Revelation 1:9-2:7 (Week 1)

Intro

(Prov. 25:12)

Proverbs 25:12 NLT

12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

Series Intro

John

Who is he?

Where was he?

When was he?

Jesus

The central theme of Revelation (The unveiling of Jesus Christ)

Holding the pastors

In the midst of the church

Speaking to the Church (His Bride)

How we teach Revelation

Literal interpretation

Outline (v. 19)

Past / present/ future

Applicable in four ways

Literally - this was written to actual churches

Historically - it portrays 7 difference phases of the church age

Locally - applies to all churches at any given time

Individually - each believer can apply these letters to their lives

Ephesus - The Loveless Church

Commendation (2:1-3)

(v. 2) Labor: “Wearisome effort”

1 Cor 15:58 - Your labor is not in vain

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Gal 6:9 - Don’t stop working

Galatians 6:9 NKJV

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Sometimes when we get corrected, it’s nice to know that all our efforts in other areas have been seen.

(v. 2) Patience: “perseverance; remain under, bear up under, endurance in things or circumstances”

Is associated with hope and refers to the quality of Character which does not allow one to surrender circumstances or succumb under trial. (Heb. 10:36)

(v. 2) Remained pure (kept evil from among you)

(v. 2) Tested leaders: (To test or prove to be authentic, those who claim to be leaders)

(Matthew 7:15-20)

Matthew 7:15–20 NLT

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

(v. 3) Haven’t given up despite hardships

Correction (2:4)

Nevertheless!

Even with all these things, Jesus has some correction for them.

Against: “a motion meaning down from a higher to a lower place”

This is your downfall, you’ve chosen a lower place

Left your fist love: “To leave, desert, or quit; used in describing divorce”

Neglect - forgetting the habit, pattern or discipline

Abandon - no longer trying, it’s lost priority

Deserting - Stepping away because of no interest

Going thru the motions

Serving begrudgingly 

Not serving when there’s a need

Possible application: The rich young ruler

Counsel (2:5-7)

Remember

Repent

Re-do

The repeated mention of repentance at the end of the verse suggests re-doing specifies how repentance is demonstrated.

(2 Cor. 7:9, 11)

2 Corinthians 7:9 NLT

9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.

2 Corinthians 7:11 NLT

11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.