Revelation 2-3

Seven Letters

Revelation 2-3

Last Week: Introduction Tonight: 7 letters to 7 churches

7 Historical Churches Why these churches?

Structure

Address“To the angel of the church in…”

Description of Himself

To Smyrna: The first and the last, who was dead,

and has come to life, says this:

Revelation 2:8

To Smyrna: The first and the last, who was dead,

and has come to life, says this:

Revelation 2:8

To Pergamum: The One who has the sharp two-

edged sword says this:

Revelation 2:12

To Pergamum: The One who has the sharp two-

edged sword says this:

Revelation 2:12

Jesus Christ will provide the exact resources needed to fulfill His mission.

Jesus Christ will provide the exact resources needed to fulfill His mission.

Structure

Address“To the angel of the church in…”

Description of Himself Analysis

“I know your deeds…” Counsel

Revelation 2:10Be faithful until death, and I will give you

the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10Be faithful until death, and I will give you

the crown of life.

Revelation 2:5I am coming to you and will remove your

lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5I am coming to you and will remove your

lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Structure

Address“To the angel of the church in…”

Description of Himself Analysis

“I know your deeds…” Counsel Invitation Promise

Revelation 2:7To him who overcomes, I will grant

to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God

Revelation 2:7To him who overcomes, I will grant

to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God

1 John 5:4-5For whatever is born of God overcomes the

world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5For whatever is born of God overcomes the

world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

7 Letters

Mixed Review Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira

Bad Review Laodicea, Sardis

Good Review Smyrna, Philadelphia

7 Letters – Mixed Review

Christ’s Message:“You are seriously imbalanced.” Ephesus: You hate, but you do not love.

Romans 12:9Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Revelation 2:6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the

deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the

deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:2 'I know your deeds and your toil and

perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;

Revelation 2:2 'I know your deeds and your toil and

perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;

Revelation 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have

left your first love.

Revelation 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have

left your first love.

Revelation 2:5I am coming to you and will remove your

lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5I am coming to you and will remove your

lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

7 Letters – Mixed Review

Christ’s Message:“You are seriously imbalanced.” Ephesus: You hate, but you do not love. Pergamum and Thyatira: You love, but

you do not hate.

Revelation 2:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and

faith and service and perseverance

Revelation 2:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and

faith and service and perseverance

Revelation 2:20  'But I have this against you, that you

tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:20  'But I have this against you, that you

tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

John 14:6"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one

comes to the Father but through Me.

John 14:6"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one

comes to the Father but through Me.

Truth and Love are InseparableTruth and Love are Inseparable

Ephesians 4:15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in

all aspects into Him

Ephesians 4:15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in

all aspects into Him

Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more

and more in real knowledge and all discernment

Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more

and more in real knowledge and all discernment

7 Letters – Bad Review

Christ’s Message:“You are seriously self-deceived.” Laodicea: You think you know me, but you

are strangers.

Revelation 3:17you say, "I am rich, and have become

wealthy, and have need of nothing

Revelation 3:17you say, "I am rich, and have become

wealthy, and have need of nothing

Revelation 3:17byou do not know that you are wretched

and miserable and poor and blind and naked

Revelation 3:17byou do not know that you are wretched

and miserable and poor and blind and naked

Revelation 3:20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if

anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if

anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

7 Letters – Bad Review

Christ’s Message:“You are seriously self-deceivd.” Laodicea: You think you know me, but we

are strangers. Sardis: You think are thriving, but you are

dead.

Revelation 3:1I know your deeds, that you have a name

that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:1I know your deeds, that you have a name

that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:2Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain,

which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

Revelation 3:2Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain,

which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

Revelation 3:3So remember what you have received and heard;

and keep it, and repent.

Revelation 3:3So remember what you have received and heard;

and keep it, and repent.

Faith is like a muscle – it’s either being strengthened or it’s atrophying.

Faith is like a muscle – it’s either being strengthened or it’s atrophying.

Ask: What’s the next step of faith for me to take?

Ask: What’s the next step of faith for me to take?

7 Letters – Good Review

Christ’s Message:“Regardless of how things look, you’re

successful in the only way that matters.” Smyrna

Revelation 2:9I know your tribulation and your poverty

(but you are rich)

Revelation 2:9I know your tribulation and your poverty

(but you are rich)

God will use suffering to remove impurities from our faith.

God will use suffering to remove impurities from our faith.

7 Letters – Good Review

Christ’s Message:“Regardless of how things look, you’re

successful in the only way that matters.” Smyrna Philadelphia

Revelation 3:8b“. . .you have a little power and have kept

My word, and have not denied My name.

Revelation 3:8b“. . .you have a little power and have kept

My word, and have not denied My name.

Revlation 3:8aBehold, I have put before you an open door

which no one can shut

Revlation 3:8aBehold, I have put before you an open door

which no one can shut

We need to take our eyes off of our ourselves and boldly step out by Christ’s power.

We need to take our eyes off of our ourselves and boldly step out by Christ’s power.

May we be like Philadelphia!

May we be like Philadelphia!

Revelation 2-3: Seven Letters

Questions? Comments? Experiences?