Christ 7 Letters to The Churches (Chapters 2-3)

Synopsis of Bible Study 03/10/21

Delivered by Bishop Walker III

In this lesson we will discuss destination, command to right, archaic language, titles of Christ, the “I know “narrative, admonitions and exhortations, the proclamation formula, the victory formula

Revelation 1:9 NKJV  9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I.            REVELATION CHAPTER 2

A.     Lessons from Ephesus

1. It was the Largest city in province of Asia.
2. They opposed the teaching of a particular sect.
3. They held to a doctrine of immortality.
4. They were criticized for being loveless. They were slipping into coldness and religiosity.
5. Revelation 2:1–7 NKJV “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “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 liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you 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 give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’- Verse two says they have been tested. Visiting missionaries were supposed to audit expectations.

1. God says he will remove the lampstand from them, if they didn’t repent. In other words, God will remove what was holding them up.
2. God acknowledged things that this church had done right, but he pointed out that they had turned away from their first love. You can do a whole lot of stuff right religiously and still end up not being right with God. For example: You can study the bible, attend all bible studies, engage in worship, but if you are cold and mean to your fellow man, then you still aren’t pleasing God.

• John 15:13 NKJV 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – It’s important to know that God affirms what they had done, but he still calls them to repentance.
• No matter how great the things are we do in church, it means nothing if you don’t exhibit love. Lead like He led, love like He loved.
• Example- People are sometimes mean at the door and won’t to scoot over, when someone wants to sit down in church. This discredits the true love of Jesus Christ. You have to love God’s people.

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B.     Lessons from Smyrna

1. This church suffered under brutal persecution. The challenge for this church was the synagogue of Satan (Jewish Leaders)
2. Revelation 2:8–11 NKJV  8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “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. 10 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. 11 “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.” ’
3. Smyrna was a harbor city. It was city by the water. It was a city of cult worshippers.
4. Despite their poverty, they were spiritually rich. They had faith in God but were slandered by the Jews and they stayed in conflict with them.
5. The crown of life is a reward of eternal life. It is symbolic of the crown that they gave to people who won events in this cultural .
6. If I don’t know Jesus, I die a second time. If you born twice (otherwise called born again), you will not die the second death and will live forever.

C.     Lessons from Pergamum

1. Was a city of 180,000 people. They were guilty of cult worship.
2. Balaam. Was one of the gods they worshipped. Satan dwelled deeply there.
3. Revelation 2:12–17 NKJV  12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 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 Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to 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 the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
   1. Verse 13 speaks of Satan’s throne which means a judgement seat.
   1. Antipas was named as a martyr. Martyr in biblical terms is someone who dies for the cause.
   1. God warns that they should repent or face a fight with God with the sword of His mouth.

D.     Lessons from Thyatira

1. Thyatira lies between Pergamum and Ephesus. They believed in the sun gods.
2. God rebukes them for permitting sexually temptation.
3. God promises to bring judgement to Jezebel and her followers.
   1. Jezebel was a prophetess whose teachings led Christians astray. 
      1. Stop calling women Jezebel. According to scripture, Jezebel is someone who leads people astray. Its not necessarily a promiscuous are flirty woman.
4. Revelation 2:18–23 NKJV  18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 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. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 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.
5. Flame of fire is part of the description of Jesus.
6. God says this church allowed Jezebel to lead their people astray. God promises to cast her into her sickbed because she didn’t repent.
7. God also promises to judge all the lie with her.
8. God will also punish Jezebel’s kids for misleading the church.

II.            REVELATION CHAPTER 3

Revelation 1:19 NKJV  19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

A.     Lessons from Sardis

1. Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV  “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: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 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. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
2. This church must understand that though God started with a positive comment, he soon followed with scolding.
3. This church was too prideful of their accomplishments.
4. They were known as the Kingdom of Lydia.
5. They were known to be the originators of gold and silver coins.

B.     Lessons from Philadelphia

1. This church was known as the Church of Brotherly Love.
2. This church is not given a rebuke from Jesus. They are instead praised.
3. They had been attacked by the synagogue of Satan.
4. They will be rewarded for their faith when Jesus returns.
5. Revelation 3:9–11 NKJV 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
6. God will punish those who came against this church.
7. When you are faithful, God will open a door that no man can shut. The open door is an opportunity to evangelize.
8. In the midst of all opposition, we must create opportunities to reach others.
9. God provides a way in the face of opposition.

C.     Lessons from Laodicea

1. We will introduce a word today called Eschatological. This is relating to death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of mankind.
   1. This relates a lot to the triumph of God in the end.
2. Revelation 3:15-16 NKJV 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
3. This church is the only church that doesn’t receive any positive commentary.
4. This church is heavily criticized. They were familiar enough with God to brush him off.
5. God says they have been playing the fence long enough. You got to choose which side of the fence you are on. At some point, you’ve got to choose!
6. Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 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 dine with him, and he with Me.
7. The Lord gives this church an opportunity like he does with us. You have to be all the way in or all the way out. He is giving you a chance to repent.
8. God is standing at the door knocking. He’s not going to force his way into our lives.
9. He’s standing at the door wanting more of us. Are we still going to keep doing what we are doing and keep him out there? God wants to come in and dine with us. He wants to give us a life like we never imagined possible.
10. He’s knocking on the door of our hearts. Will you let him in?
11. We’ve seen things done right, but as God audits these 7 churches, we need to see what we need to do to get things right.