Revelation 2-3 Seven Letters

Revelation 2-3  Last Week: Introduction  Tonight: 7 letters to 7 churches 7 Historical Churches Why these churches?

Structure  Address “To the angel of the church in…”  Description of Himself To Smyrna: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: Revelation 2:8 To Smyrna: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: Revelation 2:8 To Pergamum: The One who has the sharp two- edged sword says this: Revelation 2:12 To Pergamum: The One who has the sharp two- edged sword says this: Revelation 2:12 Jesus Christ will provide the exact resources needed to fulfill His mission.

Structure  Address “To the angel of the church in…”  Description of Himself  Analysis “I know your deeds…”  Counsel Revelation 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:5 I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Structure  Address “To the angel of the church in…”  Description of Himself  Analysis “I know your deeds…”  Counsel  Invitation  Promise Revelation 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God Revelation 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

7 Letters  Mixed Review Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira  Bad Review Laodicea, Sardis  Good Review Smyrna, Philadelphia

7 Letters – Mixed Review Christ’s Message: “You are seriously imbalanced.”  Ephesus: You hate, but you do not love. Romans 12:9 Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Revelation 2:6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:6 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:2 '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; Revelation 2:2 '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; Revelation 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:5 I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

7 Letters – Mixed Review Christ’s Message: “You are seriously imbalanced.”  Ephesus: You hate, but you do not love.  Pergamum and Thyatira: You love, but you do not hate. Revelation 2:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance Revelation 2:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance Revelation 2:20 '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. Revelation 2:20 '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. John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Truth and Love are Inseparable Truth and Love are Inseparable Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment

7 Letters – Bad Review Christ’s Message: “You are seriously self-deceived.”  Laodicea: You think you know me, but you are strangers. Revelation 3:17 you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing Revelation 3:17 you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing Revelation 3:17b you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked Revelation 3:17b you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked Revelation 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. Revelation 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.

7 Letters – Bad Review Christ’s Message: “You are seriously self-deceivd.”  Laodicea: You think you know me, but we are strangers.  Sardis: You think are thriving, but you are dead. Revelation 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Revelation 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Revelation 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. Revelation 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. Revelation 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Revelation 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Faith is like a muscle – it’s either being strengthened or it’s atrophying. Ask: What’s the next step of faith for me to take?

7 Letters – Good Review Christ’s Message: “Regardless of how things look, you’re successful in the only way that matters.”  Smyrna Revelation 2:9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) Revelation 2:9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) God will use suffering to remove impurities from our faith.

7 Letters – Good Review Christ’s Message: “Regardless of how things look, you’re successful in the only way that matters.”  Smyrna  Philadelphia Revelation 3:8b “...you have a little power and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8b “...you have a little power and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revlation 3:8a Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut Revlation 3:8a Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut We need to take our eyes off of our ourselves and boldly step out by Christ’s power. May we be like Philadelphia!

Revelation 2-3: Seven Letters  Questions?  Comments?  Experiences?