Revelation 2+3

Revelation 2 + 3
Jesus speaks to 7 Churches
If you have ears to hear…
These chapters include principles for us (eras? types?)
Supernatural
Jesus talks about churches - it's super cool to hear from Jesus Himself what God thinks about churches. We get to see what's important to Him and what advice He has.

Formula for Messages
Greeting
Description/ title for Jesus
Assessment and Advice
“He who has an ear to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches”
Promise for “overcommers”

Rev. 2:1-7 Ephesus
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write: The One who hold the seven stars in His right hand, and the One who walks among the seven golden lamp stands, says this: “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 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. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember the height from which
you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp stand out of its place – unless you repent. Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear to hear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”
Ephesus – Truth without Love

Strengths
Endurance
Discernment
Truth
Loyalty to God’s name
Weaknesses
Leaving their first love
Advice= 1. REmember the height from which you have fallen. 2. Repent 3. Do tthe deeds you did at first

Rev. 2:8-11 Smyrna
Smyrna – Suffering and Poor
Strengths
Though poor and suffering, yet they are rich
Weaknesses
No indictment made
Advice = Be faithful even to death and recieve the crown of life

Rev. 2:12-17 Pergamum
Pergamum – Soft

Strengths
Not denying God’s faith and holding fast to His name – despite being in a hard spot.
Weaknesses
False teaching
Stumbling others
Sexual sin
Advice = Repent!

Rev. 2:18-29 Thyatira
Thyatira – Love w/o Truth
Strengths
Growth
Serving love
Faith and perseverance
Weaknesses
Infiltrated by an evil false prophetess who encourages immorality
Advice = What you have; hold fast

Rev. 3:1-6 Sardis
Sardis – Dead or Dying

Strengths
Reputation
Well taught
A few pure people
Weaknesses
Dead, or dying
Advice = Wake up! And strengthen that which remains. And remember the things you have heard and keep them. And repent.

Rev. 3:7-13 Philadelphia
Philadelphia – Strong

Strengths
Little Power
Kept God’s word, and not denied Him
Perseverance
Missional
Weaknesses
No indictment given
Advice = Hold tight to what you have.


Rev. 3:14-22 Laodicea
Laodicea – Lazy, Rich, Proud
Strengths
No compliment given
Weaknesses
Lukewarm
Rich and proud
Deceived
Advice = Get riches and adornment and vision/insight from Me. Be zealous and repent. And open the door of your heart and invite me in for a relationship.

Titles for/Descriptions of Jesus
Holds the 7 stars and walks among the 7 lamp stands
The first and the last, who was dead but has come to life
Has the sharp 2-edged sword
Has eyes like the flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze
Has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars
Holy, true
Has the key of David who can open and shut things that can’t be changed
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God

Promises for Overcommers
Eating from the tree of life in the Paradise of God
Not hurt by the 2nd death
Will receive hidden manna
A white stone with a secret name
Authority and the morning star
Clothed in white garments
Not erased from the book of life
Confessed by name in front of God and the angels
Becomes a pillar in the temple with names written on him
Sitting with Christ on His throne

For Further Study
John Stott’s “What Jesus Says To the Churches”
http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/revelation/gary/2007/index.htm
Walvoord’s “Revelation”
Tenney’s “Interpreting Revelation”