The Loveless Church in Ephesus
(Revelation
2:1-7)
I. Christ’s Characteristics
to the Loveless Church
(v.1)
A. He that
holds the seven stars in His right hand [Master of the messengers to the Churches]
B. Who walks
in the midst of the golden candlesticks [Omnipresent Lord of the Churches]
II. Christ’s Commendation to the Loveless
Church (v.2, 3)
A. I know thy works
B. I know thy labor
C. I know thy patience
D. I know thou can not bear them
which are evil
E. I know thou has tried them
which say they are apostles and are not and has found them liars
F. I know thou has borne, and had
patience
G. I know thou has labored for My
name’s sake
H. I know thou has not fainted
III. Christ’s Condemnation to the Loveless
Church (v.4)
A. Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee
B.
Because thou has left thy
first love
IV. Christ’s Commands to the Loveless Church (v.5)
A. Remember from whence thou art
fallen
B. Repent
C. Do the first works
D. Or else I will come unto thee
quickly
E. And will remove thy
candlestick out of thy place
F. Except thou repent
V. Christ’s Commendation to the Loveless
Church (v.6)
A. But this thou hast that thou hates the deeds
of the Nicolaitans
B. Which I also hate
VI. Christ’s Counsel to the Loveless Church (v.7)
A. He that has an ear let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches
B. To him that overcomes will I
give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God
The Persecuted Church in Smyrna
(Revelation 2:8-11)
I.
Christ’s Characteristics to the Persecuted Church (v.8) Satan
Instigating Persecution
A. The
First and Last [Sovereign of Time]
B. Which
was dead and is alive [Lord of Death/Last Enemy]
II. Christ’s Commendation to the Persecuted Church
(v.9)
A. I
know thy works [Efforts, Energy Expended-Ergos]
B. I
know thy tribulation [Thlipsis-Pressure,Trouble, Persecution/Beleiver-38 of 45
times in N.T.]
C. I
know thy poverty [Destitute of Riches]
D. But
thou art rich [In Faith]
E. I
know the blasphemy …Jews [Religious Persecutors]
III. Christ’s Counsel to the Persecuted Church (v.10)
A. Fear
none of those things…you are about to suffer [It’s God’s Plan-He is in complete
control]
B. Behold
the devil [Is about to cast some of you into prison-limiting spiritual freedom
for a time]
C. That
ye may be tried [Purpose is to perfect your faith-In your patience possess ye
your souls-Luke 21:19]
D. Ye
shall have tribulation (10) days [Period predetermined by the Lord!!-It is
necessary and good for you]
E. Be
thou faithful unto death [Give God the Maximum Glory with your life!! Be just
like Jesus]
F. I
will give thee a crown of life [Give the Max/Die for Me and I will reward thee
openly and eternally]
IV. Christ’s Conclusion to the Persecuted Church
(v.11)
A. He
that hath an ear [Blessed is the man that endures temptn, for when he is tried
he will receive… Js 1:12]
B. He
that overcomes shall not be hurt of the 2nd death [God rewards the
one who gets the victory!!]
The Compromising Church
in Pergamos
(Revelation 2:12-17)
I. Christ’s Characteristic
to the Compromising Church (v.12) Satan Influencing Principles
A. He
which hath the sharp two-edged sword [Word of God-Life or Death-Two Edges]
B. He
which hath the instrument of war/death [Romphia-Used specifically as a killing
instrument]
II. Christ’s Commendation of the Compromising Church (v.13)
A. I
know thy works [Efforts-Energy Expended-Ergos]
B. Where
thou dwells [Difficult Place-Official Seat/Throne of Satan]
C. Even
where Satan’s Seat is [Intense opposition to the Truth-13:2, 16:10]
D. Thou
holds fast My name [Continued to grasp/hang on to the name of the Lord]
E. Thou
hast not denied My faith, even in those days…martyr [Antipas: Against all
odds/obstacles]
III. Christ’s Condemnation of the Compromising Church (v.14,15)
A. Doctrine
of Baalam (Jude 11; II Pet 2:15-Money Motivated)
1. Stumbling
Block [Trap/Bird/Snare]
2. Eat
Sacrifice/Idols [Compromise Num 25:1,2-24k Leaders killed by Moses-Spirit’l
Defilement]
3. Commit
Fornication [Played harlot w/daughters/Moab Num 31:16-Physical Defilement]
B. Doctrine
of Nicolaitans [People Conquerors]
1. Tolerated
by some [Breaking of 1st Commandment-Submit to Pressure instead of
Principle]
2. Compromise
w/religious culture [Beginning of Priest/People/Roman Catholic Prototype]
IV. Christ’s Command to the Compromising Church
(v.16)
A. Repent:
*Recognize Sin against Holy God
*Confession/Contrition/Cleansing
*Return to the Lord
B. Or
Else: *I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the Sword
of My Mouth!
V. Christ’s Counsel
to the Compromising Church (v.17)
A. He
that hath an ear [Warning: 13:9, Mt 11:15]
B. He
that overcomes [Promise/Reward]
1. Give
to eat of the hidden manna [Eternal Provision s/a Ex 16:4ff Manna/Ark]
2. Give
white stone [Special Vote/Opportunity for Reward]
3. Give
new name [Fitting of the Faithful/Victorious]
The Divided Church
in Thyatira
(Revelation 2:18-29)
I. Christ’s Characteristics
to the Divided Church (v.18)-Satan Intervening Person
A. His Title: Son
of God [Only time in Revelation]
B. His Eyes as a
Flame of Fire [Righteous Judge]
C. His Feet like
Fine Brass [Picture of Judgment-Holy One/Israel]
II. Christ’s Commendation to the Divided Church
(v.19)
A. I
know thy works [Energy Expended-Efforts-Ergos]
B. I
know thy charity [Mental Attitude]
C. I
know thy service [Ministry to others]
D. I
know thy faith [Faithfulness/Dependability]
E. I
know thy patience [Enduring under pressure]
III. Christ’s Condemnation of the Divided Church
(v.20) [Most Lengthy and Severe]
A. Defilement: Thou suffers that woman Jezebel [Wicked
Usurping Baal Worshipping Murderess/Whore]
1. Teach:
To instruct, instill doctrine
2. Seduce:
Servants to commit fornication [Physical Defilement] Deceive, beguile, lead astray
3. Seduce:
Servants to eat things offered to idols [Spiritual Defilement]
B. Doctrine
Devils False (v.20, 24)
C. Depths
of Satan (v.24)
IV. Christ’s Correction/Call to the Divided Church
(v.23)
A. Gave
her space to repent [Certain Season of Time]
B. Behold,
I will cast her into a bed [Warning of Dire Physical Consequences]
C. I
will kill her children w/death [Warning of Dire Spiritual Consequences]
D. I
will give everyone according to their works [Warning of Dire Eternal
Consequences]
V. Christ’s Counsel to the Divided Church (v.24-28)
A. I
will put none other burden upon you [No other heaviness, weight to carry]
B. Hold
fast till I come [Grasp, cling, cleave to the Truth/Christ] Near/Far
Application
VI. Christ’s Conclusion to the Divided Church (v.29)
A. He
that overcomes and keeps My works unto the end [Reward=Millennium Blessings]
B. He
that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith/churches [Spirit speaks to
those to whom it is given]
