Warnings and promises for the Church revealed Chapter three Strengthen whatever remains 1. The church at Sardis was a dead church. 2. Jesus personally holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars in His hands. 3. Commendation: None. 4. Rebuke: You are dead, and you re your works are not perfect. Strengthen whatever remains 1. Threat- I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 2. Exhortation- Be watchful, strengthen the things which remain, and remember how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 1
Strengthen whatever remains 1. Promise- Overcomers will be clothed in white raiment, have names in book of life, and be confessed by name to the Father. 2. Declaration- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Stay true to Christ 1. The Philadelphia church was true to Christ in spite of persecution. 2. Jesus, holy & true, alone is worthy to open the kingdom with the key of David. 3. Commendation- You have a little strength, kept my word, and have not denied my name. 4. Rebuke: None Stay true to Christ 1. Threat: None 2. Exhortation- Hold fast to what you have, and let no one take your crown. 3. Promise- Overcomers will be pillars in the temple of God forever in His presence; and Christ will write the name of God on Him, and the name of the city of my God, and I will write upon him my new name. So-called Jews will worship before at your feet and know that I have loved thee. You will be kept from the hour of temptation. 4. Declaration- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 2
Depend on God 1. The Laodicean church was self-sufficient and independent in material wealth. 2. Jesus is the Amen, the faithful & true witness, the beginning of creation. 3. Commendation: None. 4. Rebuke: Lukewarm Christians, self-sufficient and no need for Christ. Depend on God 1. Threat: I will spue thee out of my mouth, rebuke and chasten. 2. Exhortation- Be zealous & repent. If you hear my voice, open the door. 3. Promise- Overcomers will sit with Christ in His throne. I will come and sup with him and he with me. 4. Declaration- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Overall comparison of the seven churches 1. Identification of characteristics of Christ. 2. Commendation for all but two churches. 3. Rebuke for all but two churches. 4. Threat for all but two churches. 5. Exhortation for all seven churches. 6. Promise for overcomers in all seven churches. 7. Declaration in all seven messages. Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 3
Overall comparisons 1. Smyrna and Philadelphia have no rebukes or threats from Christ. 2. Smyrna and Philadelphia were persecuted by the synagogue of Satan, which are so-called Jews. 3. Smyrna and Philadelphia are faithful to Christ in spite of persecution by the Synagogue of Satan. Overall comparisons 1. Pergamos was located in the seat of Satan and suffered martyrdom. 2. Pergamos and Thyatira have wolves within devouring the flock. 3. Ephesus has religious self-sufficiency, and Laodicea has material self-sufficiency. 4. Laodicea is the only church with a no commendations. Overall lessons 1. The first sin mentioned is the first and great sin of all. 2. All sins are preceded by failure to love God. 3. This is why failure to love God is the first and great sin. Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 4
Overall lessons- threats to church wellbeing Loveless - Ephesus Compromise - Smyrna Carnal license - Pergamos Usurpation - Thyatira Spiritually asleep - Sardis Faithless - Philadelphia Self-sufficient - Laodicea Overall lessons- The perfect church and Christians 1. Church membership 2. Love for God 3. Spirit-filled 4. Righteous living 5. Faithful in persecution 6. Watchful anticipation for Christ Overall lessons- The perfect church and Christians 7. Committed even to death 8. Winning souls 9. Making disciples 10.Humbly surrendered in dependence on Him 11.No Balaam influence to sabotage 12.No carnal Nicolaitans 13.No usurping Jezebels Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 5
Overall lessons 1. How would the seven churches think about the others? 2. Would they get along? 3. Could they tolerate each other? 4. Would they consider each other truly a church? 5. Would they try to encourage recovery? 6. Would they write the other off? Overall lessons If God is longsuffering to the lost and to Jezebels, how much more to His own? The challenge for church members is being personally uncompromised and yet loving and encouraging to provoke others to love and good works. We must not confuse patience with acceptance and tolerance of sin. He that hath an ear to hear Every message to each church has the same declaration. Each message is for all seven churches and for all other churches, as well as for every believer. They are for anyone with an ear to hear. Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 6
Questions for Revelation #3 Match two words with the appropriate church. 1. Ephesus 2. Laodicea 3. Pergamos 4. Philadelphia 5. Sardis 6. Smyrna 7. Thyatira a) Balaam b) Brotherly love c) Defiled d) Jezebel e) Good works f) Lukewarm g) Tribulation aa) Depend on God bb)keep first love cc) Little strength dd)nicolaitans ee) Poverty ff) Rod of iron gg) Strengthen the weak Patrick R. Briney Lesson 3 page 7