Revelation Chapter 3 May 24, 2015

Revelation Chapter 3

Let’s notice the names of Jesus in these last three letters.

Revelation 3:1-3

¹And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.²Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.³Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

These verses have directives from Jesus to the church in Sardis. Look for 5 action verbs.

·        Be watchful

·        Strengthen what remains

·        Remember my teachings

·        Hold fast and Repent

And a warning from 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Revelation 3:4-6Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.⁵He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.⁶He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

As in other churches and in the world today God has kept a remnant that remains faithful and walks worthy. No matter the church as a hold has little to brag about. Think back to Sodom and Gomorrah. There were few righteous people in the city and it had to be destroyed with fire and brimstone. Lot had not made a good decision choosing this evil land to raise his family. Nevertheless Moses bargained with good to save Lot and his daughters. The remnant will be clothes in white. White is the representation of purity throughout the Bible. No matter what sin we have committed in action or thought or spoken word; Jesus is able to cleanse us completely.

Psalms 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Even King David cried out to God to purge him of his sins. Have you confessed your sins to Jesus? Before we offer a prayer or take communion or go to bed each night we need to confess our sins, sins of commission but also sins of omissions. Those things we did not do for the Kingdom of God.

Revelation 3:7-8    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; ⁸I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

This description is a preview to what happens to the devil in the chapter 20 when he is cast into the pit and locked away for 1000 years. How many doors has Jesus opened in your life? Did you have the faith to walk through? What God calls us to do He will equip us for the task. Jesus says “I Know” they are weak but they has been faithful. We are told that in our weakness, He is strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Revelation 3:9-11 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.¹⁰ Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

¹¹Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Because they were faithful Jesus promised to keep them from the “hour of temptation” and time of judgment of the world. Verse 11 tells He will come quickly. This does not mean soon, but instead it means it will happen in a blink of an eye. Notice He promise “no man can take their crown.” There are 5 crowns for martyrs, soul winners, ministers of the gospel, righteous living, and endurance in the face of tribulation.

What do you think we will do with our crowns in heaven? We will cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Revelation 3:12-13 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. ¹³He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Roman 3:4    God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

What do we have to overcome? Anger, selfishness, greed, jealousy, pride, lusts of the flesh. We as Christian have the responsibility to “hold fast” and “stand” in the gap at a time when our liberties are slowly being stolen.

Notice the promise in verse 12 God tells us New Jerusalem (our eternal home) which is detailed in Chapter 21 will come down out of heaven and God will dwell with man forever in a new earth. Can I get an Amen? We better start practicing our praise because the next chapter will be before the throne and all will bow and praise the LORD.

Revelation 3:14-16 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; ¹⁵I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Notice the name of Jesus; “Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” This is a statement records that Jesus was present at the creation of the world, a proof of the Trinity. How wretched would a church have to be to be “spewed out” of the mouth of God? How about you? Are you lukewarm?

When it comes to politics do you sit on the fence? Can you pick a side and stick with it? Since I have trust issues with politicians, I have a hard time believing either side. However when it comes to trusting my Savior, I know on whose side I will stand.

Revelation 3:17-18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:¹⁸ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.

What Jesus is stating that this church has money, prestige, and position but they are unaware of their condition.  The gold the LORD possesses has been tried by fire. Ladies God will test us by fire with trials and circumstances in our daily life. Will you be able to stand the test? So many times I have failed to honor Him. Praise God He gives us another chance. After we have been through the fire, we will be stronger, purer, and more reflective of our Savior’s character. Surely by this time in our Christian life we can attest to the fact that true joy is not about amassing wealth here on earth, but about storing up treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6: 19-21Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Revelation 3:19-22

¹⁹As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

²⁰Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

²¹To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

²²He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

We can rest in the fact that as God’s children He loves us enough to discipline us for our own good. If you were a teenager in the sixties, (as I was) you could sure feel the love of your parents as they chastised you and imposed limits for your safety. Those God loves He disciplines.

Hebrews 12: 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Look at verse 20-The LORD is standing at the door of your heart knocking. Are you ready to open your heart to Him? This is a good verse to share with our loved ones who are lukewarm.

Another promise to the overcomers-to sit with Jesus at His Father’s throne.

Jesus uses the word overcome in his letter to all three churches, so I looked back to Chapter 2 and discovered Jesus included that word in every letter.

There were 300 occurrences of the word in the Bible Concordance. As Christians are overcomers!  We are equipped to handle any darts or arrows thrown at us by the enemy.

SYNONYMS:  get the better of, prevail over, control, get/bring under control,  master, conquer,  defeat, beat; get over, get a grip on, curb, subdue;

1 John 5:4-5 For 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?

Teaching notes of Ann Human Sanger

_________________________________________________________________

A special "Thank you" to Mark Copeland at http://executableoutlines.com/ for

REVELATION QUESTIONS Chapter 3 

1) What are the main points of this chapter?

2) For what does the Lord condemn the church in Sardis? (1-2)

3) What does the Lord exhort those at Sardis to do? (2-3)

4) What warning is given to them? (3)

5) What did the Lord find commendable at Sardis? What did He promise them? (4)

 6) What did the Lord promise to those who overcome? (5)

7) What had the Lord done for those in Philadelphia? Why? (8)

8) What was the Lord going to do to those who claimed to be Jews but were actually the synagogue of Satan? (9)

9) What did the Lord say He would do for those in Philadelphia?  Why? (10)

10) What warning and exhortation does He then give? (11)

11) What promise does the Lord give to him who overcomes? (12)

12) For what does the Lord condemn those at Laodicea? (15-16)

13) What does the Lord say He would do because of their lukewarmness? (16)

14) What had they claimed?  What was their true condition? (17)

15) What does the Lord counsel them to do? (18)

16) What justification does the Lord give for such a strong rebuke? (19)   

17) What does He say to such Christians? (19,20)

18) What will be granted to him who overcomes? (21)

19) What exhortation is given at the end of each letter in this chapter?(6,13,22)

Revelation 2:9-29 May 17, 2015

Revelation 2:12-29

Last week we studied the first two letters written to the seven churches. Let’s read the greeting line of each letter and learn more about the description of Christ our Lord.

Revelation 2: To the Church in Ephesus ¹"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

To the Church in Smyrna ⁸"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

To the Church in Pergamum ¹²"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

To the Church in Thyatira ¹⁸"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

·        When our CBS group learned to pray we list the names of Jesus in our Adoration of Him. Here are four new names you can use when you pray.

The letters to the seven churches share a similar structure. They each feature:

·        An address to a particular congregation

·        An introduction of Jesus

·        A statement regarding the condition of the church

·        A verdict from Jesus regarding the condition of the church

·        A command from Jesus to the church

·        A general exhortation to all Christians

·        A promise of reward

We can see the state of each of these seven churches - and the state of  churches in our community as well as our own walk with Jesus - by looking at what Jesus has to say to each church in each section.

Jesus is admitting this church is where Satan reigns and has control yet He praises her faithfulness.

Revelation 2: 13-15"'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas (Antipas means "Against All.")my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

¹⁴But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak(the king of Moab,) to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

¹⁵So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

We need to recognize as Christians that Satan is the prince of the power of the air.

Ephesians 2: ¹And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Number 31: 16 Moses said, ^“Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the LORD."

     The reference is to Balaam who was a wicked prophet or diviner called upon by Balak leader of the Midian to curse the Israelites. Balaam on the way beat his donkey for crushing his leg. Remember the story how God allowed the donkey to talk and then opened Balaam’s eyes to the angel standing in the road with a sword.

(Numbers 24: 5  And he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,(Balaam after meeting God!)

¹⁶   the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:

¹⁷   I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

¹⁸   Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly.

¹⁹   And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!"

²⁰   Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, "Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction.")

Last week we learned about the Nicolaitans last week, deceivers in the Church, claimed "not that they were destroying Christianity, but that they were presenting an improved and modernized version of it." (Barclay) As Christians we have to be aware that when we invite people into the church, we must test their message against the Bible, God’s Holy, inerrant word.

Revelation 2: 16-17 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. ¹⁷ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

Jesus is warning the members to repent and turn from those who claim a message other than the true gospel.

Manna represents the daily bread given to the Israelites in the desert. However, Jesus calls himself the bread of life and daily we need to feed on His Word. When  you are absent from church, don’t you miss the preaching and teaching of God’s Word?

Hidden manna may represent that which is hidden in the Ark of the Covenant. Offering “priestly dignity of the victorious Christian.” In favor of this, it may be noted that it gives unity to the blessing of all believers. 

Many patriarchs in the OT received a new name from God when they learned to trust God. The white stone represents purity and radiance of light reflecting the Father. Those who overcome will receive and new name. Only God can see the change of heart and character. Notice (highlight if you wish) throughout the book of Revelation the many times God give the people chance after chance to repent.

REPENT: some dictionaries call this a feeling of shame or sorrow for an action. 
However, it is not a feeling but a change of behavior, a change of the heart.

Repentance is a process which leads to a relationship with God.

Repentance (metanoeo in the Greek) leads to metamorphosis. The grub's decision to build a cocoon leads to the new miraculous creation of a butterfly. For people it's just the same: the miraculous end result of repentance is becoming a new creation.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.^[2]

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

To Church in Thyatira the

Revelation 2:18-20"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

 ¹⁹"'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

²⁰But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

This may not have been her literal name, but a title that clearly represented a self-styled prophetess within the church, after the pattern of Jezebel  the  life of King Ahab of Israel. (1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9:30-37). Everyone is familiar with the name Jezebel and her threat to God’s people and His prophet Elijah. No mother would want to name a child and to be called a Jezebel is a slur on your behavior.

Guzik  declares “On the outside, they were a model church, showing works, love, service, faith, and patience. Yet there was significant corruption inside the church. The sin of the church was that they allowed this corruption.

1 Kings 19: ¹ And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.² Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.

What things are happening in America that Jesus could hold against us?

Revelation 2:21-23 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.²²Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works ,²³and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

Jesus tells them what He is going to do. But Jesus is calling out the leaders of the Church to handle this situation in a Godly manner. Jesus calls for her repentance; a change of behavior and confession to God. Just as Jesus demonstrated His power by calling Lazarus from the tomb, He will confirm his omnipotence and omniscience; He is all power and all knowing. You cannot hide your sins from God in heaven. God will reward according to your actions.

Matthew 25:21²¹   His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Revelation 2:24-26 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.²⁵Only hold fast what you have until I come.²⁶The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

What does it mean to hold fast until Jesus comes again? What should we be doing?

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 2:27-29 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.²⁸And I will give him the morning star.²⁹He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

This quotation from Psalm 2 speaks of the authority of the Messiah when He rules over the earth. In that day, righteousness will be enforced, and those who rebel against Jesus will be dashed to pieces like a clay pot hit with an iron bar. 

Psalm 2:9-11Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.¹⁰   Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.¹¹   Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

First notice an interesting point from the Greek text. The verb translated “rule” in Revelation 2:27 is poimanei, derived from the word for a shepherd ( poimen ).

The Concordant Literal Translation renders Revelation 2:27 as: “He shall shepherd them with an iron club.” The rod or club carried by a shepherd was, of course, primarily for the protection of his sheep, not to frighten or punish them.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Morning Star is Jesus. The pledge of the coming day, both for the waiting witnesses, and for the ungodly, who loved darkness because their deeds were evil: the earnest of the sovereignty of light over darkness, when the children of the day would be manifest, and shine as the stars forever and ever. Amen

Questions shared from Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

1.       What tone does Jesus set toward the church at Pergamos? ____________________________________________________________

2.       Where was Satan’s seat? _______________________________________

3.       Who is the martyr Jesus mentions? _______________________________

4.       What did Balaam teach? _________________________________________

5.       What would Jesus do if they refused to repent? _______________________

6.       Those who overcame where promised what two things? _________________
____________________________

a.       What is the new name (Revelation 2:17; 3:12; 22:4; 14:1)? __________________________________________________

7.       What four things are commendable concerning Thyatira?

a.       ______________________________

b.      ______________________________

c.       ________________________________

d.      ________________________________

8.       What were they allowing to happen? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________

9.       What threat is given? ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

10.   Where all influenced by immorality? ______________________________

11.   What is the morning star (Revelation 2:28; II Peter 19:9; Revelation 22:16)? _______________________________________________________________

Revelation 2:1-11 May 10, 2015

As we study the seven letters to the seven churches, let us pay special attention to any resemblance to churches in our lifetime. Only two churches of the seven received commendations: Smyrna and Philadelphia. Let’s read verse 20 in Chapter 1 to recap.

Revelation 1:20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

“Each church was given a message to the faithful overcomer. Keep in mind that these seven churches represent all of the Church of that day. The word “angel” means messenger, both angelic and human.” The words written in red are words of Christ. The message was written to the ministers of the seven churches and their congregation.

Revelation 2: To the Church in Ephesus This was a famous city in the ancient world, with an equally famous church. Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years (Acts 19:1, Acts 10, Acts 20:31). Aquilla and Priscilla, with Apollos served there (Acts 18:24-28). Paul's close associate Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3) worked in Ephesus. According to strong and consistent historic tradition, the Apostle John also ministered there.

Ephesus was a center of wealth and a stronghold for Satan. It had temple to pagan Gods Artemis and Diana. The temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world.

¹"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ²"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ³ I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

Though Jesus resides in heaven, He sees all that is happening in His churches. Jesus is holds the stars(ministers) in His right hand and walks among the churches. Even today Jesus should be recognized as the center of the church.

Something can be lost quite by accident, but leaving is a deliberate act, though it may not happen suddenly. The Ephesian church was a working church. Sometimes a focus on working for Jesus will eclipse a love relationship with Him. We can put what we do for Jesus before who we are in Him. We can leave Jesus in the temple, just as the parents of Jesus did (Luke 2:45-46).

Like Joanne mentioned last week sometimes we try to do too much. Satan can keep us to busy that we lose our joy. As Lillian commented last week if we grumble about working for Jesus our reward will be burned up as straw and hay.

Galatians 1:10 ESV For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

⁴But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. ⁵  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and your remove lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

We should heed the warning given to the Church at Ephesus. The removing of the church’s lampstand meant Christ’s Spirit would depart and leave them on their own, which in turn would result in them being as Laodicea (“men’s opinions ruling in place of God”). Loyalty to Christ can and often is replaced by loyalty to an organization, a church, and its leaders, substituting new rules and interpretations for Biblical truths. We can see this example in the cults.

We find that all the churches mentioned in Revelation existed at the same time, and we can still find the faithful church existing alongside the unfaithful church today.

ACTS 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 

⁶Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Who are the Nicolaitians? Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch

Acts 6:1-4  A complaint by the Hellenist disciples (Greeks)because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, (who we remember is the first martyr and stoned for his faith)and Philip, four names had to pronounce, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

Could be a perversion of the teaching of Nicolaus advocating that the people of God commit sexual immorality or intermarry with the heathen and compromise in the matter of idolatrous worship.”—Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ,

John had not lived in a Greek city without becoming aware that the two things were in fact closely bound up together. Throughout the Bible God has commanded His people to be separate from other nations. Gentile converts had been rescued from their former worship of idol. Pagan festivities were too often occasions of immoralities.

⁷He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Verse seven is a word of encouragement. Saint Ignatius, student of John the Apostle and was the third bishop of Antioch, writing a generation later, still accorded the church high praise. The minister and his congregation must have repented and done their first works over; therefore, they went back to their first love. Ephesus became a seat of bishops, where a notable council was held as late as A.D. 431. The lamp stand wasn’t removed from the church in Ephesus for at least 375 years after John’s vision. Zondervan  Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible.

As we talked last week about Genesis and Revelation the first and the last books of the Bible, let’s read the description of the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

 To the church at Smyra

8"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9"'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Who is the first and the last? What slander is being spoken? What is he saying against the other Jews?

¹⁰Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

What is the reward for those who die for their faith? There are seven crowns awarded in heaven, we will learn more about that later.

¹¹He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'

V. 11a will be repeated in every letter.  Ladies we are conquerors and are spared the second death which the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 21:8  …the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Romans 8: 35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?³⁶As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Here is our promise sisters:

³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life,
 nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers,³⁹nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For Further Study Questions shared from Executable Outlines,
Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

1.     What congregation does Jesus address first? _____________________________

2.     What does the word angel mean? ______________________________________

3.     What is Jesus holding? _______________________________________________

4.     Where is he walking? ________________________________________________

5.     What two words are identical for each congregation (Revelation 2:2; 9; 13; 19; 3:1; 8; 15)? _____________ __________________

6.     In what ways does Jesus commend the congregation in Ephesus? ___________

7.     What does Jesus rebuke them for? _________________________________

8.     To remove the candlestick would be equivalent to what ____________________

9.     What deeds did the church at Ephesus hate? _____________________________

10.   Who else hated the deeds? _________________________________________

a.     What are we supposed to hate (Psalms 119:104)? __________________

11. What did Jesus hate about the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15)? ________________

12.  What is the church to hear? _________________________________________

13.  What are we promised if we overcome? ________________________________

14. Where is the tree of life (Revelation 22:2; 14)? _____________

15.Who tells the angel to write unto the church at Smyrna? ______________________________________________________________

16. What three things did Jesus know about this congregation? ______________

17. Who makes up the congregation of Satan? _____________________________

18.  What should they brace themselves for? _______________________________a.     What promise is given? ______________________________________