Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / To Him Who Overcomes

Revelation 2

Taught by Joe Fragale

           

In Revelation 2 & 3, we see the Lord Jesus in the midst of His church.  The seven churches addressed here represent the universal Body of Christ (the Church) throughout human history.  What Jesus had to say to these churches is relevant for us today. 

 

(Revelation 1:19)  Key verse in the outline of the Book of Revelation.  Three divisions in this Book: 1) …the things which you have seen, 2) …the things which are, 3) …the things which will take place after this.

 

1.)     3 possible ways that the letters can be applied…

a.       Conditions existing in those particular seven churches

b.       Overview of Christianity at any one time on earth

c.        Consecutive preview of Church history (each church represents a period of time in Church history)

                                                               i.      Ephesus-                1st Century church… “headless” church                                         100 AD

                                                              ii.      Smyrna-                                1st – 4th  Century church… suffered Roman persecution             100-350 AD

                                                            iii.      Pergamos-             4th – 5th Century church…  recognized as official religion           350-500 AD

                                                            iv.      Thyatira                                6th – 15th Century church… Roman Catholic church in control 500-1500 AD

                                                             v.      Sardis                     16th – 17th Century church… Reformation & Post Reformation               1500-1800 AD

                                                            vi.      Philadelphia          18th – 19th Century church… Revivals and Missionary movement 1800-1900 AD

                                                          vii.      Laodicia                                last days church… lukewarm, apostate, liberal, ecumenical      last days

 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”   And to you!

  1. What the Lord had to say to these seven churches is important to us today.

 

Format for each letter:  Greeting – Compliment – Criticism – Correction – Warning – Promise

 

Revelation 2: 1-7      The Church of Ephesus: “The headless church”

 

(Rev. 2:1)

1. The emphasis is that the Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22).

 

(Rev. 2:2-3)          Compliment

Whenever possible, the Lord will find something to compliment His people.

  1. This church was working, serving, but too busy and forgot who the Head of the church is.
  2.  This church hated evil.
  3. This church was doctrinally sound.  They weren’t fooled by false teachers (1John 4:1ff).

 

(Rev. 2:4)              Criticism

  1. Their hearts had grown cold toward the Savior.

 

(Rev. 2:5a)            Correction

  1. The Lord Jesus gives the correction or remedy for this church’s condition.
    1. “Remember” when you fell in love with Jesus.
    2. “Repent” and turn back to Him. (1John 1:9)
    3. “Return” and do the first works (Read the Bible, Pray, Tell others about Jesus).

 

(Rev. 2:5b)            Warning

  1. Serious consequences could follow if this church didn’t change their ways.
  2. The lampstand represents the church and the Head of the church is telling them to get right or He will put them out of business.
  3. Could this be why churches are shut down or no longer on “fire” for Jesus.

 

(Rev. 2:6-7)          Promise

  1. Nicolatians:  man-centered doctrine involving idolatry and immorality;  clergy – laity structure
  2. Notice the change from the church as a group to addressing individual believers.
  3. An “overcomer” is true believer in Jesus Christ.
  4. Promise to overcomers- Eternal life

 

 

 

Revelation 2: 8-11   The Church in Smyrna: “The suffering church”

 

(Rev. 2: 8)             Greeting

  1. Lord Jesus addresses this church as the One who suffered and died and came back to life.
  2. Jesus understood their suffering (Phil. 1:29).
  3. Smyrna means “bitter” and related to the word myrrh.
  4. Myrrh needed to be crushed and broken to release its fragrance.

 

(Rev. 2:9-10a)      Compliment

  1. The church in Smyrna was “on fire “ for Jesus.
  2. They face much persecution for their faith in Christ.
  3. The “Suffering Servant” knew exactly what this church was going through.
  4. Satan is behind the persecution of the church (John 8:43-44)
  5. Jesus allows His church to go through difficult times for His Name sake.
  6. … you will have tribulation ten days- suffering will last a short time.
  7. It’s an honor and privilege to suffer for Jesus. (1Peter 4:12-13; Romans 8:18; Matt.5: 11-12)

 

(Rev. 2:10b)         Correction

  1. The Lord Jesus asks us to be faithful.
  2. The suffering church in Smyrna was on track to receive a crown from the Lord.
  3. New Testament crowns…
    1. Crown of life- endure persecutions (James 1:12)
    2. Incorruptible Crown- run the race of faith (1Cor. 9:25)
    3. Crown of Rejoicing- faithful in sharing the gospel (1Thess. 2:19)
    4. Crown of Righteousness- watch and wait for Jesus to come (2Tim. 4:8)
    5. Crown of Glory- faithful to care of God’s people (1Peter 5:4)

 

**  Jesus had nothing bad to say about this church..  This was a suffering church.  Jesus doesn’t “beat the sheep” when they are down and hurting.

 

(Rev. 2;11)            Promise

  1. Two deaths:  One physical and one eternal.
  2. Second death- eternal separation from God for all eternity. (John 11:25-26)
  3. No believer will ever face the second death. 

 

Those who overcome, will rule and reign with Christ for all eternity!       

 

 

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH                                                                                    OCTOBER 14, 2007

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

REVELATION 2: 12-29

 

The Church at Pergamos: “The heretical church”

 

(Rev. 2:12)            Greeting

Two possible means for the “two edged sword”

1.       Reference to the Word of God- the only way to deal with false teachings is by the truth of God’s Word.  Jesus said, “ You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”  And “ Your Word is Truth.”

2.       Reference to the sword of God’s judgment which was greater than the sword of Roman judgment.

 

(Rev. 2:13)            Compliment

  1. The church at Pergamos was working hard for Jesus.  Their good works were evident. The Bible tells us that our good works glorify God, the Father and fulfill the purpose of the church. (Titus 2:13-14; Titus 3:8, 14; John 15:8)  James 2 says that “faith without works is dead.”
  2. The Lord Jesus compliments this church for its perserverence in the face of persecution.
  3. … where Satan’s throne is… this city was a stronghold for Satan- much idol worship
    1. Satan will use religion for his purposes- can keep people from coming to Christ
    2. Satan is not in hell- he is the ruler of this world- roaming the earth like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour

(Matt. 4:8-9; Luke 8:12; 1Peter 5 8-9)

 

(Rev. 2:14-15)      Criticism

  1. The cancer of false teachings was being allowed to spread in this church.  What Satan can’t accomplish from the outside through persecution, he will accomplish from the inside through false teachings etc.
  2. Lies and half-truths are a tool of the enemy to keep people from the Truth.
  3. …the doctrine of Balaam… (Numbers 22-25)  Balaam advised Balak, the Moabite how to destroy God’s people.  He told Balak to promote intermarriage with the Moabite women and Isrealite men. 
  4. Pergamos means “married.”
  5. The lesson for us is to be careful of compromising with the world. (2Cor. 6:14-15)
  6. Nicolaitans… “ruler over the people”  Possible reference to clergy-laity separation in the church.
    1.  Only two “offices” in the New Testament church- Elders and Deacons (1Timothy 3)
    2. Five gifts to the church- Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher (Eph. 4)

 

(Rev. 2: 16)           Correction

  1. True repentance is more than saying “Sorry.”
    1. Change in behavior and thought
  2. Jesus called the church at Pergamos to get rid of the false teachers
  3. God is a jealous God, He will not have His Name nor His Word dishonored.

 

(Rev. 2:17)            Promise

  1. manna- refers back to the Wilderness wandering and God’s daily provision for His people
  2. God’s “Bread of Life” is Jesus Christ
  3. God promises an eternal relationship with the True Manna, Jesus Christ
  4. Three possible meaning for the “white stone”
    1. Tessara- special gift of stone or ivory to be kept private between two people
    2. White stone was used by judges for a sign of acquittal in a trial.
    3. White stone was used a ticket for admission to a feast.

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 2: 18-29           The Church at Thyatira: “ The corrupt church”

 

(Rev. 2:18)            Greeting

  1. The Lord Jesus addresses the Church at Thyatira as the “Son of God” whose eyes are like a flame of fire and whose feet are like fine brass.
  2. Two characteristics that emphasize His judgment..
    1. Eyes like “flames of fire”- all seeing and exposes all sin
    2. Feet like “fine brass”- speaks of judgment: sure and detailed (nothing will be missed)
  3. The judgment of believers and non-believers is focused in this letter.
  4. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the One to whom all will give account.
    1. Believer- all works done as a Christian (Judgment Seat of Christ)  2Cor. 5:10   1Cor. 3:11-15
    2. Non-believer- all sins ever committed ( Great White Throne Judgment)  John 3:17-18
  5. The church at Thyatira was a carnal, corrupt church adding “wood, hay and straw” to their foundation in Christ.

 

(Rev. 2:19)            Compliment

  1. Six positive things this church was doing…
    1. Works  (James 2:17-18)
    2. Love  (Gal. 5:22; John 13:35)
    3. Service – speaks of ministry – diakonian: “make dust” in a hurry to serve
    4. Faith – in Christ
    5. Patience – endure trials and difficulties
    6. Good works were increasing- grow in doing good

 

(Rev. 2:20)            Criticism

  1. Jezebel – 1Kings 16:  wicked wife of King Ahab who introduced idol worship and immorality into Isreal
  2. This could have been a real woman or a demonic spirit introduced into this church.
    1. Immorality
    2. Witchcraft
    3. Feminism
    4. Control / power
    5. Occult
  3. Believers in this church could have been lead astray to visit idol temples and / or participate in feasting, drinking, and sexual practices.
  4. This woman Jezebel was “justified” because she called herself a prophetess.
  5. Jesus gave her time to repent but she refused.
  6. Notice how gracious the Lord is even to this Jezebel. 
  7. God gives even the most hardened sinners time to repent.

 

(Rev. 2:22-23)      Warning

  1. There are severe consequences for people who “in bed” with Jezebel…
    1. Sickness-  AIDS, STD’s
    2. Tribulation- difficult life, God’s anger
    3. Kill children- abortion, teen gangs, drugs etc.
  2. Still another chance to repent of their sins
  3. … great tribulation… could be a reference to the Great Tribulation
  4. Our God is a just God.  His justice will prevail against the wicked.  God’s judgment will be fair.
  5. The Rapture of the Church will do two things…
    1. Bring about the reality of God’s judgment
    2. Reveal who the true Christians are
  6. …He who searches the minds and hearts- That’s something only God can do, by His Spirit (Hebrews 4:12)

 

(Rev. 2:24-29)      Promise

  1. …the depths of Satan- no limit to the evil that Satan will do
  2. Satan is the “father of all lies” and a masterful deceiver.
  3. There was a faithful remnant in this church and to them Jesus said, “Hold fast!”  Literally, “Keep on keeping on!”
  4. James 5:7  “Therefore be patient brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
  5. Don’t give up!
  6. Two promises to the overcomers who keep the Lord’s works until the end… (John 6:29 …believe on Him whom He sent)
    1. Power over the nations (2Tim.1:2;  1Cor. 6:2)
    2. Receive the morning star (Numbers 24:17)

7.  All true Christians will rule and reign with the Lord Jesus and will be with Him for all eternity.  (Rev. 22:16)