Revelation, Part 3
Revelation 2:1-17
Introduction
Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” We ought to be able to give an answer – to give hope to the future and why we believe this way.
I need to point of the relevance of this book to you so that you may understand – call it a VERY quick outline of the book of Revelation.
Chapter 1 - What was:
Vision of what John saw and experienced (past tense). John was writing so that he may tell what happened to him – HIS testimony – that no one can argue with. Your testimony of what God has done for you cannot be argued with … so use it!
Chapter 2 and 3 - What is:
These Churches still exist today -- it is present tense. This proves that God’s Word is relevant to today – that it is a living document because these churches that are spoken about exist all around us, perhaps you will see our church in these descriptions.
Chapter 4 - 21 - What will come:
These are future events – prophecy. I want you to see here that after Chapter 3, the church is no longer mentioned – because it is gone. The things that happen -- happen to the earth and those who live on it, but the church is no longer talked about.
What is constant then? Heb 13:8 – Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Letters to the churches -- God’s report card of where we are today. Again, present tense means it applies now -- which one do you want to be?
This is the most important two chapters following your salvation because it talks about YOUR church house. Chapters 2 and 3 are words for right now and things to be on the lookout for and to avoid the pitfalls of where the Lord is not pleased with us.
I want you to note the lamp stands – this is a bearer of light, not the source. It is merely a platform for light to be placed on; the source of the light is Jesus himself.
The angel that is discussed is the leader of the church.
Pray
I. Church of Ephesus
Read Chapter 2:1-7
Pro –
They work hard; they tested false apostles (prophets)
Endured hardships in Jesus name; have not grown weary
Paul and John have both talked about testing faithfulness at length – and this church has stood up to that.
Sounds like a solid church – now watch their number complaint God has against them
Negative – They have forgotten their first love!! They have forgotten God!
Ephesus means “darling or maiden of choice” *
Joel 2:12-13 says “"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
They need to see how far they have fallen. They are told to repent and return to worshipping God - Otherwise, the church will be destroyed (by removing the lamp stand that represents them).
Ephesus used to be a booming sea port – and now their port is 6 miles away. Their disobedience has caused this!
Hate practices – Love people … church doctrine - You can not approve, but still love
Read Verse 7 again – Reward awaits – To eat from the tree of life – which is in the center of the Paradise of God (Eden). Those that stay the course, can expect to eat from this
II. Church of Smyrna
Read Chapter 2: 8-11
Smyrna comes from the root word Smurna – which in Hebrew translates to myrrh
Myrrh was present at Jesus’ birth, as a symbol of suffering, or death. Gold meant royalty and frankincense was diety, but myrrh means suffering. At the second coming, you will note that myrrh is not presented to Jesus – but this church is reminded of its future even in the name that it has. *
Negative - Slanderers among them, but Jesus knows who they are. They claim to be faithful to God’s law (and the Jews) but are not - These are part of the synagogue of Satan. John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Those that are part of this church that are slandering liars, and they are of the devil. The Jews understood this because very early in church history we became anti-semitic. At this same time, we lost our Jewish roots as established in the Old Testament. And those that would oppose the Jews today are part of this church. *
Side note: It is time to STOP saying we love Israel, but ignoring our Jewish neighbors – this is what this church is guilty of.
There is more encouragement for this church than condemnation
Read Verse 11 again – Reward awaits (Second death will not come to you)
Be faithful unto death, and they will receive a crown … Crown is a reward, not salvation
1. Crown of Life (those who suffered for His sake) – James 1:12 *
2. Crown of righteousness (those who loved His appearing) – 2 Tim 4:8 *
3. Crown of glory (those who fed the lambs, sheep, or flock) – 1 Peter 5:4 *
4. Crown Incorruptible (those who pressed on steadfast) – 1 Corinthians 9:25 *
5. Crown of Rejoicing (those who win souls) – 1 Thess 2:19 *
Which crown will you get? Those are the only crowns available!!
Smyrna is one of the two churches that have no condemnation!!
III. Church of Pergamum
Read Chapter 2: 12-17
Negative - Satan has his throne in their church and they hold to teaching of Balaam – a prophet greedy for gold. Balaam taught spiritual unchastity / being married to the world (2 Peter 2:15). Balaam was hired by the enemies of the people of God to curse them (Number 22:12). Balaam took the way of Cain, and lived in filth after he did this, but he perished along with the rest of God’s enemies (Josh 13:22) *
This church is told to do one thing: Repent!
Promise to those who over come this:
Hidden manna (Psalm 78:24-25 says “he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.”) It also says that they would receive a white stone. The white stone is symbolic of when jurors of this time would vote. A black stone indicated guilt and a white stone indicated innocence. They are being promised that if they help faithful to God, they would receive a white stone. *
Jesus said he will come against them with the sword from his mouth – Word of God
This church shows extreme internal conflict in their practices. A church cannot serve two masters! Luke 16:13 says, “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Who do you serve?
Conclusion
Today we discussed three churches, and there is a lot of information – but I want you to leave here with the importance of seeing these three churches.
Ephesus forgot about its first love – God
They are encouraged for their practices, but fail to be faithful to Jesus
Pergamum needs to repent, completely – they are following false doctrine
They are guilty of following the money trail … and this is sin in God’s eyes
Some say money is the root of all evil – here is an example of what happens to those who believe this philosophy and follow it. Money is from God, and ought to be a treated as a gift, NOT as a goal of the church.
People are from God and need to be loved!
Finally, Smyrna means death -- but the church is faithful to God
Promised to get 1 of 5 crowns for their works, and this is their goal
They have nothing against them – no condemnation – and only 1 of 2 of the 7 with this going for them. Remember they have things to do, but Jesus is not holding anything against them.
Pray
* Research provided from Chuck Missler and his publicized study of this book.
