Rev - Ch 2&3: Letters to 7 Churches - Part1
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· 8 viewsExamine the 2nd chapter of Revelation. Looking at the messages to the first 4 churches.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
What we cover tonight
What we cover tonight
Chapter 2: letters of Jesus to: Pergamum and Smyrna
Welcome
Welcome
(Opener for each class ) who am I: Ken Geer
Thanks for visiting our church. If your a member of another church, you remain a member of that church, and we bless your church, and thank you for joining us for this study. We look foreword to more unity in the body of Jesus.. each church of Jesus is a candle in the dark and we are praying that we may all grow brighter, in these end times. we must all work together.
Other churches may have slightly different perspectives on Revelation . That is just fine. I am comfortable with that . It is OK to have differences. I will give you my view, and why I hold my view. I will do my best to accurately represent other major views. we are looking to study the Bible, not confirm our bias. so we must be willing to study.
Our desire is to be like the good Bereans. they were challenged with a strange new teaching that Jesus was the messiah and had been crucified. they had to deal with a pretty unsettling set of thoughts. but they got through it.
If you do have a corrections for me. you may briefly state you concern in the class in the form of a question, but it would be best for others if we hold our discussion/or disagreements on these things till after class. - I am happy to learn and grow. I am not the final authority on revelation. For that I refer you to Jesus.
Pray
Pray
Invite the Holy spirit, ask him to give us a spirit of humility unity and love. Make us more like Jesus.
Jesus let us know and LOVE with our whole heart: “Your word, your Will and your Ways”
Video (7 churches of revelation part 2)
Video (7 churches of revelation part 2)
to catch attention, and pull people in - but then do intro.
See the video documentary series: https://vimeo.com/589470462
Intro
Intro
Imagine yourself as a member of a tiny and embattled church. False and unscrupulous teachers are splitting your congregation. Members of a rival religious group are stirring up trouble for you in your community. Even the government is making it dangerous for you to remain faithful to the Lord. Now a letter arrives from the most respected Christian leader in your area, and you are asked to read it to the assembled church.
The Navigators, LifeChange: Revelation, ed. Karen Lee-Thorp, The LifeChange Bible Study Series (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2011), 21.
Summary Chapter 1
Summary Chapter 1
Main Character?: Jesus
Who is the Author?: Jesus
John is the 80 yr old messenger boy who wrote down the message from Jesus. This is John the Beloved the disciple Jesus loved. He has longed to see Jesus ever since Jesus had said that he might get to see jesus when he comes back.
Any thought what you learned in chapter 1?
The blessing
The blessing
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
John, is the messenger, the letters are from jesus!
This chapter is filled if a descriptions of Jesus!
John has been waiting for for 60 years. He is now able to see Jesus face to face, and He cant even wait to describe the full vision, he starts gushing about JESUS is Friend and LORD that he saw.
List what we about Jesus: He is… the focus!
v1 Jesus is the one who gives this Revelation. It is his Pastoral letter from the Good Shepherd to his Flock.
v1 Jesus is the who sends his angels to people
v5 Jesus is a faithful witness
v5 Jesus is the firstborn of the dead
v5 Jesus is the ruler of the kings on the earth
v5 Jesus is the one who loves us
v5 Jesus is the one who frees us from sin (with his BLOOD!)
v6 Jesus is the one who made us a kingdom of God
v6 Jesus is the one who made us Priests to his GOD & Father!
v6 Jesus is worthy to receive glory(praise, honor, brightness, splendor) forever and ever
v6 Jesus is one who has dominion(power & Authority) forever and ever!
v7 Jesus is is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.
v8 Jesus is the Alpha and Omega (him who is, and him who was, and him who is to come)
v8 Jesus is the Almighty
v9 Jesus is with us in Tribulation
v9 Jesus is with us in His Kingdom
v9 Jesus is with us in Patient Endurance
v10 Jesus has a voice like a Trumpet (but also many waters)
v13 Jesus is moves in the midst of the lampstands (churches)
v13 Jesus looks like a son of man,
V13 Jesus is clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
v14 Jesus is hair is white, like white wool, like snow.
v14 Jesus is eyes are like a flame of fire,
v15 Jesus’ feet arelike burnished bronze, refined in a furnace
v15 Jesus’ voice was like the roar of many waters.
v16 In Jesus right hand he held seven stars (angels of CHurches)
v16 From Jesus’ mouth came a sharp two-edged sword
v16 Jesus face was like the sun shining in full strength.
v17 Jesus is the one who tells us “FEAR NOT, I am first and last”
v18 Jesus is the living one, who died, and is alive forevermore.
v18 Jesus has the keys of Death & Hades
v20 Jesus is the one that explains the symbols of revelation. The Stars=angels. the Lampstands = Churches.
Jesus’ letters to 7 churches- Part1
Jesus’ letters to 7 churches- Part1
Where are we in the outline of Revelation?
Revelation is like a club sandwich with lots of separate levels.
Or an orange peal that has been meticulously pealed and wraps around a few times.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Where are these cities?
Where are these cities?
The Apostle Paul had sent letters to seven churches—Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica—and now JESUS is sending a personal letter to each of seven different churches!
See the map.
the 7 churches
The order of the churches
Is that all the churches of the world at that time?
No, Antioch, Corinth, etc...
Why these churches?
John may have had direct over sight to these churches before he was exiled. Just like the letters to all those other cities, Rome, Thessalonica and Ephesus, and Corinth were for those churches specifically at that time, they were also to be passed around and shared as they had messages that all Christians needed to learn from.
Why only 7 churches?
7 is an important theme in Revelation. Not a Magic number. But it is significant. There is a sense of completeness with 7 that is not present in other numbers. For creation was completed in 7 days.
In the bible the first mention of a thing is the extremely significant.
7 is the Number of God for he rested on the 7th day.
6 is the number of Man for Man was created on the 6th day.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Seven)
SEVEN—This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest.
“Jacob’s seven years’ service to Laban;
Pharaoh’s seven fat oxen and seven lean ones;
the seven branches of the golden candlestick;
the seven trumpets and the seven priests who sounded them; the seven days’ siege of Jericho;
the seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, and many others, sufficiently prove the importance of this sacred number” (see Lev. 25:4; 1 Sam. 2:5; Ps. 12:6; 79:12; Prov. 26:16; Isa. 4:1; Matt. 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4).
The feast of Passover (Ex. 12:15, 16), the feast of Weeks (Deut. 16:9), of Tabernacles (16:13), and the Jubilee (Lev. 25:8), were all ordered by seven.
Seven is the number of sacrifice (2 Chr. 29:21; Job 42:8),
Seven is the number of purification and consecration (Lev. 4:6, 17; 8:11, 33; 14:9, 51),
Seven is the number of forgiveness 70x7 (Matt. 18:21, 22; Luke 17:4),
Seven is the number of reward (Deut. 28:7(enemy flees 7 ways); 1 Sam. 2:5(barren on bore 7 children),
Seven is the number of punishment (Lev. 26:21-28(if we walk against the lord we are punished 7 times for our sins), Deut. 28:25(we ill flee 7 ways).
Seven is the number for any round number in such passages as Job 5:19; Prov. 26:16, 25; Isa. 4:1; Matt. 12:45.
Seven is the number used also to mean “abundantly” (Gen. 4:15, 24; Lev. 26:24; Ps. 79:12).
When are these churches?
95 AD very strong case for it I think.
Revelation (Date)
external evidence for the date of Revelation is the testimony of Hegeippus (AD150) & Irenaeus (AD 120-202): it was written in the reign of Domitian (81–96 C.E.).
This is strongly opposed by Preterits who think all of revelation is history and desire a early date of AD65 to make their case more plausible. We will address this view of revelation another night.
Common structure for each letter
Common structure for each letter
We are going to visit the churches in a different order today.
Before we do, Lets examine the format of the letters.
Have you noticed as you read the letters to the 7 churches, that each letter follows a format or a form?
Format of each letter
“To the angel of the church in...
Christ’s Person (described form chapter 1)
Christ’s Observation
Christ’s Accusation & Approval
Christ’s Call to Action
Christ’s Consequence, or Promise.
See Chart on page 3 of Jack Hayford’s handout.
https://www.jackhayford.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Studies-in-the-Book-of-Revelation.pdf
To the angel of the church in Pergamum
To the angel of the church in Pergamum
Read out loud Rev 2:12–17 The Message to Pergamum
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
“ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
City: Pergamum
City: Pergamum
Remember what was in this city?
Sharp Rugged Hill. 1000 ft tall, fortress.
One of the most beautiful cities
Founded by ZEUS, Athena, and Heracles. (in myth)
under Rome this is one of the most important cities in the Area.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Attalid Dynasty
The Roman historian Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) calls the city “the most famous place of Asia” (Pliny, Natural History, 5.126). When the provincial capital was later moved to Ephesus, the governor continued to keep court in Pergamum regularly.
Temples
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Temples
The city had numerous temples dedicated to Greek deities (Athena, Zeus, Dionysius, Asclepius, Hera, Demeter, and Persephone) as well as Egyptian deities (Serapis, Isis, and Harpocrates).
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Temples
The Pergamum patron deities, whose attributes appeared on the city’s coinage, included Athena, Zeus, Dionysius, and Asclepius.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Temples
The temple to Athena (Athena Nikephoros, “Victory-Bearer”) located next to the theatre was perhaps the most important religious site for the city, as she is part of the mythology of Pergamum’s origins. Attalid kings credited Athena for their military victories and named her the city’s patron goddess in the manner of Athens. The monumental gate (propylon) of the sanctuary of Athena has been restored and is displayed in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Temples
The sanctuary of Zeus was a close second in significance. The great altar to honor Zeus was built under Eumenes II and Attalus II. The altar was identified on the acropolis during the first archaeological excavation of the city in 1878 (German Archaeological Institute). It would have been the most visible monument to people approaching the city across the valley. The altar is preserved in remarkably good condition and displayed in the Pergamum Museum in Berlin. Its decorations depict scenes from a battle between Olympian gods and the giants, as well as scenes from the life of Telephus, the city’s legendary founder.
Perhaps the THRONE OF SATAN
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Temples
The temple of Dionysius, patron god of arts and theatre, is located next to the theatre and is among the best preserved ruins of ancient Pergamum. The original sanctuary from the time of Eumenes II was redesigned under the reign of Emperor Caracalla (AD 198–217).
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Medicine
The Asclepion—the shrine of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing—was built in the lower city during the Roman period. Most of the buildings visible there today belong to the rebuilding that took place in the second century AD. However, the cult of Asclepius at Pergamum dates back to about 350 BC, when it was introduced from Epidaurus in Greece (Pausanias, Description of Greece, 2.26.8). The Asclepion functioned as a combined sanctuary, spa, and hospital. This ancient medicinal destination was second only to the one at Epidaurus, and its numerous healing pools, sacred spring, and mud treatments attracted pilgrims, visitors, and patients from a great distance—including the emperor. So popular was the cult of Asclepius in Pergamum that the serpent, the symbol of Asclepius, became one of the emblems of the city.
Christ’s Person: sharp two-edged sword.
Christ’s Person: sharp two-edged sword.
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Sharp Two edged sword
Sharp Two edged sword
what is the sword?
Revelation The Vision (1:9–20)
What does the “sharp, double-edged sword” (1:16) seem to signify? (Consider Isaiah 49:2; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 2:16; 19:15, 21.)
Gods WORD is going to be important to this church
Christ’s Commendation:
Christ’s Commendation:
“ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
They live in a very demonic place. and have not denied Jesus
Satan’s Throne
Satan’s Throne
Christ’s Accusation & Approval:
Christ’s Accusation & Approval:
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
The teaching of Balaam
The teaching of Balaam
Teaching of Balaam what is that?
BALAAM, SON OF BEOR: A non-Israelite seer whom the Moabites hire to curse the Israelites as they travel from Egypt to the promised land.
Num 22 - 24
Living with stumbling blocks, and not cutting them off and placing margin around your life. compromise with the enemy is very dangerous.
the rampant sexuality at the most popular temple.
The demonic control at Zeus’ temple.
are strong inhibitors to walking with the LORD
Peter also had to warn Christians of this same danger
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!
Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,
but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
There is one more issue the Lord Jesus has with them.
So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
We will get to them soon And lean more about who they are.
Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Christ’s Consequence, or Promise to overcomers:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
CONQUER, (Overcome): a description of devotion to God.
Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.
What does the Christians at Pergamum (and all churches)need to do to overcome?
To the angel of the church in Smyrna
To the angel of the church in Smyrna
Read out loud Rev 2:8–11 The Message to Smyrna
Revelation 2:8–11 (ESV)
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that 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, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
City: Smyrna
City: Smyrna
Famous for it beauty and the pubic buildings on the hill. Population of 100K people!
Temple to emperor Tiberius: Archaeologist have discovered dedications to emperors Titus and Domitian and statues of them. This was a huge threat for the Christians in Smyrna.
Important sea port on edge of trade route!
Excelled in Medicine and Science
Many guilds (basket-fishermen, tanners, silversmiths, and goldsmiths) - and membership required sacrificing to a pagan deity. and probably the emperor as well. David Seal, “Smyrna,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).)
This left Christians in a difficult position, economically.
Christ’s Person:
Christ’s Person:
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
There is no doubt of Jesus resurrection power. This is importation for the message that Jesus will give to Smyrna Christians.
Each letter calls out a different aspect of Jesus from chapter 1, and has further references later in Revelation.
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Christ’s Commendation:
Christ’s Commendation:
“ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that 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, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
These Christians were pour and going through a terrible trial. But they are gong to suffer even more.
Tribulation - (Trials probably from Romans )
Poverty (but not true poverty for they are rich in the things that really matter)
Slander - (from Synagogue of Satan)
Prison, (Satan will do this soon)
More Testing/Tribulatino for “10 days”
End in death - that appears to end in death but not really if they remain Faithful to Jesus they will receive a “crown of life” The power of God to provide resurrection , and the Hope of the resurrection in the first fruits of Jesus resurrection.
this message is repeated for us in James.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Synagogue of Satan:
Synagogue of Satan:
They were being slandered by fake-jews! Literally people lying to claim they are Jewish!
(that might be the last time that ever happened.)
Jesus mentions this group again in Rev3:9
Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
are they Jews? NO
Unbelievably many commentaries often call them Jews. Your all better than half the commentaries
Be careful not everyone who writes a bible commentary is trust worthy - perhaps some commentaries are written by the synagogue of satan!.
What advantage is there to being a Jew at this time?
The phrase may also refer to Christians who sought protection from the synagogue during times of difficulty.
The movie (i think) documentary indicated that there were advantages for Jews at that time. They had an “exemption” from the “worship the emperor” requirement as an official state sanctioned alternative. Deep State Bureaucracy causing more evil! First they creat a problem (worship a human), then solve it by giving favors to special classes. (somethings never change)
Notice Jesus give them no promise to save them in this life.
Christ’s Accusation & Approval:
Christ’s Accusation & Approval:
What there is no accusation. This church is doing well.
Christ’s Consequence, or Promise to overcomers:
Christ’s Consequence, or Promise to overcomers:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches:
Do you have hears, but not see?
Do you have hears but not hear?
The focus here is on the fact that those that love Jesus to the end will not really die.
CONQUER, (Overcome): a description of devotion to God.
Do not succumb, Do not give in, stay in LOVE, and FAITH and HOPE. for there is great reward waiting for you.
What does the Christians at Smyrna need to do to overcome?
simply overcome…
What reward will the overcoming Christians at Smyrna receive?
not be hurt by the second death. the one that happens at judgement.
will we also receive this same reward if we overcome?
Yes we will.
End of Part 1
End of Part 1