lesson four letters to the seven churches Revelation 2 3 Background: The seven churches addressed in chapters two and three of the book of Revelation were actual churches located in Asia Minor during John s life. In these letters, Christ evaluated the spiritual health of church leaders and their respective congregations. The letters contained description(s) of Christ, His commendations, condemnations, warnings, and promises for those who overcome challenges. Reflection: Pray before you begin your study. Ask for understanding of these letters and how they apply to you. Overcomers To overcome [nikao to subdue, conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory, conquest, success; used 21 times in the New Testament; 6 times in 1 John; 11 times in Revelation; root of the English word Nike ] is used in a variety of contexts. To overcome is used of God prevailing in judgment (Romans 3:4), and of Christ overcoming the world, sitting down with His Father on His throne, and being worthy to open the book and its seven seals (John 16:33; Revelation 3:21; 5:5). To overcome is used of all believers [not just an elite group of saints], who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who have been born of God through faith in Christ (1 John 2:13 14; 4:4, 5:4 5). Revelation records many precious promises to overcomers: To him who overcomes I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7b) He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:11tb) To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. (Revelation 2:17b) He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26 28) He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12) He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21) Then He said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. (Revelation 21:6 7) To overcome is also used of evil (Romans 12:21), to overcome is used of evildoers (Luke 11:22), and to overcome is used of the future antichrist s slaughter of believers and control of the world during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:2; 11:7; 13:7). Believers have been enlisted in the cosmic battle between God and satan and are encouraged to overcome sin, the devil, and the corruption of the world by obedient faithful submission to the leadership of Christ, to the wisdom of the Word, and to the filling of the Spirit. We are promised that we are more than conquerors [Greek hupernikao huper over and nikao conquer pre-eminently victorious, to gain a surpassing victory] through Christ. Be of good courage, for Christ has already won the victory (Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 17:14)! * You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 33
day one Read Revelation 2:1 7. 1. Turn to Appendix B in the back of this study. Locate the seven churches on the map. 2. Analyze the church in Ephesus by answering the questions in the chart below. 3. In verse four, Jesus warned, But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. What point is Jesus making here? For additional insights read Mark 12:30 31 and Ephesians 1:15 16. 4. What are some possible reasons a church might abandon its first love? 5. Sharing: What obstacles hinder you from pursuing a wholehearted devotion to the Lord? How can you overcome them? 34
day two Read Revelation 2:8 17. 1. Analyze the church in Smyrna by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation 2:8 11). 2. Sharing: What is your view of suffering? How does Jesus view of suffering challenge you? 3. Analyze the church in Pergamum by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation 2:12 17). 4. What happens to society as a whole when local churches lower God s moral standards? 5. Sharing: How can you encourage a teenager or a young adult to remain pure in today s hypersexual culture? 35
day three Read Revelation 2:18 3:6. 1. Analyze the church in Thyatira by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation. 2:18 29). 2. In verse 23, Jesus said, I am He Who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. What kind of emotions does this evoke in you? How does this verse challenge you? 3. Analyze the church in Sardis by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation 3:1 6). 4. How can a church be alive, yet dead at the same time (Revelation 3:1)? 36
days four and five Read Revelation 2 3. 1. Analyze the church in Philadelphia by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation 3:7 13). 2. Analyze the church in Laodicea by answering the questions in the chart below (Revelation 3:14 22). 3. Sharing: Review your summary of the seven churches. a. With which of the churches do you identify? Why? b. What do you think needs to change about your life? How can we help each other? 37
4. The word overcomes is used seven times in these two chapters. Read through the box at the beginning of this lesson. Write down any new insights. 5. What new insights have you gained about Jesus Christ from these letters? 6. Sharing: If Jesus wrote you a letter, what might He say about you? Write your letter in the space provided below. 7. Sharing: In light of your letter, what steps (if any) can you take today to live your life more fully, the way God wants you to live? personal response to God Christ repeatedly said, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Ask the Spirit to make you sensitive to what pleases the Lord. Pray what the psalmist prayed below: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23 24, NLT Confess any areas that the Lord reveals. Thank Him for His forgiveness. 38