Introduction: We have a lot to cover this week! Scholars believe that
John’s message to each of the local churches is also a prophetic
message to the Christian church at various times in its history.
Each local church has certain characteristics and problems that
reflect the overall church during certain historical periods. Of
course, these statements are general descriptions, and I suspect that
each of us will identify with some of the problems outside our
“time.” The last church is Laodicea, and it represents the church
before Jesus’ Second Coming. I trust you agree with me that is our
time in history. Let’s dive into our study and learn what God has
for us in these descriptions of His church!
- Smyrna
- Read Revelation 2:8 and Revelation 1:17-18. Who is the
source of this revelation to John? (We decided last week
that it was Jesus.) - Notice how the message for the church in Smyrna
restates one of the characteristics of Jesus given in
the first chapter of Revelation. Why this repetition?
(We will see this for each of the churches. Jesus
cites that part of His experience or character that
is most appropriate for the situation faced by that
specific church.) - Read Revelation 2:9-11. What faces the church in Smyrna?
(Persecution and suffering.) - How does Jesus’ introduction of Himself benefit the
members of the Smyrna church? (Jesus reminds them
that He suffered and died, but was resurrected for
them. That is how Jesus is able to promise them “I
will give you the crown of life.”) - Pergamum
- Read Revelation 2:12-13. Today, the phrase “I know where
you live” is considered a threat. What does Jesus mean
here? (Jesus understands the circumstances of our life.
Here, the church is located in a city which was the first
in Asia to set up a temple to the worship of Octavius
Caesar, the Roman Emperor. This may be the reason it is
called “where Satan lives.” A prominent Christian leader
was martyred in that city, which leads us to believe that
the Christians there felt surrounded by danger.) - Read Revelation 2:14-15. What is the “teaching of Balaam?”
(If you want to read the back story, read Numbers 22-24
and Numbers 31:16. Essentially, King Balak wanted Balaam
the prophet to curse God’s people. Although Balaam wanted
the money he would get from the King, God would not allow
him to curse His people. Instead, Balaam suggested a way
that Balak could get God’s people to sin, and thus attempt
to separate them from the true God.) - Read Numbers 25:1-3. What is the sin that Balaam
suggested? (Moabite women would entice God’s people
into idol worship.) - Look at Revelation 2:14 again. With this background, how
do you think some members of Pergamum held “to the
teaching of Balaam?” (I don’t think the issue is food
sacrificed to idols or sexual immorality. Balaam taught a
way around the express desire of God – that His people
remain faithful and not be cursed. Balaam taught a way in
which God’s people could bring a curse upon themselves.) - How would you apply this lesson today? Who are the
“Balaam prophets” that we should avoid? (Balaam
wanted to enrich himself, and he was willing to try
to harm God’s people to do it. Thus, I think any
scheme for personal enrichment of a church leader
which harms God’s people presents this kind of
problem.) - Read 1 Corinthians 8:4-9. What does this say about
eating food offered to idols? (It says it is fine if
you realize that an idol is nothing (and you do not
harm the “weak” conscience person who has not figured
this out yet). This is why I’m doubtful that Balaam’s
sin was inducing people to eat food offered to
idols.) - Read Revelation 2:16-17. How does this fit the
introduction of the message to Pergamum about Jesus having
a sword? (It reminds us that Jesus also has a judgment
side to His character.) - What do you think is meant by the “hidden manna” and
the “white stone?” (Exodus 16 talks about manna. It
is God’s way to meet the physical needs of His
people. Robertson’s New Testament Word Studies tells
us that a “white stone” was used in courts of justice
and it symbolized being acquitted of the charges
against you. Thus, God will meet your physical needs
and His grace will rescue you personally from your
sins.) - Thyatira
- Read Revelation 2:18-19. What kind of deeds does this
church have? (More than in the past. The assumption is
that these are good deeds.) - Is this a strong endorsement?
- Read Revelation 2:20. In light of what we just discussed
about Balaam and food offered to idols, what do you think
is the problem with Jezebel? (This is another person who
claims to be a prophet. It must be that she promotes the
entire idol worship system involving sexual immorality and
food blessed by idols. If she taught that idols were
nothing, then this would not be a problem. Thus, she is
promoting values at odds with the gospel.) - Why do you think she is called “Jezebel?” Is that her
name? (Read 1 Kings 16:30-32 and 1 Kings 21:25-26. I
believe calling this so-called prophet “Jezebel” is
symbolic. Her situation is far different than that of
Balaam. Balaam was a prophet of God who struggled
with greed. Jezebel was an enemy of God. Thus, when
the text refers to her urging God’s people to eat
food sacrificed to idols, she wants them to believe
that the idols have real power.) - What do you think is the modern equivalent of a
Jezebel? - Read Revelation 2:21-23. Would a loving God cause intense
suffering? (These seem to be enemies of God. They are not
struggling Christians. If we are not saved by grace
(meaning our names written in the Book of Life), we will
be punished and suffer for our bad deeds in the final
judgment. See Revelation 20:11-15.) - Is punishment only about the final judgment? (I
contend that the Ten Commandments were given to us in
large part to make our lives better. We often suffer
in this life for our wrong choices.) - Read Revelation 2:24-25. How does this characterize the
teachings of Jezebel? (She is teaching Satan’s secrets.
This sounds very dark. This is further proof of the nature
of Jezebel.) - What does God expect of those who have resisted the
temptation of Jezebel? (To just hold on.) - Sardis
- Read Revelation 3:1-3. Remember that the description of
Jesus has something to do with the nature of the church
being addressed. How is Sardis dead? (When we discussed
the “seven spirits” or seven messengers of Revelation 1:4,
I suggested that this is a reference to the Holy Spirit.
His role in the Trinity had not been mentioned before.
Thus, this church is “dead” because it lacks the power of
the Holy Spirit.) - Read Revelation 3:4-6. When these verses refer to not
soiling clothes, being worthy and overcoming, is this
talking about the good works of the righteous? (Read
Revelation 7:13-14. John understands that keeping our
robes “white” refers not to good deeds, but rather relying
on the blood of Jesus to cover our sins.) - Why does Revelation 3:4 refer to the “walk” of the
righteous? (This is the pattern of having a
relationship with Jesus. These are people who desire
to do God’s will while realizing that their good
deeds will never save them.) - Philadelphia
- Read Revelation 3:7-10. What is the connection between
Jesus’ “open door” authority and the saints in
Philadelphia? (These are challenged Christians. They are
accused of not being loved by Jesus, their strength is
fading away, but they are holding on. Jesus essentially
tells them “keep coming, I’m holding the door open for
you!”) - Look again at verse 10. Does this suggest that Jesus
delayed His Second Coming for their benefit – so that
they would miss the final tribulation? - Read Revelation 3:11-13. What does Jesus promise them if
they keep on towards the open door? - Laodicea
- Read Revelation 3:14-16. What does Jesus’ description of
Himself have to do with the members of this church? (He is
true and faithful, and they are compromisers: not hot and
not cold.) - Read Revelation 3:17-19. What is the primary problem of
these Christians? (They do not realize their true state of
sinfulness. They rely on their success, they are self-sufficient.) - What will happen to them? (Because Jesus loves them,
He will rebuke and discipline them.) - Read Revelation 3:20-22. What does Jesus want us to do?
(Be serious about being a Christian. Repent of our sins.
Let Jesus into our life because He wants to come in.) - Friend, do you see your life in the description of any of
the churches? If this has shown some action that you need
to take, why not, by the power of the Holy Spirit, do that
right now? - Next week: Worthy is the Lamb!
