Rev - Ch3: Letter to - Sardis

What we cover tonight

Chapter 3: letters of Jesus to: Sardis

Revelation 3:5 ESV

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

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

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”

Intro (Read this)

In the study of Revelation many are in a hurry to get into the “future things” but this section of the latters of Jesus to the Churches may be among the most important for us to understand clearly.

As we read each of these letters to the 7 churches, we are being asked to hear, (if we have ears to hear), what the spirit is saying to the churches. (plural). Not just saying to the 7 churches of revelation, but to all churches. Ours included. We are learning what it means to be Overcomers, and Conqueres in our time in our place.

We are being challenged with issues, both alike and different to what the Churches in Revelation are facing. But we have the same savior and the same spirit. And we have an angel(s) over our church. The overcomer messages are all designed to show us how Jesus will help us in our weakness. Provide for us what we need in our testing. It is important that that we listen carefully with the ears that we have. Let us not be deaf to his messages.

Summary: 7 Letters to 7 churches.

We are at the start of revelation inside the first vision described in Revelation. Jesus among the 7 lampstands (churches) dictating his letters to the 7 angles of the 7 churches, who bear their 7 lamps. The messages are both specific to the church, and general to all churches, just like the other letters to the churches in the New Testament.

Seven is for completeness of God’s work. On the seventh day he rested.

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

Summary: church in Pergamum Rev 2:12–17

City: Pergamum

Video Pergamum: Where Satan Dwells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ND_5JBnIw

Called “the most famous place of Asia” by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) (Pliny, Natural History, 5.126). Before the capital was moved to Ephesus.

The Temple of Athena was filled with Prostitution

The Temple of Zeus was constructed to look like a giant throne. And perhaps this was called Stan’s Throne? Hitler thought so and had it move to Berlin.

The Temple of Dionysius (DI-OH-NEES-IUS)- the god of Wine and festivity. and fertility and again sexual sin.

The Temple of Asclepius (ASS-KLEEP-IUS) - A god who heals with the use of snakes.

Plus Many more temples!

Christ’s Person: sharp two-edged sword. sharp two-edged sword. Penetrating sou & spirit. dicerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:12

Christ’s Commendation: They live where Satan's throne is at. But have not denied Jesus

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: They are falling into the trap of Balaam Num 22 - 24 allowing themselves to continue to be exposed to stumbling blocks of of sexual temptation and eating food sacrificed to idols, perhaps even getting some financial benefit to this compromise. This allows unsteady souls to be enticed into sin. (see 2 Peter 2:14–16)

Nicolaitans (skip) They are also holding to the teaching of Nicolaitans. We cover them in the letter to the Church Ephesus.will get to them soon And lean more about who they are.

Christ’s Consequence(Rev2:16): Therefore repent. If not, Jesus will come and the words of his mouth (the sharp double edged sword), will war against them.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: 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.’

Overcomers will receive some of the hidden manna - It will be Jesus, who is the hidden manna. As in the passover seder, The hidden matzah is the greater part. The promise of the future time with Jesus. Were he will be our Manna. He will be the WORD that is our sustenance, and our Life.

White Stone with a secret name.

Summary: church in Smyrna Rev 2:8–11

City: Smyrna

Video Smyrna | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlLRxFlnLo8

Famous beautiful pubic buildings on the hill, Population of 100K people!, Temple to emperors, Many guilds and membership required sacrificing to a pagan god

Christ’s Person Rev 2:8: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

Christ’s Commendation Rev 2:9-10: they are in Tribulation & Poor, but He calls them “rich”!

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. We do not like suffering! Jesus was willing to suffer out of love for us, because it accomplished a greater purpose. It was painful and heart wrenching not just for Him, but for His mother and all his followers.

The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. What is clear is that this life is not the important thing. The important thing is exiting this life as Overcommers! This message is repeated for us in James. James 1:12.

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Some of them may indeed die. But this message is preparing all of us for that day of the first death. For it is appointed once for man to die, and then the judgement. Heb 9:27.

No need to multiply crowns. simplest explanation is often best. I feel there is only 1 crown because we only have one head. The simplest explanation is that we will receive an imperishable crown of Life, Glory, and Righteousness indicating our Righteousness and Glory in Jesus our Messiah. It will be a crown that somehow connects to our works of love don in and for Jesus that resulted in the Salvation and Growth of others in God’s kingdom.

Jesus tell us that there are reward (fruit) in heaven. And we can loose them, when we have wrong motives. The hypocrites who act religious in order to be seen publicly; have their reward already, but the Father will reward those who act in secret, or are not looking for an earthy reward or advantage (Matt 6:1–18). They were disqualified for their reward and crown.

Christ’s Accusation: What there is no accusation. (like church in Philadelphia) This church is doing well, other than going through tribulation, poverty and slander.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: (Rev 2:11) Not be hurt by the second death. the one that happens at judgement (the lake of fire - glad we miss that one!) see Rev 20:14-15

Summary: church in Ephesus Rev 2:1–7

City of Ephesus - 250K people

video: Ephesus | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpJ-IWw5_Mc

Video: What would Ancient Ephesus have looked like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcemMtXm9Ns

The formre most city of the roman empire, major trade route thriving city. But its harbor was filling with silt. It’s days were numbered.

Christ’s Person: Walking among the lampstands (churches)

Christ’s Commendation: Working and not grown weary

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: This against You, you have Lost first love

This is a hazard of the last days: one of the signs of the last days. Matt 24:12, “the love of most will grow cold. BECAUSE of Lawlessness. It is happening Now to us. we must be willing to sacrifice to love others.

Christ’s Call to Repentance and Action: repent, and do the works you did at first. OR I will remove your lampstand from its place.

It the Church is loosing the culture war, (and it is in America) it is because we are No longer in love with Jesus.

TO be in love with Jesus like Jesus described, with all our heart, all our soul, and all our Mind can be best described by studying the Shema in … Deut 6:4-5

Every morning and night Israelites will say. “Hear O Israel, the LORD is our God, the Lord is one. and as for you, you shall LOVE the Lord your God, with all of your HEART “Lev”, with all of your SOUL “Nephesh”, and with all your STRENGTH “Me’od”.

The best thing God has to say is that they are HATING you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. AND THIS IS IMPORTANT. Nicolaitans promoted a class structure in the church. God hates this. It is OK to have love and respect for your apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and those that help you in the Lord. - But they are not your overlords, not closer to God.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers. Paradise of God & the Tree of Life! Those who overcome will get to gain the intent of the original garden state were we can eat of the tree of life. The future paradise is particularly important for Ephesus to know. This world, as amazing as Ephesus was as the center-point of much of the known world the pinnacle of civilization at that time, was passing away, and the real world is with God. will we also receive this same reward if we overcome? Yes we will.

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Summary: church in Thyatira

Read out loud Rev 2:18–29 The Message to Thyatira

Video Thyatira & Philadelphia | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUsm9dZPrcY

a smaller city, but longest message. Many Guilds required people to worship the patron greek& roman gods to be members often with sexually imoral acts. This left Christians either compromise their faith, on the outside of society and struggling to feed their families

The principal deities worshiped at Thyatira were Apollo and Artemis.

Christ’s Person: Rev 2:18: eyes like a flame of fire! Eyes are the lamp of the body: Luke 11:33–36. if your eyes are bad, your whole body is full of darkness. Jesus’ Eyes are flames of fire because there is no darkness in Him at all. He is altogether Holy. Feet like burnished bronze indicates extreme Holiness Clean, Pure, Refined, Valuable, Holy, without blemish. Both Daniel’s reaction to Jesus in Dan 10, and John’s reaction in Rev 1:17 when seeing God reviled with this description is to be “slain in the spirit” (fall at his feet as though dead) - and must be strengthened by God to get up and not fear. The Christians at Sardis are in dreadful danger and are being seduced into deadly sin. They need to sense the incredible holiness of God and repent.

Christ’s Commendation: Your love & faith & service are growing!

Christ’s Accusation: In contrast to Ephesus that has lost it’s first Love in Jesus, yet can still hate false teaching, in Thyatira they Love well, but are unable to take a strong stand against an evil woman who like Jezebel of 1 & 2 Kings is leading them into sexual sin and destruction. TOLERANCE is not a Virtue! Her deep sounding prophetic words are making people think it is ok to sin sexually.

READ 2 Peter!

God had given her time to repent, and time for the church to remove her out — if neither happen God will intervene and throw her and those who listen to her prophetic words (her children) her onto a “sickbed”. and “great tribulation” (“ (megas), ADJ., ADV. great; loud” “Affliction, distress, oppression) same as Rev 7:14, and Matt 24:21. Few times do we see God say He will strike someone dead. Rev 2:23 Yet it happens Acts 5:1 to her children as an example to the churches.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers: Give authority over nations. Like Jesus Psa 2:9 who will rule with a “rod of iron” Rev 12:5 so will the Christian overcomers most likely during the Millennial reign of Christ in Rev 19:15. How Ironic for woke leftist deep state Overlords that think they have all the power. Finally those who overcome will receive the Morning Star, (which I believe is a a reference to being with Jesus in His new kingdom)

Revelation 2:29 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

why is this phrase is moved to the end of the chapter after the overcomming/conquering.

To the angel of the church in Sardis

Read out loud Rev 3:1–6 The Message to Sardis

Revelation 3:1–6 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

City: Sardis

Note how fertile this area is.

Video: Sardis | The 7 Churches of Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffO5ipDSQvQ

Sardis was built on a mountain and had a virtually impregnable citadel on a spur of the mountain, it had twice been taken because of unvigilant guards.

Sardis was also the commercial center for guilds like woolens and was known for its dyeing works. The patron of Sardis was Cybele, an Asian mother-goddess who was said to have the power to restore life to the dead

A great temple to Artemis (lesser than Ephesus)

Much Roman emperor worship.

very poly-god . everyone getting along. Christian shop keepers with Jewish shop keepers side by side. this is different than we see were Christian message ig going forth… normally Christians are marginalized out of the culture — this may point to their compromise of the exclusive message of the Gospel.

Christ’s Person: Rev 3:1 Him who has the 7 spirits & 7 stars

Revelation 3:1a (ESV)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

7 Spirits = Holy Spirit

Remember in the bible, Seven is for completeness of God’s work. On the seventh day he rested.

The 7 stars are then seven angels of the 7 Churches. One belongs to this church. This letter is addressed to that Angel. The 7 spirits are before the throne of God. They appear to be 7 torches of fire before the throne. Rev 4:5. Then in Rev 5:6, as we see the Lamb that was slain before the throne, we are told that the 7 spirits are now seen as 7 horns and 7 eyes on the Lamb. And they are sent out into all the earth.

Horns are a symbol for Power nearly everywhere they are seen in the Bible. And especially true in apocalyptic books like Daniel and Revelation. The “horn” was a symbol of royal power, a few examples Luke 1:69, Ps. 132:17, Deut 33:17.

Eyes are for seeing. Jesus said if our eyes are healthy our entire body is full of light. Matt 6:22. And at the disciples lack of understanding and wisdom at his teaching and miracles, Jesus marvels that there eyes are not seeing, and hears are not hearing in Matt 8:18. This shows that our eyes are for understanding, and wisdom. 7 Eyes are for complete seeing, complete understanding and complete wisdom.

What does this sound like?

A complete 7-fold Spirit, that is both around the throne as torches of fire. yet going out into ALL the earth with complete power and complete understanding, and what appears to be omnipresence. The Holy Spirit.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Come, Let Us Adore Him! (Revelation 4–5)

The seven lamps connote completeness and symbolize the Holy Spirit of God (Rev. 1:4; note also Ezek. 1:13).

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Come, Let Us Adore Him! (Revelation 4–5)

Since seven is the number of perfection, we have here perfect power (seven horns), perfect wisdom (seven eyes), and perfect presence (seven Spirits in all the earth).

Christ’s Commendation: None.

none, we just jump right into the problem.

Christ’s Accusation & Approval: Dead, asleep

Accusation comes first.

Revelation 3:1b–3 (ESV)

“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

the reputation for being alive

the Devil’s marketing department is full of this stuff.

Beer commercials vs. reality

how can you tell a dead church?

we judge by external appearances God judges the heart.

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Big churches are “alive” but can easily be asleep.

Not all big churches are alive … it is easy to to fall asleep.

Not all small churches are alive … it is easy to to fall asleep.

Any church in any denomination can be dead/asleep.

To judge Jesus asked us to look at the fruit.

Matthew 12:33–37 ESV

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Is jesus judging by the fruit?

in that passage he is judging by the words they speak. the work they produce.

Jesus is judging this church by looking at it’s works.

wait, i thought we live by faith and not works.

This is the Protestant theology we get from Martin Luther. He was correcting a problem that the Catholic church had that they expected people to give them money to get saved. or to perform some “penance” to receive forgiveness. This is wrong. And he pointed out that it is by GODS GRACE through our FAITH in God that we are saved and we can never EARN it. but in the episle of James (jesus brother), we learn that FAITH produces WORKS.

Jesus has found this churches works incomplete. this means therei FAITH was not complete either. take a look

Proverbs 18:21 ESV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

James 2:17–26 ESV

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

is that fair?

Jesus is slow to make these judgement. Consider his parable. He give both time and blessing. But he expects us to be fruitful.

Luke 13:6–9 ESV

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

I believe some Christian denominations are dead.

But I am usually very careful to talk about them in a dead way…

finger-pointing is not helpful

make sure you check the log in our own eye first.

it is not right accuse others indirectly. go to them directly. first.

be careful as we can become arrogant and prideful

we may lack necessary standing to bring a Godly change.

we should fear to raise an accusation against the Lord’s anointed unless instructed by God to do so. (prophetic role)

Jesus is the head of the church, and may be able to address it better.

It is the Godly grief of the holy spirit that leads to repentance. We cannot produce that without God. 2 Cor 7:10, on our own the most we may do is produce worldly grief, or anger.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

I feel that instead it is much more powerful to come against wrong ideas. wrong thinking. and explain why it is wrong and get people to deal with that. - To rail against a label on a denomination does not teach.

example: I could rail against democrats. but it would do little good. but if instead I talk about the issues and explain them i will have tought somone and done a better job of convincing them. Why is abortion wrong? Why is big government doomed to collapse? Why do gun rights actually save lives? Why must a nation have boarder laws? these topics will teach. Less likely to alienate and more likely convince someone that they may need to rethink their position.

THere are problems probably with every Christian denomination on the planet, but some will have teaching that aligns more with the bible than others. Lets take these issues and teach and discuss them so that we may change hearts and minds.

We must be ever vigilant to be ALIVE in JESUS CHRIST.

Dead, dying, Asleep, incomplete, soiled

in the next verse there is a contrast with those who are worthy, and who are not dead. they have not soiled themselves.

did you notice the juxtaposition of dead and asleep?

Bible often uses asleep to mean dead.

Perhaps it was polite in that culture

Paul speaks of departed believers as having “fallen asleep in Christ”

1 Cor 15:6, 18

1 Corinthians 15:6 ESV

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:18 ESV

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

As proof of the soul’s immortality he terms the risen Christ “the first-fruits of them that are asleep.” Lazarus and Stephen, at death, are said to have “fallen asleep” (Jn 11:11; Acts 7:60); so of David and the ancient patriarchs (Acts 13:36; 2 Pet 3:4).

Come like a thief

When do theive normally rob a place?

it seams weird for jesus to compare himself in any way with a robber, for he does not rob. but his “comming” will be similar to a “theif”.

why?

this is how the coming of Jesus is conisitently portrayed.

1 Thessalonians 5:2–4 ESV

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

2 Peter 3:10 ESV

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

This language of a thief in the context of staying awake is specifically used by Jesus himself in Matt 24 — we studied this last month.

Matthew 24:42–44 ESV

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Jesus give us the answer here:

he is coming like a thief at an unknown how so that we will stay awake and ready.

Approval

Revelation 3:4 ESV

Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

We want to be the one that God says…

“well done good and faithful servant.

Christ’s Promise to overcomers:

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 ____need to do to overcome?

Revelation 3:5 ESV

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

white garments

What is the significance of the white clothes in rev 3:4–5 ? See rev 6:11; rev 7:9, 13

jesus white garments

Mark 9:2–4 ESV

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

this is a spiritual depiction apparently as Elijah and Moses were long “asleep”.

white garments in revelation

Revelation 4:4 ESV

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

Revelation 6:11 ESV

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation 7:9 ESV

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Revelation 7:13–14 ESV

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

overcomers that come out of the great tribulation. note that the last church was facing a great tribulation.

the book of life

NOT blot his name out of the book of life

Revelation 3:5 ESV

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

What is this book of life?

Psalm 69:25–28 ESV

May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom you have struck down, and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from you. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

Philippians 4:3 ESV

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Re 13:8

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.

Re 17:8

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.

Re 20:11–15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Re 21:27

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 3:6 ESV

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:

Again at the end. why?

Next week

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letter to Philadelphia - Dec 13

Chapter 3- Jesus’ letter to Laodicea - Dec 20

Chapter 4 - the Throne of God in Heaven - Dec 27? / Jan 3

Basic approaches in interpreting Revelation

Chapter 5 - The lamb and the scroll - Jan 10

Outline of revelation

Intro

5 LESSONS: Bible is one unified story, Keys to eschatology 1,2,3,4 Matt 24, Daniel 9, Matt 25.

ch1 The Introduction: The revelation of Christ’s Person, Authority, and Presence

1 LESSON: Its all about Jesus

ch2, 3 The Epistles to the Churches: The revelation of Christ’s Administrating of His Church

7 LESSONS: Each of these Letters from Jesus are important! Dont speed past these.

ch4, 5 The Throne of God in Heaven: The revelation of Christ’s Right and Claim to Earth (The Lamb receives title to this planet.)

3 LESSONS: Basic approaches to Rev, Throne in heaven, Lamb of God,

ch6 The Breaking Open of Seals 1-6: The revelation of Christ’s Ministry as Savior and Judge (Savior, “going forth”; Judge, “great wrath”)

ch7 The 144,000–The Redeemed Host: The revelation of Christ’s Own: Sealed and Delivered (Both are the Church; on earth/in heaven)

ch8, 9 The 7th Seal–the first 6 trumpets : The revelation of Christ’s People Precipitating release Through Prayer (Opening a mighty concept)

??? NOTE: The 7th Trumpet–The Last Trump 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess.4:16–appears as Revelation 11:15-19.

ch10 The Mighty Angel Announcing the End: The revelation of Christ as Consummator of History and as Commissioner of the End Times’ Message

ch 11, 13 Two Witnesses Christ’s, The Wonder Woman, The Beast: The revelation of Christ’s Church in Confrontation with Evil (In persecution, in spiritual warfare, and in conflict with the world-system)

ch 14 The 144,000 and Six Angelic Actions: Christ’s Own Redeemed in Triumph (Each angelic action indicating victory)

ch 15, 16 The 7 Vials of God’s Wrath: Christ’s Commission Unto Final Judgment (Set in an atmosphere of worship)

ch 17, 18 The Destruction of Babylon: Christ’s Sovereign Triumph Over Evil’s Spiritual and Economic Control of Mankind

ch 19, 20 The Two Last Battles: Christ’s Final Triumph Over and Banishment of All Evil (Pre- and post-millennial)

ch 21, 22 The New Heaven and New Earth: Christ’s Ultimate and Eternal Union With His Own Bride

Tribulation

Wrath

How long is the tribulation?

Is the Tribulation 7 yrs? or 3.5 years? or longer? Good teachers have decide there is a credible proposition that it could be much longer. (Jack Hayford). Jack thinks the tribulation started with Jesus leaving. In the World you have “tribulation” but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.

Come Quickly (for god it is quick)… and if you are upset about it that he has waited 2000 yr, it is not His fault. It is your fault for not recognizing that it could be up to him to decide what it means.

Rapture

Who will be taken when the Lord returns? Question Jack Hayford asked his mom as a young boy. His Mom came back with this after prayer. Those that are taken up with him now, will be taken up with him then.

Cessationism (distortion of scripture)

Often caused Christians to be filled with hate. Came up with the idea of Dispensation. Dispensationalism, is been given such a great spotlight, but not well defended by scripture. filmsy.???