The Seven Churches of Asia Revelation 2-3

Seven Churches of Asia Ephesus - Left Their First Love Smyrna - Poor-Rich Church Pergamos - Where Satan Dwells Thyatira - Compromising Church Sardis - Dead Church Philadelphia - An Open Door Laodicea - Self-Sufficient Church

A Common Pattern to the Seven Letters 1.Identification 2.Commendation 3.Complaint 4.Counsel 5.Promise

Common Statements 1.“To the angel of the church” 2.“I know your works” 3.“To him who overcomes” 4.“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

The Book of Revelation a book of signs and symbols - Rev. 1:1 a book of signs and symbols - Rev. 1:1 written in Apocalyptic style written in Apocalyptic style

Revelation 1:10-20 Christ Among the Lampstands

The Meaning of John’s Vision

seven golden lampstands seven golden lampstands one like the Son of Man one like the Son of Man garment down to the feet garment down to the feet girded with a gold band girded with a gold band head, hair white as wool, snow head, hair white as wool, snow eyes like a flame of fire eyes like a flame of fire

The Meaning of John’s Vision feet as fine brass, refined in furnace feet as fine brass, refined in furnace voice as sound of many waters voice as sound of many waters seven stars in His right hand seven stars in His right hand two-edged sword out of His mouth two-edged sword out of His mouth countenance like the sun countenance like the sun

The Meaning of John’s Vision  It is not important what we know what Jesus looks like.  It is important that we understand and respect His authority and power.  It is also important that we learn the lesson of John’s reaction (v. 17).

Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7

Ephesus Pop. 250,000 Asia Minor’s most important seaport Three trade routes converged “Supreme Metropolis of Asia” A free city

Ephesus - A Privileged Church Paul spent over three years in Ephesus From Ephesus, the gospel was spread throughout all Asia Minor Paul warned the Ephesian elders Timothy was left there John lived there

A Common Pattern to the Seven Letters 1.Identification 2.Commendation 3.Complaint 4.Counsel 5.Promise

Identification He who holds the seven stars in His right hand Who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands Stresses the Lord’s firsthand knowledge, awareness and concern for the church.

Commendation They Worked and Labored They Could Not Bear Evil Men They Hated the Deeds of the Nicolatians They Persevered in the Work and Had Not Grown Weary

Complaint “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

Counsel Remember Repent Do the First Works Warning “I will come quickly and remove your lampstand”

Promise To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God

Ephesus They were faithful - but lacking Their outward works were not complimented by an inward love for Christ It is good that a church is known for their faithfulness, but they also need to be known for their love Have I left my first love?