WEEK 3: The Seven Churches Revelation 2-3

Transcription

1 WEEK 3: The Seven Churches Revelation 2-3 The things that are (Revelation 1:19) - Jesus is going to address the current situation (late 1st-Century) - He has chosen seven literal churches - And their circumstances are real, not symbolic - Why is this important? o Remember the historical interpretive model o It views Revelation as a record of the continuous history of the church o First proposed in the 16th Century by a Puritan named Thomas Brightman Ephesus = apostolic age Smyrna = persecution of the Church through AD 313 Pergamus = compromised Church lasting until AD 500 Sardis = age of the Reformation Philadelphia = age of evangelism Laodicea = liberal churches in a present day context o o o o Fascinating, but flawed How would this have helped the seven churches? It is an example of retro-interpretation Diminishes the intended universal application Why these seven churches? o Because of their particular circumstances o Their issues were real and representative o Seven scenarios that are universal and timeless Ephesus = the orthodox, but love-less church Smyrna = the suffering church Pergamum = the worldly, compromising church Thyatira = the sin-tolerant church Sardis = the spiritually dead church Philadelphia = the faithful church Laodicea = the lukewarm, useless church o Each message contains the following: 2018 Ken Miller BAND of BROTHERS is sponsored by MOMENTUM, the ministry to men at Christ Chapel Bible Church

2 A characteristic of Jesus A commendation A correction or condemnation A challenge A call to hear and obey Ephesus The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. Revelation 2:1 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1:16 - holds = (krateō) sovereign control, power - 7 stars = 7 angels of the 7 churches - aggelos angel, one sent as a messenger - To what is Jesus referring? o Heavenly beings (guardian angels) o Human leaders (pastors/elders) To the angel of the church of Ephesus, write 2:1 to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write 2:8 to the angel of the church in Pergamum, write 2:12 to the angel of the church in Thyatira, write 2:18 to the angel of the church in Sardis, write 3:1 to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write 3:1 to the angel of the church in Laodicea, write 3:14 o Why would Jesus have John tell angels to repent? (2:5, 16; 3:3) to be faithful unto death? (2:10) to hold fast what you have until I come? (2:25; 3:11) they are dead? (3:1) they have but little power? (3:8) they re wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked? (3:17) o These are messages to the leaders of these seven churches o This was a common designation for a religious leader This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger [aggelos] before your face, who will prepare your way before you. Matthew 11:10 ESV Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger [aggelos] greater than the one who sent him. John 13:16 ESV

3 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger [aggelos] and minister to my need. Philippians 2:25 ESV Smyrna The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Revelation 2:8 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1: first and last He is eternal - who died and came to life He is the guarantee of our eternity victory over death Pergamum The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. Revelation 2:12 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1:16 - two-edged sword justifies & judges, saves & strikes, defends & destroys Thyatira The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. Revelation 2:18 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1: eyes like a flame of fire He sees all - Nothing escapes His penetrating gaze - feet like burnished bronze judgment - He is holy, pure, and just in His judgment Sardis The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Revelation 3:1 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1:4 - seven spirits The fulness of God s Spirit - Jesus is represented in His church through the indwelling Spirit - Ties in to Revelation 1:16 - seven stars The 7 leaders of the 7 churches - Jesus has The Spirit was given by Christ, as was the leadership of the church Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11 NLT Philadelphia The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7 ESV

4 The term overcome plays an important role in Revelation. To the victorious or overcomers in each congregation Jesus promises future blessings: eternal life, provision, justice, participation in Christ s victory, and the very presence of God. J. Scott Duvall, Teaching the Text Commentary Series: Revelation o SEE CHARTS ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Why do you think the vision that John saw in chapter one plays such a prominent role in these chapters? In what ways does the church get itself into trouble by losing sight of who Christ is and what He has done? Seven different times, Jesus spoke of the need to overcome or conquer. Why did He stress this so often and so strongly? What does it say to you?

5 - Ties in to Revelation 1:18 - the key He has conquered death and Hades - He is holy as God is holy You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. John 6:68-69 ESV - He is true and authentic - He is truth itself I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV Laodicea The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. Revelation 3:14 ESV - Ties in to Revelation 1:5 - faithful witness the Amen faithful, sure, true - He is the origin of all creation - Nothing was created except through Him (John 1:3) Why is any of this important? - It s the primary point of these two chapters - NOT the behavior of the various churches - Jesus is emphasizing Himself - The success or failure of the churches is directly tied to their understanding of who He is o How did the church at Ephesus know there were false apostles? (2:2) Because they knew the One who holds the seven stars (messengers) in His right hand o Why did Jesus threaten to remove their lampstand? (2:5) Because they had left their first love Jesus, the One who walks among the lampstands (churches), threatens to remove their effectiveness They loved the local church more than the One who established it o Why did Jesus stress conquering or overcoming? The emphasis is on the reward for overcoming It s not about love of orthodoxy or love of the church It s about love for Christ Conquers nikaō overcomes, gets the victory

6 Week 4 Homework: Holy, Holy, Holy Revelation 4:1-11 Read Revelation chapter 4:1-11, as well as pages of the Devotionary blog. As you read what Jesus has to say to each of the seven churches, look for any similarities you find in His description of Himself to the churches and how John described seeing Him in chapter one, verses How would you have felt had you been on the receiving end of the message given to John in verse 1? Without the use of any commentaries or outside help, write down what you think each of the following items represent as described by John in Revelation 4:2-8: A thone The appearance of jasper and carnelian A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald 24 thrones and 24 elders White garments

7 Golden crowns Flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peels of thunder A sea of glass like crystal Four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind A creature like a lion A creature like an ox A creature with a face like a man A creature like an eagle in flight Finally, look at what the four creatures and the 24 elders had to say about Jesus. While these words are very familiar to most of us, what should be our reaction to them?

8 THE CHURCHES OF REVELATION 2-3 The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. Repent or face removal of their effectiveness Jesus would judge them by allowing them to become irrelevant EPHESUS They hate falsehood They love orthodoxy They endure patiently They had replaced their love for Christ and others with a love for being right Focus on future reward Eternal life is the objective The words of the first and last, who died and came to life. Be faithful unto death He reminds them of the crown of life smyrna They suffer persecution They endure poverty They are surrounded by wickedness You fear death You lack faith Focus on eternal life Do not fear the first death (martyrdom) or the second death (hell) The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. Repent! Or Jesus will war against them with the sword of His mouth He will protect and preserve His church pergamum They are surrounded by wickedness, but remain steadfast in their faith You put up with false teaching You compromise with the world in order to fit in Jesus reminds them that He has something in store for them Hidden manna (supernatural provision) A white stone (divine recognition) The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. Repent or face judgment! His eyes search the mind and heart He will judge eaach accordingly thyatira He commends them for their works, love, faith, and service You tolerate false teaching You practice immorality You have lost your set-apartness Jesus calls them to hold fast to the end They are to overcome to the end There is a reward waiting for them

9 The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. sardis They have a reputation for good works There are a few who remain unsoiled Remember what you received! Keep it and repent! Wake up! Rely on the Spirit and those in authority over them Or face His unexpected judgment Your works are lacking You appear spiritually alive, but are dead Your effectiveness as a church is waining Those who remain unsoiled (pure) will receive white garments He calls them to overcome in this life by focusing on the reward of eternal life The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one will open. I am coming soon, so, hold fast! I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut You have little power, but you are loved philadelphia They have kept His word and not denied His name They have patiently endured There is none! I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God s creation. I am going to vomit you out of my mouth I am going to reprove and discipline you because I love you I am knocking. Repent and open the door. laodicea There is none They are spiritually lukewarm They are prideful and blind to their true spiritual condition Pursue restored fellowship with me Focus on the victory to come in the hereafter, not the pleasures of the here-and-now

10 THE CHURCHES OF REVELATION 2-3 DESTINATION THE LORD COMMENDATION CONDEMNATION EXHORTATION PROMISE 1 John 5:4-5 EPHESUS 2:1-7 Free city Holding 7 Works Remember Eternal Acts 19:35 stars Endurance Repent (Tree of life) Temple of Diana Walking Discernment Left first love Repeat first Commercial among the Hatred of the works center churches Nicolaitans SMYRNA 2:8-11 Trade center Resurrection Beautiful city to life (no Free city Guarantor of Spiritual None Do not fear part in 2nd Center of resurrection wealth Do be faithful death) Caesar worship Jewish population PERGAMUM 2: ,000 Idolatry volume library Judge Steadfast Immorality Repent Christ is Worship of (sword) License sufficient Asklepios Center of Caesar worship ThYATIRA 2:18-29 Trade center Judge Increasing Following Avoid the Sharing (Acts 16:14) (eyes/feet) number of Jezebel s sins of Christ s Guilds good works teachings & Jezebel rule and practices fellowship sardis 3:1-6 Trade center, dyeing Wise and Only a few Lifeless Remember Assurance Worship of sovereign remained profession Repent of eternal Cybele one faithful Incomplete Watch life Loose living works philadelphia 3:7-13 Grape growing Using Humiliation Worship of Holy, true, opprotunities None Hold fast of enemies Dionysius sovereign A litte power Deliverance Earthquakes Keeping His I come word Fidelity quickly Honor identification laodicea 3:14-22 Banking center Faithful Spiritual Find true Continuing Black wool and true None profession riches in and bountiful Medicines Spiritual Christ fellowship poverty with Christ