”
Contributions of Muslims – Middle Ages
1. Called Christians to return to simple act of worshipping God – “spirit of compassion” – said some were “apostate”
2. Saved ancient Greek and Hebrew: Bible3. Provided refuge for dissident Christian
groups4. Aided Protestant movement5. Had culture of learning, education
Thyatira (538-1560)
Reward: the people that overcome during this time will RULE with Christ – they will have power over those who persecuted them
Sardis
Sardis
Sardis
Sardis 3:1-6Protestant reformation to loss of
fervor– 1500-1700s
Lifeless church550 BCE Sardis had been a great
city – King Croesus “as rich as Croesus…”– Vitality, a force in the world– Now living in the past, not the present
Sardis– Temple dedicated to Cybele– Restore the dead to life– Oracle of Cybele – answers to questions
No commendation for Sardis Vs 2 Wake up, strengthen what remains
– Spiritually dead, Holy Spirit is absent– Church with no answers– Your works are not complete
Sardis
1560-1740 From 1520-1560 – there
was a huge renewal of knowledge of the Bible in Germany and all over Europe that stemmed from the ministry of Martin Luther
Sardis (1560-1740)
However, after Luther’s death they became lifeless and stagnant and mainly argued about theology
Melancthon, Luther’s closest friend, was glad to meet death to escape the “rage of the theologians” - 1560
Sardis (1560-1740)
They had a “name” but were largely “dead”They needed the Holy Spirit (3:1)People only attended church and emphasis
was on the ‘correctness’ of belief, not on practical Christianity
Sardis (1560-1740)
Example: England in early 1700’s – amusements were vile, illiteracy widespread, law savage in it’s enforcement, jails were centers of disease and iniquity and drunkenness was more widespread than at any other period in its history.
Sardis (1560-1740)
3:3; If they don’t repent, Jesus will come like a thief – sign of the approaching of the second coming and judgment
Sardis (1560-1740)
3:4 – There are some that have not soiled their clothes
John Calvin and his followers-Reformed Christians (Central Europe)-Huguenots (France)-Puritans (England and America)
Sardis (1560-1740)
3:5 – Is a picture of the approaching judgment – Christ will give us His righteousness and be our advocate in the judgment
Philadelphia Rev. 3: 7-13Late 1700s through 1900sProtestant awakeningYoungest of 7 churches
– Prosperous city on the imperial road– Gateway to the east– Exported Greek culture and language
Philadelphia3:8-10 Church with great
opportunity– Open door for preaching the gospel– Little power (of yourself)
Zech. 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit
– Kept my word, did not deny my name No compromise or apostasy Vs 10 patient endurance, Rev. 14:12
Philadelphia
1740-1850 ADHave kept God’s Word, not denied the faith,
and have endured patientlyThis was a time of religious revival in
England, parts of Europe and America
Philadelphia (1740-1850)John and Charles Wesley – MethodistsGeorge Whitefield – Great Awakening –
BaptistsFrance reacted against French RevolutionWilliam Carey – missionary to IndiaMost mission and Bible societies were
started during this periodWilliam Miller, James and Ellen White
Philadelphia (1740-1850)
3:8 - Open door which no one can shut
1844 – Daniel 8:14 – Jesus went into the Heavenly sanctuary to begin the investigative judgment
Philadelphia (1740-1850)
3:9 – False “Jews” – it was during this time that the 1260 day prophecy ended and the Catholic church turned into an almost extinct church
Protestantism had won
Philadelphia (1740-1850)
3:10 – They will be kept from the hour of trial – Jesus is coming soon
This period would end right before the very end of time and the second coming
Market in Laodicea
Heirapolis across the Lycus River Valley
White Cliffs at Heirapolis
Sacred Pool
Terraced Pools
Plutonium – entrance to Hades
Water pipes from Heiraplois
Laodicea Rev. 3:14-22End time churchCommercial and financial center
– Black wool in garments and carpets– 60 CE city devastated by earthquake– City refused help and rebuilt itself– Medical school – treatment of eye
diseases Eye slave
LaodiceaJesus is a faithful witness and he won’t lieThere is nothing good about this church!They think everything is fine – but it is actually just the opposite – they are about to die
LaodiceaVs. 15 Neither cold (icy) nor (hot)
– Hierapolis mineral hot springs 6 miles away
Used for sick– Aqueduct to Laodicea – lukewarm
Bath in it, not good to drink or for the sickVs 16 Spit (vomit) you out of my
mouth– Vs 15 I wish you were hot or cold!
LaodiceaNot condemned for apostasy or
heresy– No serious sin– No compromise– No persecution
Vs. 17 I am rich, wealthy, need of nothing– Self-satisfied
LaodiceaGod’s view - wretched, miserable,
poor, blind, nakedVs 18 Remedy – Buy!
– Isa. 55:1 Buy without money– Give up their self-sufficiency and
pride Gold refined by fire White garments Eye salve
Laodicea (1850-present)
During this time period – the zeal of the original reformers faded
Materialism crept inBible knowledge decreasedStrange new doctrines about 2nd comingHostility to 7th day SabbathEvolution was half-hearted accepted
Laodicea Gold refined by fire
– 1 Peter 1:7 Faith which has been tested and purified
White garments– Rev. 19:8 Righteous deeds of the saints– Rev. 7:14 Robes washed in the blood of the
Lamb– Isa. 61:10 He has wrapped us with a robe of
righteousness– Christ’s saving righteousness
Eye SalveEye salve to see
– Ps 119:18 Open my eyes that I may behold
– See true condition– John 16:8-11 Holy Spirit convicts of
sin, righteousness, and judgment– Luke 11:13 Holy Spirit given to those
who ask– Gal. 5: 22, 23 fruit of the Spirit
Discipline and InvitationVs 19 Those whom I
love I reprove and discipline
Vs 20 I stand at the door and knock– Open our lives and eat
a companion meal– Develop a relationship – Laodicea had put Christ
outside of their lives and the church
To Rule With ChristVs 21 May sit with Christ on his
throne– Eph. 2:6 God has seated us with Him
in the heavenly places with Christ
Laodicea (1850-present)
2 Tim. 3:1,5 – “last days” there would be people “having the form of godliness, but denying the power of it”
Matt. 25:1-13 – ten virgins
Laodicea (1850-present)
Luke 18:8 – When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
Do you want to sit on the throne with God in His new kingdom?