Eschatology, a Broad Perspective From Genesis to Revelation 11/13/2016

Basic Outline Three major divisions; John was commanded to write concerning Things past, “the things which you have seen,” i.e. the Patmos vision (1:1-20) Things present, “the things which are,” i.e. the existing churches (2:1-3:22) Things future, “the things which shall take place after these things,” i.e. events after the Church Age ends (4:1-22:5). “Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.” (Rev 1:19) NASB 11/13/2016

The Seven Churches 11/13/2016

Sardis An ancient Persian city about 50 miles east of Izmir, Turkey (modern-day Sart) Capital of the Lydian Kingdom 7th century BC First city to mint gold and silver coins Bridge between the Greek West and Asian East Western terminus of the Persian royal road Commanded wide & fertile plain of the Hermus Valley Became part of the Roman Empire in 133 BC Experienced a devastating earthquake in 17 AD During the Roman era, it was famous for its woolen, textile, and jewelry industry The “sleeping church” – had a form of godliness, but because of their failure to walk with the Lord, they were denying the real power of God through their hypocrisy 11/13/2016

To the Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) Christ, the Author & Answer (v1b) Answer centered in who Christ is – the Savior who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars These two aspects of Christ’s ministry to the church immediately brought to forefront – key to problem of this church & its solution “Seven Spirits of God” – ref to Holy Spirit (Rev 1:4) Seven-fold ministries of the Spirit mentioned in Isaiah 11:2-5 Believers’ responsibility: walk in the Spirit who indwells us By faith in His enabling power & dealing with sin in our lives through honest confession so as not to grieve/quench work of the Spirit “Seven Stars” – the spiritual leadership; those who bear God’s Word to the local flock (Rev 1:16,20) Two life-giving provisions of God for man – Holy Spirit & Word – were being neglected  result spiritual deadness 11/13/2016

The Condemnation Declared (v1c) Christ repeats “I know your deeds” – a rude awakening & reality They had a name, a reputation – what men thought They were alive, an active church full of programs and church activity – what men see Regardless, they were dead, without true spiritual vitality – what the Lord saw & knew In Scripture, death stands for concept of separation as well as the absence of life For unbeliever, death means without spiritual life, unregenerate, without God – separated from relationship with God For believer, death, like sleep, is sometimes used as a symbol for carnality, for being out of fellowship with God, separated from Christ as the source of abundant life (Eph 5:14) 11/13/2016

The Condemnation Declared (v1c) (con’t) This is a warning. A church is in danger of death: When it begins to worship its own past or history, its reputation or name, or the names in the church When it is more concerned with forms than with function and life When it is more concerned with numbers and noses, than with the spiritual quality of life it is producing in its people When it is more involved with management than with ministry or with the physical over the spiritual We must be careful that our churches not become “cathedrals of consumption” 11/13/2016

The Counsel Advised (vv2-3) Wake Up! Repent/confess sin; start walking in the Spirit and in the light of the Word (Eph 5:14-18) “Strengthen the things that remain” – God’s Word & the power of His Spirit Aorist imperative – idea of urgency: do it now before it’s too late Get with God’s plan for spiritual stabilization & strength – life in the Word Without proper spiritual base and absolute guide of Bible doctrine, spiritual decline will always begin – “which were about to die” “For I have not found your deeds completed” Their works weren’t Spirit produced; couldn’t stand the test of His examination – would fall in category of “wood, hay, & stubble” (I Cor 3: 12-15) 11/13/2016

The Counsel Advised (vv2-3) (con’t) “Remember therefore what you have received and heard” The faith & the truth they had received – “received” calls attention to the abiding responsibility incumbent upon the receiver “And keep it, and repent” Remember the early days of their life in the Word “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” Col 2:6 Repent carefully because a true change of mind and heart is necessary for a genuine and consistent walk with the Lord “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established” Prov 4:23, 26 11/13/2016

Commendation & Certainties (vv4-5) A few hadn’t “soiled their garments” – they had not fallen into the condemnation previously mentioned Three distinct certainties promised Arrayed in white garments – “they will walk with Me in white”; a reward for faithfulness “for they are worthy” Reward for personal righteousness/deeds of righteousness (Rev 19:8) Importance of Sardis’ garment industry likely led to “garments” x2 Name never to be erased – believer’s secure heavenly citizenship Doesn’t suggest possibility of loss of salvation. Figure of speech known as a “litotes” (affirmation expressed in negative terms – the negative idea isn’t the point) Their name confessed before the Father and His angels “Well done, good slave” Lk 19:17; “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” Mt 10: 32 11/13/2016

The Challenge Needed (v6) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” The challenge is repeated over and over – seven times to be exact in chaps 2&3! We who have spiritual ears are to listen to the Word of the Lord spoken through the Spirit Not enough to have good intentions – you & I must follow through! 11/13/2016

The Prophetic Nature of the Letters? Location Church Time Frame Characteristic Ephesus The Apostolic Church 30-100 AD Lost first love Smyrna The Persecuted Church 100-312 AD Persecuted Church Pergamum The State Church 312-590 AD Faithful, but tolerates false teachers Thyatira The Papal Church 590-1517 AD Church dominated by a powerful false teacher Sardis The Reformed Church 1517-1790 AD Spiritually dying church Philadelphia The Missionary Church 1790-1900 AD Faithful witnessing church Laodicea The Apostate Church 1900- Lukewarm church 2/5/2019

Take-aways The means for you & me to live the Christian life (so vital for spiritual reality) is a knowledge and careful application of the Word through the various ministries of the Spirit Christlikeness is the sign of a church truly in touch with God – how much we demonstrate the Savior in our personal lives, in our families, in our values, priorities, ministry, etc. Genuine godliness is the foundation of moral goodness; moral goodness is always incomplete & on the verge of degeneration without godliness through the Spirit & the Word with its absolute truth God is always faithful to reward His people for their faithfulness to Him. Salvation is by faith alone, sola fide, in Christ alone, but rewards are the product of overcoming faith in the life of Christ appropriated in the Christian’s life 11/13/2016

The Next Several Weeks Nov 20 Philadelphia Clint Nov 27 Laodicea Jon Dec 4 A Vision of God’s Throne Chris Dec 11 Christmas Concerts (No Morning Song) Dec 18 The Seven-sealed Scroll Clint Dec 25 Merry Christmas! (No ABFs) 11/13/2016

See you NEXT week! 11/13/2016

2/5/2019