The Churches

Setting the Story Straight

No work of Biblical interpretation should begin without setting the stage and acknowledging the proper context.

This is why we talked at length, last week, about the purpose of end-times Bible study.

John starts by directly addressing the churches and “setting the stage”.

Revelation 1:4–8 CSB

4 John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

PURPOSE: Glorification of God

Statement… Alpha and Omega, beginning and end. Signifies reconciliation.

Important context --> VERY NEXT THING is an encounter with Christ!

Revelation 1:9–11 CSB

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the affliction, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Revelation 1:17–19 CSB

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.

Revelation --> Not just the ramblings of vision… an actual experience with Christ

Announced by a trumpet and shown in glory

Touches John

Acknowledges that he was dead… only divine being ever “dead” and then alive

This starts adding to the weight of what we read in Revelation. Instead of lessons taught in a letter or even visions which may or may not have full meaning to the prophet repeating them, this is God directly communing with John

Where else do we see God communing with man?

God and Abraham --> Arrival of God’s Covenant.

God and Moses --> Arrival of God’s Word.

Christ --> Arrival of God’s Redemption.

Now John --> Arrival of God’s Promise of Re-Genesis.

This should make us immediately pay attention because God is now communicating in parables and allegory the same way he did to contemporaries 2,000 years ago; except this time he’s talking directly to you.

Read Revelation 1:9-11;17-19 and spend a moment thinking about the profoundness of God sharing a parable directly with you (vs some random observers 2,000 years ago). 1) Many people think of the Words of Christ being entirely contained in the 4 Gospels, but they appear elsewhere in the New Testament. Where? 2) How does Revelation opening with Christ speaking to us directly help reinforce that the focus isn’t about anti-Christs, judgments, or world events… but Christ? 3) How can this help us, as Christians, shift our perspective today?

I’m Talking to You!

Paul Washer was a youth pastor in the 2000s speaking at a youth conference and he said, “What you need to know is that salvation is by faith, and faith alone, in Jesus Christ. And faith alone in Jesus Christ is proceeded and followed by repentance. A turning away from sin; a hatred for the things that God hates and a love for the things which God loves. Growing is a hope and desire, not to be like Britney Spears and not to be like the world, not to be like the great majority of Christians, but to be like Jesus Christ.”

There was a applause and shows of “Amen” along with some cheering. Paul Washer then paused and said, “I don’t know why you’re clapping; I’m talking about you. I didn’t come here to get “Amens”. I didn’t come here to be applauded; I’m talking about you.”

THIS is what so many “fans”, who study Revelation like it’s Christian fan-fiction, miss… Christ didn’t need Christian jeers and applause as ‘the world getting what’s coming for it’; he was talking about YOU. This is the importance of studying his messages to the churches because they are us.

1. Letter to Ephesus

They believe and pursue hardships.

Christ applauds their faithfulness to the truth… but...

Revelation 2:4–5 CSB

4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Like so many today, especially well-established churches, they have done many great things and seen many high-points in their past, but they have lost their zeal for Christ.

Still yet, they may regain their zeal.

2. Letter to Smyrna

Have suffered and faced worldly difficulty (poverty)

Christ urges them to be strong and not waiver in the face of despair

Revelation 2:10 CSB

10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Life won’t be a picnic; strive to change your perspective to one that looks to heaven for reward.

3. Letter to Pergamum

Faced great persecution

BUT… compromised in the face of persecution

Revelation 2:14 CSB

14 But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

The endured the persecution, but then they compromised the truth by trying to blend-in with the pagans a bit more.

Describes those who may feel they are “mostly Christian” but find convenient compromises.

Christ words this as strongly as to say he would “fight against them with the sword of my mouth”... not great!

4. Letter to Thyatira

They are very “Christ like”… doing all the love and compassion stuff

BUT… they are falling to the same ills as the church in Pergamum

Revelation 2:19–20 CSB

19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

We can’t “good work” and “love and compassion” our way to salvation. Salvation is through truth and truth is dictated by Christ… no society or false teachers.

5. Letter to Sardis

Reputation for being “alive” (we could say “active”), but their works are half-measures.

Revelation 3:1–2 CSB

1 “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before my God.

There are many churches which may appear active and “on fire”, but looks can be deceiving.

We must not only appear truth-driven, but actually BE truth-driven.

6. Letter to Philadelphia

NOT THE SUPER BOWL ONE… they NEED Jesus

They are zealous… but they are weak.

Christ promises comfort for the weak.

Revelation 3:8 CSB

8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Appears to be those who have been persecuted by “the establishment”; for the Jews, those Messianics who are chastised by those who don’t follow Jesus.

Note that the call is to endure… not fight, for victory and strength are God’s.

7. Letter to Laodicea

Lukewarm church!

Revelation 3:15–16 CSB

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

Living as a ‘bored Christian’ isn’t neutral… it’s counter to the design of God.

God’s love was not regular. God’s sacrifice wasn’t meek. God’s compassion wasn’t half-hearted. SO WHY ARE WE?!?!

Consider each of the sever churches and identify traits you see in churches and Christians today which seem to match. Which do you feel most apply to (or convict) you? 1) Church of Ephesus - Revelation 3:4-5. 2) Church of Smyrna Revelation 2:10. 3) Church of Pergamum - Revelation 2:14. 4) Church of Thyatira - Revelation 2:19-20. 5) Church of Sardis - Revelation 3:1-2. 6) Church of Philadelphia - Revelation 3:8. 7) Church of Laodicea - Revelation 3:15-16.

Thoughts on the Seven Churches

Interpretation is the nature of prophecy

Could be topical to the churches back then that Christ used to exhibit common behaviors

Some think it relates to different “major churches” over last 2000 years

One of my theories: could be different ‘generations’ of the church… but that’s just a theory

Any interpretation: There are behaviors we must seal ourselves from and conditions we must prepare for.

Key to each church is listening. (2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22) --> “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

We must be listening and eager to receive the truth so that we can hear Christ’s truth… and by that receive Christ’s promise of victory.