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.
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)?
_______________________________________________________________
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