06 Revelation What The Spirit Says To The Churches (2)

Lesson 6 What the Spirit Says to the Churches (2) Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation By Dale Wells Text: Rev 2.18-3.22

Rev 2:18-29 WEB ,[object Object]

Thyatira - modern Akhisar - was about 45 miles east of Pergamum ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Paul's first convert in Philippi was a Thyatiran merchant named Lydia ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

In spite of reason to compromise the church is basically faithful ,[object Object],[object Object]

The Messenger ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

It is a reminder of the divine messenger sent to Daniel ,[object Object]

The Message ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jezebel was the queen to one of Israel's most decadent kings ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

But the one with piercing eyes sees through this woman & her followers ,[object Object],[object Object]

For the rest, the Lord only says "Hold on to what you have" (i.e. be faithful) ,[object Object],[object Object]

The Promise ,[object Object],[object Object]

The second part of the promise is "I will give him the morning star" ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The symbolism of the star was sometimes used to signify dominion ,[object Object],[object Object]

Looking to the distant future, Balaam saw the rise of the Messiah's star ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

In simple terms, Jesus promises himself to the overcomers ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sardis - the modern Bin Tepe - was about thirty miles south of Thyatira ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sardis was in very early times an important commercial city ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sardis sat 1500 feet up on a ledge jutting out of the side of a mountain ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

From the Persians it passed into the hands of Alexander the Great ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Sardis boasted a necropolis ("city of the dead") that was visible for 7 miles ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The Messenger ,[object Object]

The "Seven Spirits of God" refers to the Holy Spirit ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The figure comes from Zechariah ,[object Object]

The 7 stars have been identified as messengers of the 7 churches ,[object Object],[object Object]

The church, like the city, appears to be resting on its reputation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Popular doctrine says works don't matter; the Bible says otherwise ,[object Object]

If the church doesn't wake up, Jesus will execute his own sneak attack ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The promise is threefold ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

This idea of God keeping a book of names runs through the Bible ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

In Revelation, everyone worships the beast, except for those in the Book of Life ,[object Object],[object Object]

In Judgment, the key question is: Was one's name in the Book of Life? ,[object Object]

The New Jerusalem is home to those with names in the Book of Life ,[object Object],[object Object]

Philadelphia - modern Alasehir ("City of Allah") - was 28 miles SE of Sardis ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The region was earthquake prone ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus doesn’t have a single word of condemnation for the church ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

There are four aspects to the self-designation in this letter ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

"The True One" is a recognized title of the Messiah in Revelation ,[object Object],[object Object]

Elsewhere in the NT Jesus is called "the true" something or another ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The figure of the "key of David" comes from the Prophet Isaiah ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The metaphor of the open door was a common one ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

We will see the metaphor of the door in the Book of Revelation ,[object Object],[object Object]

The "open door" here is opportunity in the midst of opposition ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus wants people to keep his word ,[object Object],[object Object]

As in Smyrna, this opposition had come from the Jewish community ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

This is a reminder of similar promises to God's people in the OT ,[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus goes on to give assurances to the faithful within the church ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

He urges them to persevere in light of his judgment & justification ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The Lord's coming can bring threat of punishment or promise of reward ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

First, Jesus promises stability ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Second, Jesus promises access ,[object Object],[object Object]

God's people are seen elsewhere with God's name on their foreheads ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus promises a part in the "new Jerusalem" ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Laodicea (Eskisehir) was 45 mi. SE of Philadelphia & 100 E of Ephesus ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

In the 1 st Century, it was one of the most flourishing cities of Asia Minor ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

It was the chief city of a Roman conventus or political district ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Epaphras was from there and Paul wrote at least one letter to the church ,[object Object]

The church, like the city, is cocky & self-assured ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The Messenger ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus calls himself "the Head of God's Creation" ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus makes references that would have been familiar to the Laodiceans ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Then, Jesus moves to more figures that were familiar to the Laodiceans ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus counsels them - and others like them - to make needed changes ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Jesus adds a picture we are all familiar with - knocking at the door ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

People who are not ready may find themselves shut out ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

This promise of sitting on thrones and judging is developed elsewhere ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The proof of our future victory is the fact that Jesus is already victorious ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Seven Lessons from Seven Letters ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

1. Christ knows every Christian ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

2. Christ wants churches to guard their teaching ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

3. Christ wants Christians to grow in service ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

4. Christ wants Christians to live in purity ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

5. Christ wants Christians to be ready for persecution ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

6. Christ wants Christians to know they can be lost ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

7. Christ will reward Christians who overcome ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

06 Revelation What The Spirit Says To The Churches (2)

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06 Revelation What The Spirit Says To The Churches (2)