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

2. 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
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3. The Seven Churches
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5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)
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10. 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

11. 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

12. 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!
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13. The Prophetic Nature of the Letters?
Location
Church
Time Frame
Characteristic
Ephesus
The Apostolic Church AD
Lost first love
Smyrna
The Persecuted Church AD
Persecuted Church
Pergamum
The State Church AD
Faithful, but tolerates false teachers
Thyatira
The Papal Church AD
Church dominated by a powerful false teacher
Sardis
The Reformed Church AD
Spiritually dying church
Philadelphia
The Missionary Church AD
Faithful witnessing church
Laodicea
The Apostate Church
1900-
Lukewarm church
2/5/2019

14. 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

15. 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)
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16. See you NEXT week!
11/13/2016

17. 2/5/2019