Alpha and Omega, Part 26, Revelation Part 3
The 7 Churches of Revelation (Part 1)
Revelation 2:1-29
Introduction
- Today we will begin our examination of the 7 churches of Revelation
-- Each of these churches has a very specific letter given to it
-- Although sometimes subtle, there is a very common theme to each letter:
-- A church that allows the world to influence it is NOT being faithful to Christ
- Read Revelation 2:1-29 / Pray
- Let’s set-up a little background and understanding for Ch. 2 and 3
-- Back of notes is a small summary of each church for this week and next
- We know there were more than 7 churches during this time
-- So, why were these letters sent to only these 7? And only this area?
-- Prob ~40,000 believers … Imagine if Jesus had John send +1,000 letters?
- These letters could be representative of ALL churches of the time
-- Which could mean these could be representative of the churches today!
-- The characteristics of the churches reveal the same challenges we see now
- CHALL: What if each church took an honest inventory of their environment?
-- Could we not discover areas for improvement, commendation, or rebuke?
-- I would offer a thought that we could – and we should – look at our church
-- Why? Because God’s word is alive – and it ought to be our measuring stick
-- Here is caution: Before you judge another church must look at your own
- Each letter is written to the messenger, or angel, or leader of the church
-- This is an important note: It tells us who it comes from and who it’s for
-- And each letter is specifically dictated by Jesus Christ for the church body
-- But sending to the leader does not mean that it’s only he who must change
- As the leader, a messenger/angel is responsible for the flock in his care
-- RE: In Ch 1 we saw the angel of each church in the palm of Jesus’ hand
-- Which means he has the respons. to share the message without apology
-- This leads to those in the churches changing because they follow the truth
Point 1 – The Church of Ephesus (v1-7)
Name means: Desirable or Lovely
Commendation:
• The church worked and labored for Christ, and they patiently endured (v2)
• The church tested all preachers & teachers and rejected the false ones
• Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (v6) – disapproved of things of the world
• Why? Everything they did was for Him, and His glory – He was priority
Complaint: (v4)
• The church had lost its first love (basically, they’re guilty of backsliding)
• They lost their love for Jesus – that is, the love that they had for Him
• They had also lost their love for people – RE: John 15:12, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
Counsel: (v5)
- When Jesus counsels the church – the calling is that they return to Him
-- EX: When a believer strays from Jesus, He is called to come back – to return
• Remember where you have fallen
• Repent, turn away from what has pulled you away
• Do the things you were told to do
-- Matthew 3:2, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
- Warning (v5): Jesus will remove the lampstand from its place
-- This means the church will be removed from being a “true church”
-- CH: Can a church really be doing the things of God without love for Jesus?
- This is a terrible judgment, and one we should take to heart as a warning
-- Doctrinal purity is not enough – go deeper: good preaching is not enough
-- APP: We must do the things we are called to do else we are risking it all!
-- This church lacked the main thing: their love for Christ and for people
Promised Reward: (v7)
• If they will do the things they are commanded, they will have victory
• They will eat from the tree of life and be blessed as citizens of Heaven
• HOW? Get rid of whatever it is that leads you AWAY from Jesus
Point 2 – The Church of Smyrna (v8-11)
- We see Jesus telling the church that he was dead and is alive again (v8)
-- Greek: ginomai; means to coming into being (came to life again)
Name means: Sweet fragrance (for example: Myrrh – sweet licorice)
Commendation: (v9)
• The church held up under terrible tribulation (GR: thlipsis - most severe)
• The church functioned under extreme poverty (without material things)
• The church was strong under all slander (mainly from Jews in the city)
• But they were spiritually wealthy – rich in the Lord and in His provisions
Counsel: Comes as a warning of the future: (v10)
• More persecution is coming; unbelievers will be led to attack the church
• Encouragement: Do be afraid; be faithful during it – even threat of death
• Remember who Jesus is - the first and the last (see above) – ginomai
Promised Reward:
• Overcomers will receive a “crown of life”, it’s the reward of eternal life
• They (faithful believers) will be delivered from the second death
• What is that? Revelation 20:14, “Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.”
Point 3 – The Church of Pergamos (v12-17)
Jesus describes himself as one who has a two-edged sword coming from his mouth
• This is a representation of the Word of God (v12)
• This is the primary thing a worldly church needs – the truth of scripture
• It also means that He brings judgment and power through the Word
Name means: Height (not tall, but like to be elevated in status, ex: by marriage)
Commendation: (v13)
• The church was loyal to Christ’s name, despite the environment
• The church was pure in doctrine - they had not denied the faith of Christ
• They stood fast in persecution; church even had a martyr (Antipas)
- The Greek word for martyr is martus; the meaning is same word as witness
-- Consider challenge: commitment to Jesus meant willing to give up everything
Complaint: (v14-15)
- They were guilty of bad doctrine: dabbled in Baalism (the worship of false gods)
• Baptized persons who never repented and forsake the ways of the world
• They allowed worldly teachers to preach from their pulpits
• Allowed a mixed bag of membership – unbelievers were not corrected
-- The worldly church is guilty of making a false proclamation of faith in Jesus
Counsel: (v16)
Straight forward: REPENT of your sin! Stop willfully living in sin!
Warning: (v16)
• Christ warns them they have become worldly – they look like the world
• CHALL: Is the church a “show” or “entertainment” to amuse its attendees?
• If it is, because of it, Jesus will come quickly and make war with them
• He will punish the unbelievers – those who refuse to repent and change
Promise: (v17)
• The overcomer is given the right to eat manna of Heaven: John 6:32-33, “Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
-- Jesus promises a spiritual feeding – one that encourages and satisfies the soul
-- IMP: It is what we (the church) need more than anything else!
- The overcomer will be given a white stone with a new name on it:
-- This is either the name of Christ or the name of the believer – it’s a new name
-- It is a representation of having entry into Heaven – without out, there is no way
- BIG: The church member must hear this: we can never overcome the world without this instruction – (stated simply) we are not able because of sin!
Point 4 – The Church of Thyatira (v18-29)
- Christ declares his eyes are like fire: He has seen all they are involved in
-- Even declares his feet are like brass: able to trample things that are untrue
-- APP: He has power to trample those who compromise God’s truth for the world
-- Paul taught this, Romans 2:16, “And this is the message I proclaim - that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.”
Name means: Perfume of labor or the sweet savor of sacrifice
Commendation: (v19)
- They are a very active church – involved in all kinds of Godly work
-- They partook in works of service and love (evangelism, youth, adults, the needy, the orphans, the hungry, the homeless, the shut-ins, prisoners, the poor, etc.)
• They displayed works of faith with patient endurance
• They were not rich, but they trusted God to provide where they lacked
• Even in the face of opposition, they persevered to show the love of Christ
• They required the sacrifice of time and money – because they trusted in God
• The believed God even when they felt inadequate to provide
-- Had significant growth in the church ministries: dynamic, vibrant … alive!
Complaint: (v20-21)
They allowed false teaching: they were backsliding from what they knew
They tolerated a false prophetess to teach within the church to its members
• Jezebel was a false prophet who taught in the church
• She was allowed to seduce (GR: planao; to mislead) the Lord’s servants
• She was seducing the believers to commit every immoral act possible
• Meaning: She was convincing believers to sin and be OK with it
- APP: The church was influenced by the world and caught up in its compromise
-- Remember command of John 15:19, “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”
Warning: (v22)
• Jezebel will be cast unto a bed of sickness: judgment was to match her sin
• To be a direct result of the sin she encouraged: she’d reap what she sowed
• Jesus said in Matthew 7:2, “For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”
-- There is a warning to those who give into this: you’ll face great tribulation
-- 2023 EX: Churches who willingly allow what God has said to not tolerate
- IMP: But see this, there is still time to repent (see the grace of Christ here - v22)
-- “Unless”: Jesus still loves the church, so much so that He reaches out to them
-- Despite their corruption – there was still a great love for the church
-- But action is also required: Peter said in Acts 3:19, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
-- Later, Paul taught in Acts 17:30, “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.”
Counsel for the church:
• Hold fast to the truth of the Gospel (v24 shows source of this teaching)
• Deeper truths: Are we following one who claims to have “info” (ex: cult)?
- APP: Don’t fall for temptation to sin and do what feels good
-- No matter how appealing or attractive, God’s ways are what we truly need
- Why? Because when we overcome the church is given power over the nations
-- David wrote in Psalm 2:8, “Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”
Promised Reward:
• We must separate from the world – must never compromise God’s truth
• We should be examples in the church who exalt the Word and Jesus
• Must be very careful to NOT allow our ego or our preferences to lead us
- If we do, overcomers will be given the morning star – this is Jesus Christ
-- Revelation 22:16, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
-- BIG APP: If we are faithful, we will receive Him - and be His, forever!
BIG IDEA
- These four churches all have one common theme (spoiler for next week)
1. If we are doing things our own way, there will be consequences
2. If we need to repent, the time to do so is today and not tomorrow
3. If we choose Him, there will be great rewards for the faithful
4. Jesus and His ways are what we all need – even (especially) in 2023
- Pray
