Letter 3: Pergamum 2:12-17 Vision of the Seven Letters 1:12 3:22 Please keep in mind the simple theme of Revelation, God Wins! Also, don t forget that the book of Revelation is filled with word pictures. When reading it, it is helpful to pretend you are walking through an art gallery. The Vision of the Seven Letters continues through the end of chapter 3. Pergamum was the ancient capital of the Roman province of Asia and the official center for the region s emperor worship. It was here that Antipas, bishop of the church in Pergamum, became the first martyr of Asia, supposedly roasted to death in a huge bronze kettle shaped like a bull. This was during the persecution under Emperor Domitian. Pergamum also boasted a temple dedicated to Zeus, the cult of Athena (the warrior goddess), and the shrine of Aesculapius with its reputation for dream cures. A serpent (snake) was its distinguishing emblem. 1) I know where you live. What comfort does this statement contain? Why might this statement frighten us? 2) Throughout the course of history, God s church has been strongest when God s people were being openly, physically persecuted. Why do you think that is? What does this mean for the Christian Church in America today? 3) Although the Pergamum believers stood tall against outward persecution, what was their sin? The Old Testament reference is to Numbers 22-24. There we read about Balaam, son of Beor, resident of Pethor. He was a soothsayer, a diviner, a prophet. Balak, king of Moab, asked Balaam to curse the Israelites. But whenever Balaam tried to curse them, a blessing came out! (God s doing!) Finally, however, Balaam --driven by his greed to get the large retaining fee offered by the king--figured out a way to ruin Israel by getting them to fall prey to the Moabite religion. Balaam urged the king to seduce the Israelites into eating things sacrificed to idols and into committing adultery with the daughters of Moab. (Numbers 25:1-2, Exodus 34:14-15) Please note: Back in verse 6, we read how the church at Ephesus stood strong against the Nicolaitans. There we learned this was a heretical group, possibly named for Nicolas, proselyte of Antioch and one of the first seven deacons, who tolerated (encouraged?) idolatry and immorality. (Acts 6:5) - 1 -
4) What is true, God-pleasing repentance? 5) All these letters conclude with a challenge to listen and then a promise. Each promise is worded in a way that is especially fitting for the congregation. Manna was God s blessing to the children of Israel during their years of wilderness wandering. Psalm 78:25. We Christians also are blessed with a hidden manna. Jesus himself talked about this in his famous Bread of Life Sermon. John 6:33. Since we are so richly blessed with manna from our Lord, why would we cave in to the sensual cravings that all-too-often went along with food sacrificed to idols? (Temple prostitution was common in the ancient world.) The white stone was a voting stone used at trials. It indicated a not guilty verdict. All who believe in Jesus are not guilty by reason of faith, no matter what sins may stain our past. (Isaiah 1:18, Romans 8:1) Letter 4: Thyatira 2:18-29 Lydia (Acts 16:14) was from Thyatira, a town known for its many trade guilds. 1) The letter comes directly from Jesus. It is not the product of man. The description given for Jesus in verse 18 matches the one we saw back in 1:14-15. 2) This church receives a brief commendation. What is it? 3) Jesus really scolds (condemns) this congregation. Why? (Compare with James 5:19-20) 4) How does Jesus scolding here find particular application to us today? 5) I will repay each of you according to your deeds. The punishment will fit the crime. Here physical suffering is the threatened punishment for the sins of Jezebel and her followers. (See also Romans 1:27) Please Note: King Ahab married the wicked Jezebel who then brought her pagan background and influence into the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jezebel set up worship centers for her false gods. (1 Kings 16:31-33) In a similar way, the Jezebel in Thyatira called herself a prophetess. (2:20) She must have claimed the gift of getting direct messages from God even though those messages went against his written Word! 6) What good can come even if the Lord carries through with his fierce punishment? 7) Satan s so-called deep secrets may refer to early Gnosticism. Briefly describe this early, New Testament movement. - 2 -
8) Why would the promise of authority over nations be of particular comfort to first-century believers like those at Thyatira? (Compare Psalm 2 and Matthew 19:28) 9) What does Jesus give with the morning star? Compare Revelation 22:16 Letter 5: Sardis 3:1-6 Sardis was the ancient capitol of Lydia, well-known, and very, very rich. 1) We understand the seven spirits of God to be a reference to the Holy Spirit, because this is what the term meant back in chapter 1:4. 2) Jesus again begins with scolding (condemnation). This isn t a good sign. What s the problem? 3) I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. This verse is really the flip side of James 2:26. (Compare also 1 Samuel 16:7) 4) Sardis and Laodicea were not tormented by persecution. Yet, though they were surrounded by blessings and blessed by being materially wealthy, these congregations grew very apathetic. Sadly, it is not hard to draw lots of parallels to our own time and place. What are some? wake up! Jesus used the same language. So did the Apostle Paul. Consider Mark 13:32-34, Ephesians 5:14-18, etc. 5) Dressed in white: White is the color of purity, and Scripture uses this color to emphasize the purity that is ours in Jesus Christ. Compare Revelation 7:14. Then also check Isaiah 64:6 and Isaiah 61:10 to see the dramatic change that becomes ours by faith when we are clothed in Christ. (Galatians 3:29) Finally compare to Isaiah 1:18, and think of those stories Jesus told about the wedding garments. 6) Book of life: This book is mentioned seven times in the book of Revelation! (13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27, 22:19) Compare Exodus 32:32, Psalm 69:27-28; Daniel 12:1, Philippians 4:3, etc. - 3 -
7) Jesus will acknowledge us before the Father. What does this mean? Remember also that Jesus wants us to acknowledge him before men. Compare Matthew 10:32 Discuss: What practical application do we gain from the previous three letters? Letter 6: Philadelphia 3:7-13 Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, was a bustling city of trade. The area around Philadelphia was known for its horrendous earthquakes. Early in the first century, the city itself had been completely destroyed! The city still exists today (Alasehir) and contains a number of Christian congregations. 1) Philadelphia and Smyrna receive only praise from the Lord Jesus. What was her strength? (vs. 8, vs. 10) 2) Jesus holds the key of David. Compare Isaiah 22:22 and Matthew 16:19. Explain the privilege and responsibility of using the ministry of the keys. 3) How do we understand the open door that Jesus promised to this church? 4) Verse nine has been quoted to prove a mass conversion of the Jews. (Compare this with Romans 11:26). However, both references need context in order to be understood properly. As an additional homework project, study Romans 9-11. Focus on this question. How does Paul define the term Israel? After that exercise, analyze the promise of Revelation 3:9. 5) hour of trial This is picture language which assures us this trial will be relatively brief, just as Jesus had promised. (Compare Matthew 24:22) 6) I am coming soon. This phrase ends up being a major theme in this book and a major source of comfort for tired believers in any age. (Compare 22:20) To this promise we believers respond, E en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come. 7) Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. As noted above, the city of Philadelphia was in a quake-prone area. In fact, the city had been leveled by a quake in the first century. - 4 -
Imagine the comfort of this promise when extended to people who knew what it was like to live through an earthquake! 8) Christ s new name, given to each of his followers, is beautifully described in Philippians 2:9. Letter 7: Laodicea 3:14-22 This was a very wealthy city. It served as a center for banking, was home to a medical school, and also was a hub for the textile industry. However, the city had one huge problem: an inadequate water supply! This town was not far from Colossae, and Paul mentions the Laodiceans four times in the letter to the Colossians. (Colossians 2:1, 4:13,15,16) 1) In Laodicea we find Christians living in a relatively wealthy setting. And their problem? Being luke-warm. Why do you think this problem keeps popping up among those who are well-off? What modern-day term do we use for this spiritual malady? How can we Christians fight it? 2) Notice that there is no commendation in this final letter. That is tragic. 3) Christ s solution for Laodicea? Buy gold, white clothes, salve. (verse 18) Remember Laodicea was a wealthy city. She was home to a government mint, an expansive textile industry, and a medical school famous for its eye salve. Jesus urges them to replace their temporary earthly treasures with eternal ones. What wording might Jesus use today to call us away from our love of things? There is a similar buying encouragement found in Isaiah. Consult Isaiah 55:1-2. See also Proverbs 23:23. 4) Jesus stands at the door and knocks. This verse has been captured in a well-known picture. How do some misinterpret the picture and the verse? Discussion: Taken as a whole, what do we learn from this first vision, the vision of the seven letters? - 5 -