The Revelation Of Jesus Christ – Chapter 2 and 3 Introduction
I. Things Which Thou Hast Seen – Rev 1
A. The Purpose of the Book – The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
1. To Reveal Jesus Christ
2. To Reveal Things
B. The Penning of the Book
C. The Promise of the Book
D. The Partakers of the Book
E. The Preview of the Book
II. Things Which Are – The Church Age – Rev 2-3
In chapters two and three there are seven letters written to seven churches – this is the second division of the Book of Revelation – The Things Which Are. We have already dealt with the Things Which Thou Has Seen which were found in chapter one. Before we move on in the Book of Revelation – let’s get some background information.
A. An Introduction To The Letters To The Churches
1. The Church in General
a. Christ is the head of the church – Eph 5:23
Eph 5:23 (NASB) “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.”
b. Christ loves the church – Eph 5:25
c. Christ gave his life for the Church – Eph 5:25
Eph 5:25 (NASB) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,”
d. Christ is the builder of the Church – Mat 16:18
Mat 16:18 (NASB) "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
e. God appoints leaders in the Church – 1 Cor 12:28
1 Co 12:28 (NASB) “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.”
f. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Church – 1 Cor 12:7-11
1 Co 12:7-11 (NASB) “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
g. The Church consists of saved people – Acts 2:46-47
Act 2:46-47 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
h. The Church is subject to Christ – Eph 5:24
Eph 5:24 “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.”
2. The Seven Churches of Revelation – Rev 2-3
a. 7 is Symbolic in number --- 55 times in Revelation
b. 7 is Symbolic in historical ages of the church
Some believe that each church represents a different period of time in church history. They believe that the main characteristics of the churches listed in Revelation represents the majority of the characteristics of the church during a certain period of time. It is an interesting theory. However, the Bible itself does not clearly say that – and today you can find churches that are similar to each church listed.
What I think is important is that we need to learn from each church listed. Where there are warnings we need to be warned. Where there is praise – we need to follow that example. In fact that which applies to the church also applies to our individual lives. Our churches need to be warned and praised and we as individuals need to be warned and praised.
(1) Ephesus – A.D. 30 – 99 – The Apostolic Church
(2) Smyrna – A.D. 100 – 313 – The Suffering Church
(3) Pergamos – A.D. 314-590 – The Compromising Church
(4) Thyatira – A.D 590-1517 – The Divided Church
(5) Sardis – A.D 1518-1700 – The Reforming Church
(6) Philadelphia – A.D. 1700-1900 – The Revived Church
(7) Laodicea – A.D. 1900-Today – The Worldly Church
3. The similarities and differences in the seven letters to the 7 churches
a. All written by same author
(1) John
b. All 7 begin with – “I KNOW” – Rev 2:2-3, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15
God is always all knowing – even though we think we can hide things from Him – we can’t.
Rev 2:2-3 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.’
Rev 2:9 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.’
Rev 2:13 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’
Rev 2:19 'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.”
Rev 3:1 "… 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
Rev 3:8 'I know your deeds…..’
Rev 3:15 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.’
c. 7 different introductions – all addressed to the angels of the churches
(1) Ephesus – Rev 2:1
Rev 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
(2) Smyrna – Rev 2:8
Rev 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
(3) Pergamos – Rev 2:12
Rev 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
(4) Thyatira – Rev 2:18
Rev 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:
(5) Sardis – Rev 3:1
Rev 3:1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this…”
(6) Philadelphia – Rev 3:7
Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this…”
(7) Laodicea –3:14
Rev 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this…”
d. 7 different personalities
(1) Ephesus – A working church that had left its first love
(2) Smyrna – A suffering Church that need to preserver
(3) Pergamos – A worldly church infiltrated by idolatry
(4) Thyatira – A compromised church
(5) Sardis – A church that calls itself alive but is dead
(6) Philadelphia – A revived and persecuted Church
(7) Laodicea – A luke-warm church – a worldly church
e. All are told to “OVERCOME” – Rev 2:7; 11; 17; 26; 3:5; 12; 21
f. 7 different promises
(1) Ephesus – to eat of the tree of life – Rev 2:7
(2) Smyrna – to not be hurt in the second death – Rev 2:11
(3) Pergamos – to eat of the hidden manna and received a white stone – 2:17
(4) Thyatira – to have power over nations and the morning star– Rev 2:26-28
(5) Sardis – to be clothed with white raiment – name in the book of life – Rev 3:5
(6) Philadelphia – to be made a pillar and given a new name – Rev 3:12
(7) Laodicea – to sit with Jesus on his throne – Rev 3:21
4. The application of these letters
a. The Contemporary Purpose – These were direct letters to seven literal and existing churches at that time.
b. The Composite Purpose – These letters were to be applied to churches in all ages.
c. The Chronological Purpose – These letters show the 7 periods of church history from Pentecost to the Rapture.
d. The Comforting and Conviction Purpose – I believe that the letters are admonishments and encouragements to Christians individually as well.
