LESSON NINETEEN

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“Loud VOICE like the SOUND of a TRUMPET, saying, 'Write on a SCROLL what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11

Scripture to read: Revelation 2 & 3

In the first chapter of Revelation Jesus first explains to John what he needs from him. Then he commissions John to write seven letters to the churches which will be represented by the seven lampstands going forth (burnished bronze at his feet). These letters will describe what the churches are doing good or bad and reflect the actions that have continued in the churches during the church age. The words of these letters were spoken by the seven spirits of God (eyes of the lamb), delivered by the seven angels (stars) of the churches to the seven churches (candlesticks).

“The SEVEN STARS are the angels of the seven churches, and the SEVEN CANDLESTICKS are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:20

First Letter to the church of Ephesus commends them for hard work, and for weeding out false prophets, despite persecution. They are also praised for opposing the teachings of a particular sect, the Nicolaitans. At the same time, the Ephesian church is criticized for being loveless. Their efforts are good, but they are slipping into coldness and religiosity, rather than Christian love.

“I know your deeds and your labor and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people, and you have put those who call themselves apostles to the test, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured on account of My name, and have not become weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But you have this that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:2-7

Second Letter to the church of Smyrna who suffers under especially brutal persecution. According to Jesus' words in this message, that experience is going to become worse before it gets better. A significant challenge for this congregation is a group of hostile Jewish leaders, referred to here as a "synagogue of Satan." Smyrna is praised for holding fast, despite this hardship. This is one of only two churches which Jesus does not criticize in some way.

“I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the slander by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:9-11

Third Letter to the church of Pergamum focuses on their inappropriate connections to false teachings, such as those of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. They are praised for resisting persecution, holding to their faith even when under threat.

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:14-17

Fourth Letter to the church of Thyatira who is commended for their ever-growing participation in good works. However, they are strongly rebuked for "tolerating" sexual temptations and idolatry as promoted by a particular woman. This person is identified as "Jezebel".

“I know your deeds, and your love and faith, and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bondservants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. The one who overcomes, and the one who keeps My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations. My Father: and I will give him the morning star. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches.” Revelation 2:19-28

Fifth Letter to the church of Sardis whose good reputation doesn't match their spiritual state. Jesus warns the church at Sardis to "wake up," and stop resting on their laurels. This church was too proud of their prior accomplishments to diligently work for the good of the Kingdom of God.

“I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches.” Revelation 3:1-6

Sixth Letter to the church of Philadelphia who is not given any rebuke from Jesus. Instead, they are praised for their perseverance in the face of dire persecution.

“I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth. The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches.” Revelation 3:8-13

Seventh Letter to the church of Laodicea who is charged with being spiritually inert: lukewarm, rather than either hot or cold receives no positive commentary. Criticized for being arrogant and apathetic rather than being spiritually passionate, they are passive. Instead of being cold, meaning they are more likely to respond to the gospel, they are just familiar enough with God to brush Him off. The lukewarm taste of the Laodiceans' religious life made Jesus feel so sick He felt like vomiting the church out of His mouth. This presents a useful analogy for evangelism, as well. Those who are spiritually "hot" are engaged in their faith. Those who are "cold" have an opportunity to be influenced in a powerful way by the gospel. But those who are "lukewarm" are in a worse condition than those who are "cold." They know "just enough" about Jesus, so they're not resistant, but they're also somewhat calloused to His voice.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,' and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says to the churches.” Revelation 3:15-22