Revelation 2-3 – The Seven ChurchesActual churches in John’s day.

Mirror problems we have seen throughout history.Often similar to different historical periods.

Revelation 2-3 – The Seven ChurchesFor churches to be successful, they need to embrace the

great truths, warnings, encouragements, and motivations found here!

Revelation 2:1 – The picture of JesusChrist is pictured as One giving honor to the messengers

(“angels” or pastors) of the churches.

He is One is walks among them, possibly as the Judge.

Revelation 2:2-3 – The CommendationThey are commended for the their good works, their

hard work, for their endurance in the faith, and for their intolerance of evil.

Revelation 2:2-3 – The CommendationThey are unwilling to tolerate false claims to gifts,

especially apostolic gifts.

Revelation 2:2-3 – The CommendationWe sometimes are led to believe it is unspiritual to

question, in particular when it comes to spiritual gifts or claims to the miraculous.

The opposite is true.1 Thess. 5:19-22; also 1 Cor. 14:27-33, 39-40; 2 Cor. 12:12

Revelation 2:6 – The Commendation“Nicolaitans”

Connected with immorality and idolatry?2:14-15

May have wrongly exalted leadership over laity.

Revelation 2:6 – The CommendationThere are many things God hates.

Dt. 12:31; Ps. 5:4-6; Pr. 6:16-19; Zech. 8: 16- 17; Mal. 2:16

Revelation 2:4 – The CondemnationThey had left their first love.

Matt. 10:37-38; 22:36-40

Years before, they had been commended for it!Eph. 1:15

Revelation 2:4 – The CondemnationOur past or present conditions do not guarantee not

having a problem tomorrow!

Revelation 2:4 – The CondemnationLiteral Greek = (for emphasis)“Your first love you have left”

Signed Yoda

Revelation 2:4 – The CondemnationKnowledge alone can make us proud.

How we use it and how we view ourselves in relation to our brethren is critical!

1 Cor. 8:1-3

1 Tim. 1:5!

Revelation 2:5a – The RemedyThey were to…

1) Remember2) Repent3) Do what they used to do

Revelation 2:5a – The RemedyLuke 24:28-35; John 15:1-10; Ephesians 3:14-19

“Orthodoxy and service are not enough. Christ wants believers’ hearts as well as their hands and heads.”

Walvoord

Revelation 2:5b – The WarningFailure to deal with this issue would destroy their

testimony.

They would cease to be used as a church.

Notice: Luke 14:25-35!

Revelation 2:7 – The Promise“He who has an ear…”

Is anyone listening?

Revelation 2:7 – The PromiseNotice that this is a message to a church!

Individuals also need to respond!

Revelation 2:7 – The PromiseGalatians 2:20

Christ lives in me!How can I respond during the Lord’s Supper to

remember, to encourage?…during the instruction?

…during the music?…in service both today and throughout the week?

Revelation 2:7 – The PromiseScripture is clear that Christ abides among us?

Are we abiding in Him?

Revelation 2:7 – The Promise“Tree of Life”

It is in the midst of Paradise.

Unbelievers can’t get to it!

Revelation 2:7 – The PromiseThe promise seems to be an enhanced experience of life!

Genesis = 2:9; 3:17, 22, 24 (4)Proverbs = 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4 (4)

Revelation = 2:7; 22:2 (2)