The

Seven Churches of Revelation Part 1

1) Introduction: a) Interpretive views on the seven churches (not exclusive or exhaustive): i) Seven literal churches in Asia minor ii) Churches typify (illustrate) conditions and issues common in the early church and throughout the church age (in addition to literal churches); Walvoord: all churches at all times and in all places iii) Churches represent the chronological development of Church history (C. I. Scofield, Clarence Larkin)

b) Questions: i) Why these churches? ii) Why not: Rome? Antioch? Jerusalem? (post 70 AD perhaps had been destroyed!) c) Challenges: i) Challenges the way we measure Church success ii) If we view ourselves as components of the local body, challenges each to be the right stuff iii) Note the personal (singular) challenge: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (sevenfold)

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d) Formula (seven letters or royal edicts, each of which follows a pattern): i) The royal author describes himself in terms from ch. 1. ( ii) I know introduces his diagnosis of the churchs condition, both positive (except for Sardis and Laodicea) and negative (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia) iii) Comfort and commands flow from the diagnosis. iv) All of the churches are commanded to hear and heed all of the letters (what the Spirit says to the churches, 2:7, etc.). v) A blessing is promised to the one who conquers, (ESV) e) Walvoords view of the pattern: i) The Commission ii) The Character iii) The Commendation (none for Sardis and Laodicea) iv) The Condemnation (none for Smyrna and Philadelphia) v) The Correction vi) The Call vii) The Challenge f) My chart (available online): i) Commission: To the angel of the church of ______ write ii) Christology: Eg: He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands iii) Commendation: Eg. I know your works, your labor, your patience iv) Condemnation: Eg, you have left your first love v) Exhortation: Eg. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works vi) Call: Eg. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. vii) Challenge: eg. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life g) Four Churches to considered this morning

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The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 1

1) Ephesus: The Orthodox, but love-lost Church (2:1-7) a) About Ephesus: i) Perhaps the largest city in Asia minor at the time ii) Featured prominently in Acts (19) iii) Somewhat of a model church deduced from the epistle Ephesus To the angel of the church of Ephesus write Commission These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right Christological hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them Commendation liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My names sake and have not become weary. ... But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your Condemnation first love Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent Exhortation and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its placeunless you repent. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Call churches. b) The problem: a lack of devotion to Christ c) Dangers of fading passion for Christ: i) 1 Timothy 6:10, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows ii) 1 John 2:15, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him iii) 1 John 5:21, Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. d) Nicolaitans: Unknown sect i) Contrast Pergamos: Revelation 2:14-16 ii) Related to Nicolas (one of the first deacons)? iii) Is the name itself meaningful? to conquer to people? (Rise of clergy class) e) Called upon to remember repent . do f) Overcome: Compare usage in 1 John. Example 5:5, Who is he who overcomes (, We see this Greek word in the name of shoe company Nike) the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

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2) Smyrna: The Suffering Church (2:8-11) a) The grid: Smyrna And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write Commission Christological These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan None Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death

Commendation Condemnation

Exhortation

Call

Challenge

b) Comments: i) Popular church name in the South (Google it) ii) Modern day city of Izmir (3rd largest in Turkey) iii) Synagogue of Satan: (1) Polycarp martyred there (166 or 167) (2) I n the Martyrdom, Polycarp is recorded as saying on the day of his death, "Eighty and six years I have served him," which could indicate that he was then eighty-six years old or that he may have lived eighty-six years after his conversion. Polycarp goes on to say, "How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour? Bring forth what thou wilt." Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor iv) No condemnation v) Who would want to be a part of a church called to suffer? vi) Ten days? Periods of time? Or 10 literal days? Page 4

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3) Pergamos: The Compromising Church (2:12-17) a) The grid: Pergamos Commission And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword Christological I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satans throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not Commendation deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Condemnation Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight Exhortation against them with the sword of My mouth He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to Call the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on Challenge the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. b) Comments (or Pergamum / Pergamon): i) City known for pergaminus or pergamena (parchment) after the city. This was made of fine calfskin, a predecessor of vellum. ii) Doctrine of Balaam: (1) Numbers 22-25; 31 plus other OT references (2) 2 Peter 2:15, They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness (3) Jude 11, Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. iii) Satans throne: (1) The Great Altar of Pergamon is in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin. The base of this altar remains on the upper part of the Acropolis. It was perhaps this altar, believed to be dedicated to Zeus (2) The first bishop of Pergamon, Antipas, was martyred there in ca. 92 AD

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4) Thyatira: The Tolerant, Permissive Church (2:18-29) a) The grid: Thyatira And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write Commission Christological These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come

Commendation

Condemnation

Exhortation Call

Challenge

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potters vessels as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star Call is last; cites Psalm 2:9 Page 6

Comment

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 1

b) Comments: i) The modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle") ii) Lydia: Acts 16:14-15, Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. So she persuaded us. iii) Jezebel? (1) OT Jezebel (1st and 2nd Kings) (2) Her name synonymous with subtle corruption, immorality, and idolatry (Walvoord p 71) (3) Whoever the prophetess was at Thyatira (probably not actually named Jezebel), she promoted the breakdown of the moral separation between Gods church and the moral cesspool of the world in which it ministered

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