Lesson 7

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Journey through Revelation 4. Refocus (3:4–6)

I remember when I played basketball. At the beginning of the game, it was always a great feeling to hear the announcer call out the names of the starting players as we ran out to line up at center court. What a special time! I think it will be that way in heaven. Christ will announce the name of each of His true followers before God the Father and before his angels. In Matthew 10:32b, what does Jesus promise if you confess, or acknowledge, Him before men, or people, (ANTHRŌPOS, awn’-throw-pos)?

7-8
Matthew 10:32 (NKJV)
32“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
Journey through Revelation 4. Refocus (3:4–6)

1. Attire. He says: “ ‘… they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy’ ” (3:4c). These are not earthly white clothes, but heavenly white clothes that will be given to the righteous in heaven. They are like the clothes of the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. How are they described in Mark 9:3?

7-7
 Mark 9:3 (NKJV)
3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
The clothes were shinny white, whiter than anything in this world.
Journey through Revelation 3. Repent (3:3c–f)

To obey God’s Word in the area of rekindling your spiritual life, you must first repent (3:3c). This requires more than just being sorry for the sin of letting your spiritual flames die down. The word repent (METANOEŌ, meta-no’-oh) refers to a change of mind based on reflection. It means a change of mind followed by a change in behavior. You must do a spiritual “about face” and start living whole-heartedly for Christ. How does Lamentations 3:40 describe what it means to repent?

7-6
Lamentations 3:40 (NKJV)
40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord;
To repent is to recognise the error in your ways, ask God for forgiveness and then change your ways accordingly.
Journey through Revelation 2. Remember (3:3a–b)

Jesus says to the church at Sardis: “ ‘Remember, then, what you received and heard’ ” (3:3a). There are two things to remember if you want to rekindle your spiritual flame. First, you must remember the salvation you received in Christ. You need to remember how you were saved. According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, what did God do for your sake so you might be the righteousness of God in Christ?

7-4
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
God made Jesus the sacrifice for our sin, by His death on the cross.
Journey through Revelation 2. Remember (3:3a–b)

Once you see what the Bible says about your condition, “ ‘keep it,’ ” or “hold fast” (3:3b), which means to obey. It is not enough to know what the Bible says. How does James 1:22 express this fact?

7-5
James 1:22 (NKJV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James says that it isn't enough to read the Word, but we must put what we read into actions.
Journey through Revelation 1. Recognize (3:1–2)

The spiritual fire in the church at Sardis is dying. Therefore, the Lord wants them to strengthen the few signs of spiritual life that remain. How does our Lord describe their condition (3:2d)?

7-3
Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Journey through Revelation 1. Recognize (3:1–2)

To rekindle your spiritual life, first recognize your need. Addressing the previous four churches, our Lord began with a word of commendation. However, our Lord’s first word to the church at Sardis is: “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive’ ” (3:1c–d). Then, what does our Lord say to the church at Sardis (3:1e)?

7-2
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Journey through Revelation Lesson 7: Rekindling Your Spiritual Life (Revelation 3:1–6)

Our Lord introduces Himself to the “angel,” or pastor, “of the church in Sardis,” and says, “write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars …’ ” (3:1a–b). The seven spirits of God are mentioned four times in Revelation (1:4; 3:1; 4:5, & 5:6). It refers to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. (See comments on page 11.) Only the power of the Holy Spirit can revitalize a church or a believer. Why, according to Ephesians 3:16b?

7-1
Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV)
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
Paul tells them that only the Holy Spirit can strengthen us to overcome our weakness.
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