Revelation: Segment II - Jesus and His Church (Rev. 1:8-3:22)

continued from previous page...

Now we will get into letters addressed to each of the seven representative churches.

The Letters to the 7 Churches (2.3-2.9)

Letter Structure:

1. “To the angel of _________ write...”
2. A description of Jesus from the vision
3. Positive(s) (“I know...”)
4. Contrast (“But...”)
5. Causation (“Therefore...”)
6. “He who has an ear...”
7. “To him who overcomes....”

Pay attention to deviations from this structure, they are significant.

From this vision Jesus is going to send seen letters to the seven churches. A COMPLETE message to the churches.

Who Jesus is sets the standard for how the church is… (eg. sincere in love…)

"The title of our Lord in each case accords with the nature of the address, and is mainly taken from the imagery of the vision, Rev. 1:12-16." -JFB

"Their order seems to be ecclesiastical, civil, and geographical: Ephesus first, as being the Asiatic metropolis (termed “the light of Asia,” and “first city of Asia”), the nearest to Patmos, where John received the epistle to the seven churches, and also as being that Church with which John was especially connected; then the churches on the west coast of Asia; then those in the interior. " -JFB

"re-read Revelation 2:1 through Revelation 3:22, which talks about the “seven letters to the seven churches.” This passage of Scripture was given to John by Jesus not only about seven existing churches at that time, but also about all churches in general and about each of us individually. In other words, these letters are written to all churches of all ages and all individuals in every age." -Nancy Missler

"The “rewards of inheritance” that are promised to each of these churches, and to the individuals in them who overcome, apply to all of us. Consequently, we need to listen carefully to what Jesus is saying." -Nancy Missler

"It’s important to also note that seven times in these letters to the seven churches, Jesus says (through John), “I know your works.” In other words, Jesus is emphasizing “works” in these letters...“My works.” Jesus says. He is talking about the things that are done by the Holy Spirit through us. He is not referring to the “works” of the flesh, but to the “works” of the Spirit." -Nancy Missler

He who has an ear…hear…what the SPIRIT says… this phrase is repeated in every letter. So lets discuss it now. This is a SPIRITUAL message. The spirit is speaking to you. If this is just theory to you, there hasn’t been personal conviction, you don’t have ears that are listening (and you should be nervous about any decision you’re making) If you’re not spirit led, what are you?

Ephesus (Loveless Church) [Rev. 2:1-7]

(2:1) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: (2) 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; (3) and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. (4) 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (5) 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent. (6) 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

Pagan Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Maerten Van Heemskerck, Life Magazine 1901

1st letter: to Ephesus. Jesus knows all these great things about them but holds one thing against them. This one thing they’ve left is in opposition to all the good things they are doing.

Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [ESV]

church - εκκλησιας (ekklēsias), "a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly" (Thayer's Lexicon)

Ephesus - literally means "permitted". Ephesus was the chief city of "Asia", three miles from its western coast. Having an artificial harbor accessible to the largest of ships, as well as easy access to the interior of Asia minor by a major valley and highways, it was the most accessible city in (the province of) Asia. The city commanded a beautiful view, had a comfortable climate, and unusually fertile soil. Pergamos was the major rival city to Ephesus within the province. Its flourishing church was planted by Paul (see Acts 19), and Paul spent significant time there with his ministry work. Ephesus boasted the pagan temple of Diana and the largest open air theatre of the day.

Positives: Toil, Perseverance, Endurance, Intolerance of Evil, etc.

(2:2) 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (3) I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. [ESV]

Positives: Toil, perseverance, endurance, testing

Deeds/Works -

Labor/Toil - has a connotation of labor to the point of weariness

Patient endurance - "the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings" -Thayer

Not tolerating evil ones - they do not put up with bad natured people who have a wrong or wicked way of thinking, feeling, or acting. These people are described by Thayer's Lexicon as troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, or baneful.

Test apostles - Earlier, in the letter of 1 Timothy, Timothy had been encouraged by Paul to remain in Ephesus to instruct others not to teach false/"other" doctrine (1Tim. 1:3). And here they are praised for their rooting out deceitful/false apostles.

Negatives: Doing the Right Thing with Wrong Heart (Left First Love)

(2:4) 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (6) Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Note that the "but" in this verse is not the commonly used greek word for but (δέ/de), but rather is a much less common word for but, ἀλλά (alla) which would be differentiated as meaning more so "none the less" or "despite of all that". AKA...this is a big but, not a minor one.

What did Jesus have against this church (Ephesus)? They had left their first love. First (protos) could mean either first in time/chronologically, or first in rank/significance. Love, here, is agape, or brotherly love. This is the same word for love as in 1 Cor. 13, where love is ranked of foremost importance out of all the spiritual gifts. Agape is also the kind of love used in Mark 12:28-31 (and repeated in the other gospels) to instruct that the most important commandment was to love God wholeheartedly, and second to love others as well.

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mk. 12:30-31)

If I have the gift of prophecy...and if I have all faith....but do not have love, I am nothing. (1Co 13:2) Let all that you do be done in love. (1Co 16:14)

"the love of the saints to God, and Christ, and one another, which appeared at the beginning of this church state, when they were all of one heart and one soul, as generally at first conversion love is the warmest; and so it was at the first planting of Gospel churches, and therefore here called first love. Now this, though it was not lost, for the true grace of love can never be lost, yet it was left" (Gill)

"Eph 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints..."

What was Jesus' solution, therefore? They should remember where they'd fallen from, repent, and do their first works again.

"They were to continue their service not simply because it was right but because they loved Christ." -BKC

What threat is made if they don't follow through and do as suggested? Their lampstand will be removed.

"Work for God must be motivated by love for God, or it will not last." -Life Application Study Bible

Who were the Nicolatians? "There has been much speculation concerning the identity of the Nicolaitans, but the Scriptures do not specify who they were. They apparently were a sect wrong in practice and in doctrine" (BKC). The Nicolatians are mentioned again in 2:15 in the description of the church of Pergamum, clarifying the sorts of practices and doctrine associated with that sect.

Toil, perseverance, endurance, testing, cannot replace a sincere love for Jesus.

You can’t fool the Lord. Activity does not equate to love. You can be busy but not love.

You cannot compensate for distance from Jesus with more ministry.

Loving Jesus = foundation everything else is built off. Therefore remember where you have fallen from. Love is the high mark (vs. a life of “success”). A genuine (sincere) love for the Lord is the highest goal. You should be more in love with Jesus today than you were a year ago. It shouldn’t be diminishing. Have you fallen? (Jesus’s definition of falling does not mean sin, but doing the right things with the wrong heart).

Can you remember a time when you loved Him more? If you can move on to #2, repent and pursue your first love: stop and hang out with Jesus. Are you doing the things that promote love? Start pursuing love and not just accepting that you’ve fallen out of that. There is no such thing as “falling” out of love, you leave it; IF you’re not feeling it, you left it. We have a natural predisposition to sin. John’s solution is not to disengage from works. He says to keep doing the deeds, but out of love (adoration), not obligation.

Another contrast (v6): you don’t love what I love but at least you hate what I hate. The application here = repent (realize who you’re being cold-hearted to…)

Rev 2:

Most of us don’t actively TRY to leave love, we get distracted and it’s a slow process, an orientation toward something else (wheat among the tares, competing desires).

Overcomers: Eat of the Tree of Life

(7) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Deeds don’t compete with love. Deeds demonstrate the reality of your love. You can change but it requires overcoming, takes effort, there’s an obstacle in your way. Jesus promises the over-comer (v 7) the tree of life (eternal life) in the paradise of God. Implication on salvation: eternal life is about loving God.

This is a reward because that’s what Jesus wants you to do for eternity. Doesn’t want half-heartedness, empty works, not looking for “success”, he’s looking for you to be loving.

Jesus described himself to the church of Ephesus: seven stars…seven gold lamp-stands = churches…

Jesus is walking with the church actively…right there to love.

Do everything you do out of love to him. Start doing things/ministry as a message of love.

What is the "tree of life"? The tree of life first appeared in the bible in Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, mentioned in Genesis 2:9 (and Gen. 3:22-24), and man was prohibited from eating of this tree in Gen 3:22-24. However, overcomers will one day be permitted to eat of this tree. "The tree of life originally stood in the Garden of Eden (Gen_2:9). By partaking of its fruit, man had eternal life. But through the Fall, man lost access to the tree (Gen_3:22-24). " (TOJC)

"To eat of the tree of life expresses participation in the life eternal. The figure of the tree of life appears in all mythologies from India to Scandinavia." (VWS)

The tree of life is a common motif for righteousness and wisdom in Scripture (Psa_1:3; Pro_3:18; Pro_11:30; Pro_13:12; Pro_15:4) for it is by righteousness and wisdom that life is lived to the full. For this reason, the Jews referred to the Word of God as the "tree of life". (TOJC)

What is the "paradise of God"? "Luk_23:43; 2Co_12:4. The abode of God and the home of the redeemed with Christ" (RWP). "Heaven, represented as paradise. To be permitted to eat of that tree, that is, of the fruit of that tree, is but another expression implying the promise of eternal life, and of being happy forever." (Barnes)

"The location of paradise after the victory of Jesus on the cross moved to heaven, for Paul was " caught up into Paradise" [emphasis added] where he heard inexpressible words (2Co_12:4). Essentially, the term describes the abode of righteous men upon death:" (TOJC)

"He is thus restored to what he might have been if he had not transgressed by eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; and in the Paradise Regained, the blessings of the Paradise Lost will be more than recovered - for man may now live forever in a far higher and more blessed state than his would have been in Eden." (Barnes)

"the tree of life means being equipped with a “special wisdom and knowledge” for the future kingdom) Proverbs 3:18; 11:30. This tree of Life first appears in Genesis where it says man was created to rule and reign with the King of Kings over all the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28) Then, it disappears on the earth for 6000 years because man was not in a position to rule and reign with Christ. But, here in Revelation, it shows up again in the Millennial Kingdom as man will, once again, be in a position to co-reign (Genesis 1:26-28). So, the “tree of life” has something to do with our future inheritance in the Millennial Kingdom. It has to do with special wisdom and knowledge in order to co-reign with Christ. (Proverbs 3:13-18)" -Nancy Missler

Ephesus Summary

You can’t compensate for distance from Jesus with more ministry.

Smyrna (Persecuted Church) [Rev. 2:8-11]

Izmir (Smyrna) is Turkey's Main Port for Exports
Used by Permission of David Phillips

v. 8: Jesus is described as:

• The first and the last
• who was dead and has come to life

v. 9: Jesus knows:

• their tribulation
• their poverty (but they are rich)
• the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews but aren’t (really are a synagogue of Satan)

v 10: Instructed to:

• not fear what they are about to endure
• endure the devil casting them into prison for testing
• endure tribulation for ten days
• be faithful unto death ( given crown of life)

v. 11: Overcomers get:

• will not be hurt by second death

This church has a lot of deviation from the standard structure.

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: (Rev 2:8)

v. 8: Jesus is described as:

• The first and the last
• Eternal, encompassing all time
• who was dead and has come to life
• Death is not the end, it is only temporary.

Positives: Tribulation. Negatives: None

'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (Rev 2:9)

v. 9: Jesus knows:

• their tribulation
• their poverty (but they are rich)
• God’s perspective is often very different from our own.
• the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews but aren’t (really are a synagogue of Satan)

Two instances here where perception doesn’t match reality: Those who think they are poor are really rich, and some of those who think they are Jews are really of the Synagogue of Satan. You can look “on top of things” but really be a meaty place for the devil.

Structure deviation: There is no contrast here, there is nothing negative Jesus has to say about this church.

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10)

v 10: Instructed to:

• not fear what they are about to endure
• Our attitude in testing should not be one of fear
• endure the devil casting them into prison for testing
• Testing = so that you will be tried/proven
• You have to put things under stress/strain to test them, you are not proven by the good/easy times.
• Analogy: engineering testing
• You do everything you can think of that might cause the product to fail, and see whether it can successfully withstand the abuse. If not there’s a defect that needs fixing. If it succeeds its production ready.
• Our thinking is to run from testing, but really we grow from testing.
• endure tribulation for ten days
• This is a short and fixed period of time. It has a distinct end, it’s not permanent. The testing will end. Be faithful for the whole short period of testing. The end is not to make your life difficult.
• be faithful unto death ( given crown of life)
• You could die. This church is one that is willing to die for Him (and one of only two that Jesus has nothing against)

Are you afraid of trail? Of things going wrong or bad? You getting hurt? Maybe you need an attitude adjustment.

Overcomers: Will Not Be Hurt by Second Death

'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.' (Rev 2:11)

v. 11: Overcomers get:

• will not be hurt by second death
• Jesus described himself as the one who resurrects. Death is not something we should fear (Jesus has been there and done that), its only temporary, and not eternal for those who love the Lord.
• The second death won’t hurt, but the first might.
• First death = the physical body, Second death = eternal separation from God. Both are separations. The first = momentary, in the context of time, there is an end to the pain associated with it. The second = in the context of eternity, and the pain associated with it = eternal.
• Pain now means you won’t suffer the second death. It is worth suffering, pain, and difficulty in this death to avoid the second death.

What is overcame? Fear of suffering in this life. Guarantee? Won’t be touched by the second death. Implication: This life is about bringing glory to God, not avoiding suffering. Don’t be imprisoned by fear.

• How do you think you’d handle the test of being put in jail/tortured/killed for the gospel? Is fear or faith the dominant factor for you?
• How do you respond to the testing of inconvenience?
• Would you get ready to get tested to the point of death?
• Being faithful in the little things helps you to be faithful over much.

Pergamum (Compromising Church) [Rev. 2:12-17]

Positives: Hold Fast to Jesus Name, Don’t Deny Faith

'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Rev 2:13)

I know: where you dwell--the hood, where Satan's throne is (the Capital of Satan in modern vernacular). He's not God's counterpart. He's not omnipresent. So he has a base of operations (at this time in Pergamum).

Their surroundings are hostile, probably the most hostile possible. Yet they've held fast to God in that environment. The price of that? Martyrdom (like Antipas). This means they are committed...to death (which is a very real potential for them).

Negatives: Teaching Doctrine of Idols, Prosperity, & Pleasure

'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. (Rev 2:14)

Note that we have a FEW things against them, which is more than before in the other letters.

Who were Balaam and Balak? Balak was the King of Moab (see Numbers 22-25) who tried to hire (bribe?) an occult fortune-teller (“diviner”) Balaam to curse Israel (but God turned it into a blessing). Failing this, Balak’s people invited the Israelites to engage in sexual immorality and worship their idols (Num 25:1-2, 31:16).

What is Balaam’s “teaching”? Balaam’s teaching (“counsel”) was teaching the Israelites to sin (“commit trespass”) against the Lord (Num 31:16).

Balaam teaches:

1. to stumble others, how to cause God's people to stumble in their relationship with God.
2. Sexual immorality
3. Eating things sacrificed to idols. Taking part of the worship of that idol. feasting on Goodness of the Lord when sacrificed to God? Here feasting of what this false God has to offer.

Major idols in their day:

• Baal = the storm God, God of weather, looked to to bring rain. Significant: crops (bring money) and prosperity. Worshipped for supposed prosperity. We still (as a society) worship money. 401k anyone?
• Molech = "God" whose idol was a big bronze statue. Barbaric horrific child sacrifice. seen to be as the protector from bad. Give your children over to everything bad so he'd save you. the god of SECURITY. Application: farming out children to daycare for your own security/personal benefit at the expense of your children? Divorce?
• Ashtoreth = God of fertility. Ashtoreth pole (phallic symbol) God of sexual pleasure.

We still have these idols in our society, just not by name.

Baal	Molech	Ashtoreth

Implication: in our day an age and idol = anything you look to be the power that brings meaning/power/significance to your life.

**Teaching others to do these things** = problem. This negative is as significant as their positive (holding fast to God unto death).

Teaching others to stumble in their walk with God is a significant sin. “but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt 18:6)

'So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Rev 2:15)

Others were holding to teachings of Nicolaitans (remember that in 2:6 God hated their teaching, so here it is saying that it is bad that people are holding to a teaching that God hates).

they HOLD TO (unwilling to let go). Are you justifying your sin saying its "not that bad"?

'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. (Rev 2:16)

Overcomers: Hidden Manna

'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, to him 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.' (Rev 2:17)

Reward for those who overcome this temptation:

1. Hidden manna (= sustenance from heaven), a secret stash of the Lord for those who overcome the temptation to compromise their purity. The pure at heart shall see God (mt5). There is hidden manna there for you. If you're not seeing things you should look at your purity. God doesn't throw pearls before swine.
2. White stone – white = purity, stone = solid. -> a rock solid purity. Not a wimpy “milk-toast” purity. Not on a black stone. Some people are holding onto a stumbling block rather than new rock/identity...You are not coming to the Lord out of guilt and shame anymore.
3. A new name - defines you, your identity. You will get a fresh sense of identity written on a rock solid purity (not your filthy past), a special thing between you and the Lord

Thyatira (Immoral Church) [Rev. 2:18-29]

Thyatira (Cornerstone Arts)

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: (Rev 2:18)

Jesus: eyes like a flame of fire, feet like burnished bronze in a furnace

Positives: Increasing: Love, Faith, Service, Perseverance

'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. (Rev 2:19)

I know… your deeds, love, faith, service, persecution. DEEDS are getting better (improving)

Negatives:

Tolerate Jezebel (Self-Promotion, Immorality)

'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (Rev 2:20)

but: TOLERATE Jezebel. Jesus had it against them that they are tolerant (to not confront it, allow to happen, sweep under the rug. Jezebel calls herself a prophetess (she’s not) self proclaimed, putting herself in a position. One thing seen negative in her is self-promotion, putting herself in a position the church hasn’t confirmed. There is a process in the church for recognizing people in authority (she’s not following that). She also teaches and leads bond-servants astray into immorality and eating sacrifices (Same mindset as Balaam).

Illness and Tribulation and Disease to the Unrepentant

'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. (Rev 2:21)

God gave her time to repent…He is confronting her with her error (conviction). But she didn’t WANT TO repent. It’s not about being able, it’s about not wanting to change, wanting whatever more than God.

Conviction alone does not always produce repentance. You can realize something is wrong without any desire to change.

'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. (Rev 2:22)

God’s going to bring about consequences (a physical ailment) to her and those sinning with her to get her attention. (Lord is there anything I need to repent of?)

It’s amazing how much you pray when you are that sick.

He will put them into GREAT tribulation. Sickness = just a little warning shot.
When we are unrepentant, God may bring us into sickness in order to bring about repentance.

'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (Rev 2:23)

next: kill her children with pestilence.

"Will give to each accoring to his deeds" -

Let the churches know: God searching the mind and heart and give to each according to their deeds. God is not tolerant. God will be gracious to those who repent, but intolerant of a lifestyle of continual sin. Sin is more destructive to your life than God’s dealing with you. If you have areas of compromise in your life, that’s a big deal to God. He isn’t tolerant of those who “play games with God”. He will treat you to what your deeds deserve. He is writing to churches (believers) here.

God is searching hearts and minds; you may have the rest of us fooled but God knows what’s really going on. Search your heart, prayer, meditation. God already knows the truth. Stop pretending there is not an issue. Don’t tolerate self-appointed leaders who are problem damaging the church. Confront the damaging.

"DEEDS show what you BELIEVE and whether one has truly received the truth so as to be saved." -Kay Arthur

'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them--I place no other burden on you. (Rev 2:24) 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. (Rev 2:25)

Contrast: everybody else is cool, not laying any other burden on them; they already have deeds, love, faith, service. Sometimes the problem isn’t what you’re doing but what you’re not doing. It can be easy to justify shortcomings when you shine in other areas.

God doesn’t tolerate compromise even if you are shining in every other area.

Overcomers: Authority over the Nations

(2:26) 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; (27) 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; (28) and I will give him the morning star. (29) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

What they are encouraged to overcome: allowing obvious problems to continue. "It's not how you start but how you finish!" (Kay Arthur).

To those who overcome: authority over the nations, rule with them: powerful. strong.

Rod of Iron = inflexible, set standard.

You have to have set standards for your life. The fact that it is a buzzword in our culture should be a red flag to you.

Here: not that they engage (in sin or compromise) but that they tolerate it.

• Application = inward. what are you tolerating in your own life?
• Application = outward. Do you present yourself modestly to the world?
• You won’t rule with Christ if you don’t have that strict standard for your own life.

Sardis (Dead Church) [Rev. 3:1-6]

Gymnasium in Sardis (David Phillips)

Inductive Study:
Main Structure: 3 causations, implied causation v 1-2
Main Idea: Good reputation but no reality.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:’” (3:1a)

angel = messenger (in Greek)

seven stars = seven angels = seven messengers

Positives: A Good Name. Negatives: Dead.

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, x but you are dead.” (3:1b)

Dead = lifeless, separation between soul and body, spiritual death, a disconnect.
Name = who you are known as, a reputation

What does it mean to be spiritually alive? Spiritually dead?

Not a whole lot of positives here. This church has a reputation for being alive, once upon a time it was. Reputation is from the past, not the present.

Reputation is not representative of reality, NOT the PROOF of spiritual life.

Therefore: Be Watchful, Strengthen

“[implied ] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” (3:2)

They were stagnant, unaware, passive, inactive. They let themselves be weak. They are quitters, never finish, give up; they let conditioning out-beat their talent. They are CONTENT in the deadness they are in. Is that the STANDARD God wants for his Church? No. Jesus wants his churches to be alive spiritually, therefore wake up.

Keep strong, don’t “fall asleep on the couch” so to speak. If you be strong you will finish well. If you’re stagnant you have nothing to prove, keep flexing your muscles. Be heavy hitters, don’t let HSE be the most active you’ve ever been, this is just the foundation—don’t stop short.

If you value the end more than now its easy to sacrifice.

Lesson from running: If you run hard (even though it hurts) the pain will pass (and pass the other runners on the uphill).

Therefore: Remember, Keep It, Repent

“ So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.” (3:3a)

1st Remember

The need to remember implies they forgot. It’s easy to forget; very easy. To prevent forgetting, you need to actively review, reflect, and meditate on what you’ve “received and heard” (ie. learned, received).

2 nd Keep It

Remembering is not enough, you have to keep using what you know, have application: apply it, live it. This is what it means to keep it, keep it a part of your life. George: “I don’t want to hear ‘I know”, I want to see doing!” Do you write down your application and put it in your schedule? Put one nugget a week minimum on your schedule each week to apply. No practice = death.

3 rd repent

Repent = to turn away from sin

Genuine repentance may require significant life changes. If you were serious about repenting, you would take the steps necessary to change.

If you aren’t willing to take the steps necessary to turn from your sin, you may just be sorry, you may not be repentant. If so, ask God to change your heart and make you repentant. Start pursuing something different (holiness) rather than your sin. Sometimes the change we need is not always about adding new things but sometimes is about taking away old things.

• What would it mean to repent of divorce? To reconcile. “We couldn’t do that!” Maybe you’re not serious about repentance? The real trouble with re-marriage is that it cuts off your ability to repent of divorce.
• What would it mean to repent of fornication? To really repent you have to cut off that relationship because it is hazardous to your spiritual health. That would be repentance. That or get married. “If you want to have sex, we can make it legal J”

What are the things you’re compromising in that you’re not really repenting of?

If you do not

“ Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” (3:3b)

“If you do not wake up” implies they are presently asleep. They are to come out of their spiritual slumber. Taking the “weekends off” in your faith has consequences. You will be unprepared for the return of Christ.

If Jesus comes back today, would you be ready?

A few unsoiled

“But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (3:4)

undefiled garments = not clothed in sin, but being awake and strong in the Lord.
In white = not soiling themselves (stay on edge, alert, stick with it)

Even if your church is asleep, that doesn’t mean you have to be. Even in the dead church of sardis, “a few” were walking worthy of walking with Jesus. There is a lot at stake. Don’t chance getting erased from the book of life. Keep your white garments unsoiled.

Overcomers: White Garments, In Book of Life, Confessed to God

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (3:5)

What is being overcome? Sleeping, being weak.

What reward are they promised?

• clothed in white garments (covering of purity, righteousness, being engaged by God)
• name will not be blotted from book of life
  Implication: If you fall asleep spiritually your name could get erased from the book of life. Stay awake spiritually if you want to be assured of salvation. Is “loss of salvation” implied? That’s not directly stated, but it does say that those who do not overcome can have their name erased from the book of life. There’s a possibility that you name is writing in the book of life at birth and its through your choices you choose to be removed from life.
• I will confess his name before My Father and His Angels
  His father = Father God. (“I will confess” versus “I never knew you”?)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (3:6)

Sardis should be spiritually alive.

This would look like: bearing fruit, fervor for the return of Christ, strong for the message of the return of Christ (evangelism).

Philadelphia (Faithful Church) [Rev. 3:7-13]

Philadelphia Vineyard (David Phillips)

Rev 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this”

• How is Jesus described to this church? Holy, true, has key of David, opens doors no one shuts/shuts & no one opens.
• What does he know about them? Their deeds
• What is missing from the structural formula? There is no contrast, Jesus has nothing bad to say about this church.

“…Key of David…”

David = King of Jerusalem. King’s key = like the master key.

Jesus has a master key that can open and close doors of opportunity in your life. If God shuts the door, its closed, no one can change that. If God opens the door, no one can close it on you.

Hold onto God-given opportunities; they may only be there for a season. Grab the door, hold it, walk through it, and utilize it. Don’t develop a habit of never taking opportunity (inertia). Grabbing one opportunities closes the door on others; it puts you on a new road. And when you turn around that door is probably not there anymore.

Going through the right doors is not about having the best options.

Often times walking through this door will put you in tough places where you have to hold onto your God given opportunity. Its not something you have to DO, all you have to do is hang on.

Positives: Deeds, Kept Word, Not Denied Jesus. Negatives: None.

Rev 3:8 “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name”

Has a substantiation:

Implication: Supernatural opportunity doesn’t take a lot of power. Amazing opportunity only requires a little power (not a lot), requires keeping His word, and not denying His name. Just because God does a great work in someone does not mean they are great. You don’t need to be great to have great opportunity. Great opportunity is not based on the greatness of the individual. Jesus is the one who opens and closes the doors or opportunity.

Therefore: False Believers will Bow Down

Rev 3:9 ~ “[] Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.”

Those of the synagogue of Satan (who say they’re Jewish but aren’t, they lie) will be made by God to come bow down at your feet and know that God loved you.

The synagogue of Satan called themselves God’s people (Jews/Israel), but they aren’t.

Implication: The synagogue of Satan lies about their identity. Calling yourself one of God’s people doesn’t make you one. It’s something that’s proven, not spoken. Are you proving yourself to be one of God’s people, or are you one in name only? The words someone speaks should not be used as a basis to assume they are in fact a believer; even the Synagogue of Satan makes claims to be God’s people.

The promise in this verse: God will make your enemies bow down and know how much God loves them.

Implications:

• GOD will fight your enemies, you don’t have to.
• They have little power, but the synagogue of Satan has NO power (they are the ones bowing down, they don’t have authority or power in that position). Satan has no power over us. Jesus loves us (and will show us).

Therefore: Be kept from the hour of testing

Rev. 3:10 ~ “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

(Cause) Because you’ve kept the word of perseverance,
(Effect) you’ll be kept from the great tribulation.

• You can have confidence you can be kept from this (by keeping the word as the basis for everything you do)
• A real child of God will persevere in living a life of following God’s word (all of it, not just the convenient parts).

“…be kept from the hour of testing on whole world...”

(Note that we will see hour of testing again in the next segment)

Implication: They’ve already passed the test. If you life like the world, you’ll have to retake the test. You can have your severity now or later, wouldn’t you rather take the pre-test?

Notice that there is no middle ground here either. In keeping the word of perseverance, don’t get deceived into what is cultural; the world will never set a standard this high.

Word of perseverance: Living according to the word (hard/godly) <-- --> World/Satan’s ways (easy life)
We don’t take God given opportunities sometimes but devil-given opportunities sometimes.

“…hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world…”

The great tribulation = global event.

Therefore: Hold Fast That No One May Take Your Crown

Rev. 3:11 ~ “I am coming quickly; [] hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

What does the church have? little power, kept my word, not denied my name. What should we do with that? Hang on to it.

Implications:

• (Hold fast) There are forces actively trying to pull what you have out of your hand. You are in a hostile environment. Are you holding fast to the truths that you know and to Jesus’s name in spite of the enemy trying to steal your victory? Or are you letting the enemy win?
• It’s not about salvation but about the crown.

To Overcomers: Be a Pillar in God’s Temple

Rev. 3:12a “(To) he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;”

Reward to he who overcomes? Be a pillar
What are they overcoming? Losing their grip on what they know is right and true.

Pillar = A pillar is something that is used for support, something that is structurally sound. You get to be something that supports the weight of the temple of God, something of strength that holds other people up in God’s house.

3:12b “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”

Name written: When God writes his name and address on you, you belong to him. Think about what you write your name on as kids: Everything that is yours. God gives you an identity of being his. He marks you as his own, undeniably God’s. Hold on for your whole life and then for eternity you are His.

Rev 3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Big Idea: Philadelphia should be holding fast to Jesus.

Take the little power you have and focus it on Jesus. Put your energy into your relations with Jesus, he takes care of everything else.

Laodicea (The Lukewarm Church) [Rev. 3:14-22]

Laodicea (Cornerstone Arts)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:” (2:14)

v. 14: How is Jesus described?

• The amen
• faithful and true witness
• beginning of the creation of God

witness in Greek = martus (sp?), someone willing to die as a witness

Negatives:

They are not Extreme

"It is thought that the Laodiceans were being critiqued for their neutrality or lack of zeal (hence "lukewarm"). [...] However, some scholars have suggested that this metaphor has been drawn from the water supply of the city, which was lukewarm, in contrast to the hot springs at nearby Hierapolis and the pure water of Colossae (Barclay). The archaeology shows Laodicea had an aqueduct that probably carried water from hot mineral springs some five miles south, which would have become tepid before entering the city. Strabo states that the water was hard, though drinkable. The imagery of the Laodicean aqueduct suggests not that "hot" is good and "cold" is bad, but that both hot and cold water are useful, whereas lukewarm water is useless. " -wikipedia

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.” (3:15)

missing: contrast -> this church is not condoned only condemnation.

v. 15: What does Jesus know about this church?

• Their deeds
• neither hot nor cold (lukewarm)
• I wish you were hot or cold

“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (3:16)

v. 16: What is the effect of (cause) being lukewarm? Jesus spits them out of His mouth

Jesus wishes they were hot or cold
- he is not calling cold a negative
- he is saying: be extreme (lukewarm is balanced)

vomiting: complete revoltion…its repulsive, like George drinking water with 2-3 inches of mold on its top. Being cold or hot -> implied: both are good things, there’s no use for lukewarm. Be extreme. Because you are well-balanced (perfect balance of hot and cold) I’m going to SPIT you out (word is like vomit) connotation: revulsion to what has been in mouth. There’s no radical-ness to them anymore (passion, commitment)

Their perception does not match reality

“Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," x and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (3:17)

v. 17-18: They think they are rich, but they are really miserable, poor, blind and naked. They are advised therefore, to buy heavenly riches.

their impression of themselves is they think they’re rich, not in need -> A sense of adequacy leads to complacency. (if ever there was a description of the church of America…) Normal sense with the Kord (not desperation), no urgency. When’s the last time you prayed to be heard? (and not just to pray). Jesus says: they’re not, and they don’t see it.

You do not know… -wretched -miserable -poor -naked -blind

Their perception: they don’t know the truth about themselves. Most people think about someone else when they read this. If you think that you are in the same boat as the Laodiceans -> good possibility you are lukewarm. If you don’t say you can’t do anything (without Jesus) you are the church of Laodicea. If you don’t need Jesus, you wouldn’t need to be extreme. Being radical threatens the status quo, take the veil off deception.

Advised: Buy Jesus’s Gold, White Garments, Eye Salve

“A popular eye medicine known as "Phrygian powder" was one of Laodicea's sources of wealth. The medical school at Laodicea was famous for the preparation and use of this eye salve...According to Strabo (12.8.20) there was a medical school in the city, where a famous ophthalmologist practiced. The city also lies within the boundaries of ancient Phrygia, from where an ingredient of eye-lotions, the so-called "Phrygian powder", was supposed to have originated.” -wikipedia

3:18 I advise you to buy from Me
gold refined by fire so that you may become rich,
and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;
and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

“I advise you to buy from me” Who is speaking? Jesus. When Jesus advises, the wise listen.

Advice:

1. Buy Gold from Jesus -> means offer your life/self (that’s all you have to offer) in exchange for what’s truly valuable. Expend your life on what’s truly valuable. Jesus counsels ( pay attention anytime Jesus counsels): BUY from ME…

There is a mixture of spirituality and carnality in their lives.

• Are you expending your life on what’s truly valuable?
• Buying from Jesus: this is what will cause you to be extreme.
• Where are you going for your sense of richness? Is it to Jesus?

Buy From Jesus (Rev. 3:18)

2. white garments -> Buy “clothes”, cover yourself with the righteousness HE gives. What are you clothing yourself in? (putting around your life) image you are seeking.

3. eye salve -> To See the real truth, look past the deception, get something that will make you see. ( Laodicea was famous for its eye salve)

Paul didn’t get worse; he just got his eyes opened.

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” (3:19)

v. 19: What is the causation? Be zealous and repent.

reprove = correct (has severity to it)
There is a temporary pain involved that gets your attention.

Internal causation: (v. 19) be zealous and repent. v 20 written to BELEIVERS (not for evangelism). This book is for THE CHUCH, not evangelism/unbelievers.

Rev 3:20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Jesus is on the outside, they’ve shut him out in their mediocrity.

He tries to get in (he knocks) but isn’t going to break in. If you open the door he dines with us à you enter into the most genuine relationship with him.

v. 20: Jesus will dine with anyone who hears His voice and opens the door. Jesus is knocking.

To The Overcomer: Sit on the Throne

3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

v. 21: What is promised to Him who overcomes?

What are they overcoming?

v. 22: He who has an ear…

I am rich… have need of nothing: attitude: we are great, fill, overflowing, at our high point, “it doesn’t get better than this” (self reliance, having enough).

Overcomers: sit with Jesus on his throne.

Overcome: tendency toward complacency

• you will always be tempted to be complacent
• church should be radical sharp and convicting word. not comfortable. Keep the church the vision Jesus had for it.

to those who overcome the lie that you don’t need to be extreme.

Would you just be a little more repulsive to Jesus please? It makes them uncomfortable because they’re not out there doing…

Big idea: Laodicea ~ be an extreme witness (to death, willing to go all the way)

Seven Churches Summary

Chart of the church's highlights and lowlights:

Description of Jesus relating to Churches:

Given to Overcomers:

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