REVELATION 2 – 3 The Epistles to the 7 Churches · PDF fileREVELATION 2 – 3 The...

REVELATION 2 – 3

The Epistles to the 7 Churches

June 2012

The Church that is tolerating sin

The dying Church

1

ThyatiraDescription of the City

• Smallest of the 7 cities (but received the longest letter)• Located on a major route to more prominent cities• Now known as the city of Akhisar in Turkey

2

ThyatiraDescription of the Church

• Important as a trade center with many trade guilds (unions)–Famous for its textiles (clothing), especially for production of purple dye–Each trade guild had its own god

• Main god was Apollo (also called Tyrimnas)–Members were forced to participate in the pagan feasts and immoral

practices• You would lose your job if you refused to participate

3

ThyatiraDescription of the Church

• Founding of the church in Thyatira–Lydia was a seller of purple dye from Thyatira

(Acts 16:14 – 15) and may have founded the church

–Or Paul founded the church from his base church in Ephesus

• Problem for the church–Attending the guilds that had feasts with food

sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality

4

Thyatira Description of Christ (18)

• Christ is referred to as “the Son of God”–Reaffirmation of Christ’s deity and right to judge

–Only place in Revelation where Christ is called this

–Main local god in Thyatira was Apollo (Tyrimnas)• Worshippers said he was a

son of the gods

5

Thyatira Description of Christ (18)

• Eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass picture His judgment–Same as described in the vision in

1:14 – 15–His eyes search (examine) the

minds and hearts (23)• He sees all that we think, say, and

do–His feet are like fine brass in the

severity of His judgments• Treads the winepress of the

fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (19:15)

• Breaks men like potters vessels (27)• He brings punishment for sin

6

Thyatira Commendation (19)

• I know your–Good works

• And doing even more as time went on–Love

• Proper motivation• Only church to receive commendation for their love

–Faith or faithfulness • Commitment to the faith, the body of truth (Scripture)

–Service • Needs for others

–Patience (perseverance) • Under a heavy load (trials and persecution)

Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:13 – 15, 40) left a lasting mark on her churchLydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:13 – 15, 40) left a lasting mark on her church

7

Thyatira Rebuke (20 – 23)

• Allow that woman Jezebel to teach and mislead my servants into sexual immorality and eating of things sacrificed to idols–Who was Jezebel?

• Old Testament wife of King Ahab• Led Israel into Baal worship• Killed the prophets of God

8


• Who is Jezebel in Thyatira• A prophetess• A teacher in the church in a

leadership position• A deceiver about sexual

immorality and foods sacrificed to idols (similar to the Nicolaitans and followers of the doctrine of Balaam)

• Guilty of sexual immorality herself but unrepentant– Previously confronted with her

sin• Involved with occultist

practices associated with her satanic influence (24)

• A real woman depicted of as Jezebel in the Old Testament

9


• Christians were being persuaded by the leader of the church that it was acceptable to be involved in these sinful practices because it was part of their job–God is only interested in the spirit. It does not matter what one

does in the body (Dualism / Greek philosophy)–God would forgive whatever they did (Antinomionism)–Experience the deep things of Satan so they could better

witness to the unsaved

10


• Judgment will come to her and her followers –For her, into a bed (of sickness)

because she refused to repent• A fatal illness (I Corinthians 11:29 – 30, II

Kings 1:4)• “of sickness” is not part of the original

Greek• A bed of death and hell

–For those who follow her (Christians), who were deceived by her, great tribulation• Those who commit sexual immorality

with her• Severe divine discipline similar to what is

coming during the Great Tribulation–For her children, death

• The next generation or those who continue to propagate her viewpoint

11


• Nothing can be hidden from Christ–He searches hearts and minds and sees evil• Matthew 15:19, Jeremiah 17:9 –

10–He judges based upon our works

–He demands purity in doctrine and behavior• Pastors: be sure you are

preaching the truth• All Christians: repent if you are

following false teachers or are in sin

12

Thyatira Exhortation (24 – 25)

• To the faithful, godly remnant, the rest of Thyatira who do not know the deep things of Satan

• Do not allow the doctrines from the depths of Satan to infiltrate your Church

• Hold fast to what you are doing until I come–First explicit reference to the return of Christ–Thyatira church went out of existence by the end of the 2nd

Century (before 200 AD)• Religious Compromise and Immorality

– Rejected at Ephesus– Tolerated at Pergamos– indulged at Thyatira (and Sardis) by the majority

13

Thyatira Promise (26 – 29)

• To the overcomer and who keeps Christ’s works until the end (this is the overcomer)–Will share Christ’s reign over the nations during the millennium (20:4)

• Christ will have final victory over the nations of the world– Revelation 19

• Some will have greater authority than others for being faithful over those who have not been as faithful

– II Corinthians 5:10, Luke 19:12 – 28, Isaiah 40:10, Zechariah 3:7• Motivation for the unfaithful to return to God

14

Thyatira Promise (26 – 29)

• To the overcomer and who keeps Christ’s works until the end (this is the overcomer)–Will receive the morning star

• Morning star is the planet Venus that appears at night just before the dawn of a new day

• Christ is the bright and morning star – Revelation 22:16

• The overcomer will receive the presence of Christ

• We will someday shine like Christ and like the stars forever– Daniel 12:3

15

Thyatira Application

• To Thyatira and to all the churches

• Beware of church leaders who claim to be prophets or prophetesses of God–God’s revelation to man is complete–A teaching must be based upon the authority of the Bible, not the leader

• Christian liberty is not a license to sin–True believers desire to do God’s will and obey His commandments• Romans 5 – 6

16

SardisDescription of the City

• Located along a major highway–Highway leads all the way to Susa in Mesopotamia

• Capital of the Medo-Persian empire

• Was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia–Exceedingly wealthy and prosperous past

• Famous city for its–Military history between Asia and Europe

• Stood as a great city in opposition to Europe• Overconfidence because almost impregnable

location (rocks walls on 3 sides)– King Cyrus of Persia climbed the steep cliffs to

defeat Sardis in 549 BC– Defeat repeated by Antiochus the Great in 214 BC

–Jewelry–Dye–Textiles of beautifully colored garments

Ruins of theWall

17

SardisDescription of the City

• Religion of the city was the worship of the forces of nature and Diana

• Modern day Sart–Small remnant of people remain

Temple of

Artemis

18

Sardis Description of Christ (3:1 a, b)

• He who has–The seven Spirits of God

• Seven spirits of God are the seven principle angels of God (1:4)– The seven angels stand before God

» Revelation 8:2– Carry out the Bowl Judgments

» Revelation 15, 16

–The seven stars• Seven stars are the seven angels of

the seven churches (1:20)– Christ’s lordship over the churches– One of each angel goes to each of the

7 churches » Revelation 2 – 3

19

Sardis Rebuke (1c)

• You have a name (reputation) that you are alive–Apparently with other churches

20

Sardis Rebuke (1c, 2b)

• You are about to die–Only a little life left

• Your works are not perfect before God–Your works are a fraud

• Nothing escapes Christ’s notice and analysis (Hebrews 4:13)

–You are going through the motions (stuffed animal!)• You have a good reputation• Unacceptable to God

21

Sardis Exhortation (2a – 3)

• 5 Step Process1. Be watchful: wakeup! (2)

• Special meaning to Sardis since their city had fallen twice before to Cyrus and Antiochus the Great when they were militarily asleep, relying on their military fortification

• There is hope: they can come out of it– God has not given up on this church

• If you do not wakeup, expect judgment (3)– Christ will remove its lampstand (2:5)

and the church will die» The church did eventually die

22


• 5 Step Process2. Strengthen the things which remain (that are about to die) (2)• Their works were routine

and mechanical, lacking in spiritual vitality– Ministry and influence

were about to be removed• Make your work perfect

before God– Your works should come

from your heart as your “first love” not to produce a good reputation

23


• 5 step process3. Remember what you have received and heard:

God’s word (3)• The truths of the Word of God• Remember the teachings of the apostles (New Testament)

24


• 5 step process4. Hold fast (3)

• Literally, “keep” his commandments– I John 2:3

25


• 5 step process5. Repent (Change) (3)

• Change your mind / turn away from your sin– Results in a change of conduct or lifestyle

26


• 5 step processEither do these 5 steps that bring revival or else

Christ will come as a thief at any time and bring judgment

27

Sardis Commendation (4)

• Those who have not defiled their garments will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy–Only a few

• Walk in white: symbol of moral purity– In comparison to walking in the “dye” colored robes of Sardis

• Are worthy: daily obedience to the Lord

28

Sardis Promise (5 – 6)

• 3 Promises to the Overcomer (I John 5:4 – 5)1. Perfection: clothed in white garments

• Made white in “the blood of the Lamb” (7:14)

29


• 3 Promises to the Overcomer (I John 5:4 – 5)2. Security: I will not blot his name from the

Book of Life• Double negative for emphasis in Greek (οὐμὴ)

• Your name must be written in the Book of Life for you to enter into the heavenly city (21:27)

• If your name is not written in this book, you are cast into the Lake of Fire (20:15)

• Those who are saved have had their names written there since the foundation of the world (17:8)

• Christ’s promise in 3:5 is not that names can be blotted out but the assurance that your name cannot be blotted out! You cannot lose your salvation.

– John 5:24; 6:35 – 37, 39; 10:28 – 29; Romans 8:38 – 39

30


• 3 Promises to the Overcomer (I John 5:4 – 5)3. Acceptance: I will confess his name before my Father and

before His angels• Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9 - 10

31

Sardis Application

• To Sardis and all the churches• The true spiritual condition of a church is not always visible from the outside–But nothing is hidden from Christ

• Drives our motivation– Matthew 25:21, 23

–Sardis got its act together• Led by Bishop Melito (died AD 180)

• Our reputation is no guarantee of inward character

32

Sardis Application

• What keeps a church alive? What keeps 1st

and St. Paul’s Church alive?–Good works (2)

• Works done for God not to impress people

–Preaching (3) (not the preacher)• Focused on Christ and the Scriptures

–Purity (4)• In our walk with God

Backup Charts

34

The 7 Churches of Asia Minor

• Asia Minor is modern western Turkey• Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

35

Outline for the Epistles

• To the angel of the city–Description of the city–Description of the church

• Description of Christ• Commendation• Rebuke• Exhortation

• Application

36

To the Angel of . . .

• Angels were assigned to the churches for their guidance and watchful care–Hebrews 1:14, Ephesians 3:10, I Peter 1:12

• Somehow they are transmitted through their angels–Permanent fixture of the church even as the pastors, teachers,

and members change over time–We cannot communicate with them–Angels are protecting and ministering

• As a source of encouragement to the church

• The letters are addressed to the–Churches (all of Jesus’ churches – plural) (11)

• Members• Ministers

37


• Books in Heaven–1. Book of the Living (all who are alive)

• Exodus 32:32 – 33, Deuteronomy 29:20, Psalm 69:28, Isaiah 4:3

–2. Book of the Lost and their deeds• Revelation 20:12

–3. Book of the names of the elect (Book of Life)• Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:15, 21:27; Malachi 3:16; Philippians

4:3; Hebrews 12:23

38

The Letters to the Seven Churches

John Walvoord, Revelation

Church Christ Commendation Rebuke Exhortation PromiseEphesus (2:1 - 7)

Neglected Priorities

Holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands

Deeds, hard work, perseverance. Does not tolerate wicked men. Endures hardships. Hates the practices of the Nicolaitans

Has forsaken her first love

Remember; repent; do the things you did at first

Will eat from the tree of life

Smyrna (2:8 - 11)

Persecution

The first and the last, who died and came to life again

Suffers persecution and poverty Do not be afraid. Be faithful, even to the point of death

Will receive a crown of life; will not be hurt by the second death

Pergamos (2:12 - 17)

Compromise

Has the sharp, double-edged sword

Remains true to Christ; does not renounce her faith

People there hold the teachings of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans

Repent Will receive hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it

Thyatira (2:18 - 29) Immorality

The Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished brass

Deeds, love, faith, service, perseverance, doing more than at first

Tolerates Jezebel with her immorality and idolatry

Repent, hold on to what you have

Will have authority over the nations; the morning star

Sardis (3:1 - 6) Apathy

Holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars

Deeds; reputation of being alive Dead Wake up! Strengthen what remains. Remember what you received, obey it, repent

Will be dressed in white; will be acknowledged before My Father and His angels

Philadelphia (3:7 - 13) Security

Holy and true, holds the key of David

Deeds, keeps Christ's word and does not deny His name, endures patiently

Hold on to what you have

Those who overcome will be pillars in the temple; the name of God, of the New Jerusalem, and of Christ's new name, will be written on them

Laodicea (3:14 - 22) Lukewarm

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Ruler of God's creation

Lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked

Buy from Christ refined gold, white clothes, and eye salve. Be earnest, and repent

Overcomers will eat with Christ; will rule with Christ

39

Conclusion

Jesus Christ loves and cares for His churchesJesus Christ loves and cares for His churches

• The letters to the 7 churches are relevant to the problems that the church faces today• Losing our first love (2:4)• Being afraid of suffering (2:10)• Doctrinal defection (2:14 – 15)• Moral departure (2:20)• Spiritual deadness (3:1 – 2)• Not holding fast (3:11)• Lukewarmness (3:15 – 16)

• These letters are God’s final words of exhortation and warning to the church today

• Hear, listen, repent, return, and obey!• All Christians are overcomers, faithful to Christ

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