CHAPTERS TWO AND THREE
V. CHRIST'S WORDS OF COMFORT TO THE CHURCHES;
2:7 To the overcomer: "Eat of Tree of Life. This was lost since Garden-Eden.
2:10 Crown of Life: In the N.T. (5) Crown promised for workers: These will be presented at the Judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:9-10)
1. The incorruptible crown; (1 Cor. 9:25) for subduing the flesh
2. Crown of rejoicing: (1 Thess 2:19) Soul winning
3. Crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8) Love His Second Coming
4. Crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4) For faithful teaching
5. Crown of life (Rev. 2:10) (Jas. 1:12) Martyr's Crown
(for those who suffer unto death for Him)
2:11 Escape from the second death. (See Rev. 20:14 with Scofield footnotes Pg. 1351
2:17 Hidden manna - Understanding of spiritual truth (See 1 Cor. 2:10, 12-13, 1 Jo. 2:20,27)
2:26 Power over the nations - victory
2:28 The morning star: (This is Christ - Rev. 22:16)
(Col. 1:27 "Christ in you the hope of glory"
3:5 Clothed in white raiment - Purity, righteousness
I will confess His name. Christ interceding.
3:10 Escape from the Tribulation Period.
3:12 Be made a pillar in temple of God - established
Write upon Him my new name - claimed by Christ.
3:18 True riches, white raiment, spiritual sight
3:20 Christ give to all an invitation to come unto Him.
To all who do , He promises His presence. I will come in to him.
He promises His provision... and will sup with him.
He promises his fellowship..and He with me.
The seven letters close with an invitation to all to (HEAR) what the
spirit saith unto the churches....
E P H E S U S;
2:1-7
1. Letter addressed to pastor... Imp. of good leaders...Ephesus
means
love... (Need in church today.) 1:20 (Explains)
He holds us in His hand...(See John 10:27-30)
Seven golden candlesticks -- are the churches... He walks in midst.
2. There is a difference in church work -- and working for Jesus.
JOHN 6:29
1. Need churches that hate sin: Sam Jones said; when he started
preaching he was afraid he would make somebody mad, later he was
afraid he wouldn't.)
2. This church was sound in the faith - Lot of folk are sound on
baptism, but not baptizing anybody. Many sound on soul-winning but
not winning any body. Need fire of God.
3. They bore reproach..and true church does today...Christians do.
4. Need to return to first love..
5. Danger is Jesus may remove power.
6. Tree of Life for healing. ..22:2
S M Y R N A
(2:8-11)
1. Word Smyrna - (word for Myrrh..sweet-smelling perfume).
Jesus said I am first..This kills evolution. Jesus will be last Jesus rose again...so shall we.2. (V-9) They lacked many things...but had the approval of God.
Synagogue means (gathering place) church means-called out.
Many so called churches today not real churches...
(V-10) God wants His church to be faithful)... Vs. 11-second
death - See Rev. 20:14
P E R G A M O S
(2:12-17)
1. Word Pergamos means - marriage. This sharp two-edged sword is
the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).
2. Verse 13 Satan's seat...Satan's throne...is this world.
2 Cor. 3:4 John 12:31 He is God of this world. It was a worldly church.
They were sound in doctrine...but it did not affect their deeds...Verse 14 Balaam...(See Numbers 22 & Num. 31:36)
Verse 16 God will fight against His own if they are disobedient.
Verse 17 God has hidden spiritual truth to reveal to us, but
He will not if we are living in the world of sin.
The white stone...signifies marriage...
You alone know your standing before God.
T H Y A T I R A
(2:18-29
Vs. 18 These things said the Son of God. Bible preaching
is hard preaching...it condemns sin and sinners.
Brass...symbol of judgment...God will judge
Vs. 19 This church stands for some things...but fails to
stand against some other things...
Vs. 20 Sufferest means "to allow". It tolerated sin.
Jezebel was wife of wicked King Ahab...she was worldly. She was out of her
place...
"Seduce" to mislead...She should have been put out,
but this church did not want to offend anybody.
Vs. 24-25 Jesus encourages this church to hang on.
Vs. 26-28 Refers to Rev. 20:1-6.
S A R D I S
Vs 1 This was a dead church...hypocritical...because had a name to
live and was dead. (You don't organize a corpse...need power of God to
give him life.)
Vs 2 Should be watching for coming of Jesus. (Save the things that
remain, set them on fire... have revival) works not perfect...not
mature.....act like children...
Vs 3 Hold fast...repent.,.be watchful...
Vs 4 Just a few who love God, pray, give, win souls, go to prayer
meeting, study bibles,...
Vs 5 He will confess us before Father if we confess Him. Rom. 10:1-10;
Luke 12:8
P H I L A D E L P H I A
Vs 7 Word "Philadelphia" means brotherly love. Can tell when you walk into a church whether people love one another or not. If they don't it is not a church of the Lord Jesus Christ....
It is God who keeps the door open...not man. God can also close the door...withdraw His power. Nothing man can do.
Vs 8 God has set before us an open door of witnessing,
prayer, bible study, preaching, giving, evangelism...
He expects us to use it.
Three reasons God kept their door open:
1. They had a little strength.
2. They had kept the Word of God.
3. They had not denied the name of Jesus.
The door closed many places because word not preached,
fundamentals of faith being denied.
Vs 9 It was probably a small church. Come a time little
churches that are faithful and true will shine......big ones bow before.
Vs 10 God's people saved from the tribulation. Like Enoch,
and Noah spared from flood.
Vs 12 It is a pillar...not pillow...
See Rev. 22:4
L A O D I C E A
(3:14-21)
Verse 14 The word "Laodicea" means "please the people"
See Gal. 1:10
"Amen"...so let it be
"The faithful and true witness"...Jesus witness is true.
Verse 15 Word "cold" is same word used for ice water. many churches are.
Word "hot" means burning and fervent. This church neither hot or cold...lukewarm, This makes God vomit.....
Verse 17 Their opinion of themselves...vs. God opinion of them.
1. They had a beautiful building but did not use it much.
2. Had a big cemetery...large enough to hold whole crowd.
3. Had a robed choir, organ, polished preacher, but he didn't preach anything...
4. Had a large bank account, but did not use it to spread the gospel...
Verse 18 Eyesalve first burns, hurts, blinds, then heals...
Verse 19 God is rebuking and chastening today...many preachers don't.
Verse 20 Christ is shut out of many churches today...It is supper time...near end of day...when Christ is shut out.
GOD SAYS SEVEN (7) THINGS ABOUT HIM THAT OVERCOMETH:
1. He shall eat of the Tree of Life in the midst of Paradise..2:7
2. He shall not be hurt of the second death....2.11
3. He shall eat of hidden manna, have white stone, new name.2:17
4. He will have power over the nations....2:26
5. He shall be clothed in white raiment..3:5
6. He shall be a pillar in the Temple of God...3:12
7. He shall lit with Christ in white....3:21
by Dagvid E. Hubbard
Created by SuzyB