WELCOME TO THE DRAMA OF REVELATION A Study of The Book of REVELATION SESSION III 01/31/17 THE PROLOGUE Chapter 1 1
THE PROLOGUE God gave this revelation to Jesus Christ to show to his servants the things that must soon take place (v.2) that we might hear and keep what is written. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near (v. 3). WHAT PORTRAIT OF JESUS CHRIST IS GIVEN? Revelation 1:12-20 2
SYMBOLISM FOUND IN CHAPTER 1 THE NUMBER THREE Three is the symbolic number of the Trinity. Rev. 1:3 Rev. 1:4 Rev. 1:5 Rev. 1:5-6 Rev. 1:8 Rev. 1:18 3
GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM HIM WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, AND FROM THE SEVEN SPIRITS WHO ARE BEFORE HIS THRONE, AND FROM JESUS CHRIST Revelation 1:4-5 THE NUMBER SEVEN Seven Golden Candlesticks (v. 12) The Seven Churches (They hold the light of the Gospel). Christ is The Light, His Gospel is our lamp. The seven churches are the golden candlesticks, for they should be precious and pure (like fine gold). Seven Stars (v. 16) The ministers (angels) of the seven churches. They are under Christ s direction, and have all their light and influence from Him. Two-edged Sword (v. 16) The Word of God. His Word both wounds and heals, strikes at sin on the right hand and on the left (Hebrews 4:12). Seven-fold description of Christ Rev. 1:14-16 4
WRITE THEREFORE THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN, THOSE THAT ARE AND THOSE THAT ARE TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS (REV. 1:19). Those things that you have seen (Past) Chapter 1 Those things that are (Present) Chapters 2 & 3 Those things that are to take place (Future) Chapters 4 22 WRITE THEREFORE THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN, THOSE THAT ARE AND THOSE THAT ARE TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS. YOU HAVE SEEN 5
THE PROCLAMATION: LETTERS TO THE SEVEN ES Revelation 2 & 3 JOHN S GREETING REVELATION 1:4-8 Although there were more churches in Asia, John wrote to the seven churches in Asia. The seven individual, historical churches of Asia may represent for John the complete church of Asia or the complete Church of all generations that needs to hear this message. Nonetheless, these letters were written to seven literal churches. 6
JUDGEMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD! Imagine that Jesus wrote a personal letter to your church (to you). What would He say in that letter? JUDGEMENT BEGINS AT THE HOUSE OF GOD Before the Apocalypse presents any message of judgment on the unbelieving world, it first calls the churches to repentance. Judgment must begin at the house of God! If the local churches are not a proper expression of God s truth and righteousness, how can they sow seeds of hope, transform lives, and reclaim the world for the Savior? In these letters, we find the Lord lovingly, but firmly, speaking to His Church. 7
The seven churches are seven literal churches that existed in modern day Turkey. THE SEVEN ES Ephesus was the largest city in the area and presumably the largest church. All seven were connected by the local Roman highway. THE SEVEN ES The message to each church follows the same sevenfold pattern: Commission: To the angel of the church in Character: The One who says this Commendation: I know your deeds Condemnation: But I have this against you Correction: Repent, turn, change Call: He who has an ear, let him hear Challenge: To him who overcomes 8
WHICH ARE YOU? Ephesus: The Preoccupied Church Smyrna: The Persecuted Church Pergamum: The Political Church Thyatira: The Prosperous Church Sardis: The Powerless Church Philadelphia: The Persevering Church Laodicea: The Putrid Church MESSAGE TO EPHESUS: THE PREOCCUPIED The church at Ephesus was one of the outstanding churches of the apostolic era. Paul, Timothy, and John all served in this church. The Lord commends them for their labor, patience, fidelity, and endurance (Rev. 2:2-3). The constant lure of temptation was all around them, but they remained true to Christ. This was a privileged church! 9
MESSAGE TO EPHESUS: THE PREOCCUPIED But as time went on, they had begun to lose their first priority and become preoccupied with other things. The church s first love could refer to several things: its love for Christ, the fervency of new believers, or the basic priorities of the church. As time went on, their love had diminished. Their church life was filled with other priorities. The basics of Christian living were being neglected. So the Lord of the Church calls them back to their original commitment to those basic priorities. He calls them to repent and reinstate their original commitments. Otherwise, He threatens to come and remove their lampstand. MESSAGE TO SMYRNA: THE PERSECUTED The church at Smyrna had suffered often at the hands of the Romans and would suffer even more in the years to come. The Jewish population in Smyrna was anti-christian. However, the church at Smyrna grew into one of the most revered and influential churches of its time because its leaders were willing to lay down their lives for Christ and the gospel. 10
MESSAGE TO SMYRNA: THE PERSECUTED Four things characterized the suffering of the believers at Smyrna: poverty, slander, prison, and death. There are no words of condemnation for this church, neither a call to repentance. They are told they are rich in Christ and exhorted to be faithful until death. MESSAGE TO PERGAMUM: THE POLITICAL The most famous city in Asia. There was no distinction between religion and politics in Pergamum. Christ is depicted as holding a two-edged sword. He reminds His Church that He alone is sovereign and supreme. He alone has all the power! 11
MESSAGE TO PERGAMUM: THE POLITICAL The church at Pergamum had two doctrinal errors that Christ addressed in the church: The doctrine of Balaam (a little idolatry, immorality, or compromise of the truth couldn t really hurt anything) The doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Christian freedom means lawlessness ). Christ called the church to love the truth, desire holiness, repent. MESSAGE TO THYATIRA: THE PROSPEROUS A manufacturing center with little political or religious significance. Religion in Thyatira was connected to material prosperity and participation in the trade unions and organizations. Christ commended the church for its charity, service, faith, patience, and good works qualities that were encouraged by strong Christian women. 12
MESSAGE TO THYATIRA: THE PROSPEROUS However, a powerful woman, symbolically called Jezebel, had influence so great that she encouraged believers to participate in the union festivals committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols. The Lord s message to the believers at Thyatira was both ethical as well as doctrinal. He criticized their practice more than their doctrine. The Lord reminds them that He has eyes like a flame of fire which penetrate the human heart and real its secret desires. MESSAGE TO SARDIS: THE POWERLESS The Church at Sardis was a church ready to die. This was a dead church. The church stopped preaching and teaching the gospel, and so it turned inward and was self destructing. There was no vigilance. 13
MESSAGE TO SARDIS: THE POWERLESS The Lord challenged the church to strengthen the things that remain. Remember how you were first converted to Christ. Get back to the basics of New Testament Christianity. Keep the truth. Repent of your apathy. Become vigilant and diligent in your walk with God. MESSAGE TO PHILADELPHIA: THE PERSEVERING The church at Philadelphia was one of the strongest of the seven congregations. It was a church with missionary zeal and spiritual commitment. Outwardly, it was small and poor compared to the church at Sardis. But inwardly, it was a dynamic and faithful church. The church stood firm in its faith, despite persecution from the local Jewish synagogue. 14
MESSAGE TO PHILADELPHIA: THE PERSEVERING The church at Philadelphia had only a little power, but the Lord promised to do great things through them. The church of the open door, represents the ideal church in many ways. Open door symbolizes their great opportunity The key of David represents Christ s authority The pillar of God s temple depicts our security The names reveal the assurance of our new nature and eternal destiny. MESSAGE TO LAODICEA: THE PUTRID Laodicea is one of the most well known of the seven churches. This church was considered lukewarm, taken from the contrasting hot springs of nearby Hierapolis and the pure, cold waters of Colossae. By contrast, Laodicea was lukewarm. There are no words of commendation for this church. 15
MESSAGE TO LAODICEA: THE PUTRID Their material prosperity wasn t being used for God. Their self-sufficiency only kept them from reliance upon the total sufficiency of God. The Lord s letter was one of stern rebuke. MESSAGE TO THE SEVEN ES Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Christ Commends Condemns Corrects Walks among lampstands The first and the last Sharp two-edged sword Eyes like a flame of fire Seven Spirits of God Who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens Faithful and true witness Toil and perseverance Tribulation and poverty Did not deny My faith Left first love False doctrine Repent Be faithful Repent Love and ministry False doctrine Hold fast Open door Spiritually dead Lukewarm Repent Hold fast Open the door 16
WRAP-UP 1. Of the seven churches, which church are you (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19, 20; 12:27)? What message of commendation, condemnation, and correction would God send you? 2. What truths did you realize about the Revelation from reading Chapters 2 & 3 that you did not realize before? 3. How does the truths in this chapter apply to and affect your life? IN PREPARATION FOR NEXT WEEK READ REVELATION 4 & 5 Session 1 Introduction and Background to Revelation Session 2 The Prologue (Chapter 1): Vision of the Coming King Session 3 The Proclamation (Chapters 2 & 3): Letters to the Seven Churches Session 4 The Problem (Chapters 4 & 5): Seven- Sealed Scroll 17