1. Chapter 2: Letters to the Churches (Part I)
Revelation
Chapter 2: Letters to the Churches (Part I) :

2. From Last Time… John Greets the Reader John reminds us of Jesus
Revelation of Jesus Christ
Introduces the book (signify, time is near)
John reminds us of Jesus
Honor, power, authority
Faithful, suffered for us
Is coming in judgment
The vision begins
Seven lampstands (churches) and seven stars (angels)

3. Chapter 2 Overview Letter to Ephesus (2:1-2:7)
Testing and enduring…
But had abandoned their first love
Letter to Smyrna (2:8-2:11)
Tribulation, poverty, will suffer
Letter to Pergamum (2:12-2:17)
Faithful and steadfast
Tolerated idols and false teaching
Letter to Thyatira (2: 18-2:29)
Increasing in good works, but tolerated Jezebel

4. The Seven Churches of Asia

5. Common Theme for the Letters
Commendation
Jesus commends them for their faithfulness
Good works are mentioned
Condemnation
Jesus brings up His complaints with them
Exhortation
Jesus admonishes them to repent
Jesus encourages them to endure
Consolation
Jesus reminds them of their blessings in Christ

6. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-2:7)
Context
Built on a natural harbor (major trade routes)
Wealthy, influential, diverse
Temple to Artemis (Greek god of fertility)
Paul encountered much opposition (Acts 19)
Church influenced by Paul, Aquila, & Priscilla (Acts 18:19-26)
Commendation (2:1-3, 6)
Labor—good works and tiring work!
Patient endurance/enduring patiently
Refuted false teachers and apostles

7. The Letter to Ephesus (2:1-2:7)
Condemnation (2:4-5)
“Left your first love”-- What could this refer to?
Remember, repent, and do the first works
Exhortation (2:5)
Similar to messages of minor prophets
Consolation (2:7)
Learn from this example!
Blessings to those who conquer
Eat of the tree of life  eternal life
Paradise of God  Heaven
What can we learn from the Ephesians?

8. The Letter to Smyrna (2:8-2:11)
Context
Center of emperor worship for several years
Shrine to Tiberius
Ground zero of the persecution of Domitian
Large population of (hostile) Jews
Commendation (2:9)
Richness in poverty—how?
Slandered by the local Jews
Consolation (2:10-11)
Upcoming tribulation/persecution

9. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-2:17)
Context
Location of a large library rivaling Alexandria
Temple to Zeus
Temple to Asklepius (healing, snake symbol)
Surpassed Smyrna for emperor worship
Temple to Augustus
References to OT “villains” (Balaam, Jezebel)
Commendation (2:13)
Faithfulness in the face of martyrdom
Endurance in spite of their location

10. The Letter to Pergamum (2:12-2:17)
Condemnation (2:14-15)
Some held teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans
Idolatry, sexual immorality
Implied—the church probably tolerated it, or at least hadn’t acted
Exhortation (2:16)
“I will come”  judgment
Consolation (2:17)
White = purity
New name = new status, new relationship

11. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-2:29)
Context
Garrison town—military presence
Full of trade guilds (textiles, dye) (Lydia, Acts 16)
Smallest of the cities
Commendation (2:19, 24)
Well-rounded in faith
Latter works exceeding first—growing in works
Condemnation (2:20-23)
Tolerating Jezebel, a false prophetess
Sexual immorality, food sacrificed to idols

12. The Letter to Thyatira (2:18-2:29)
Exhoration (2:24-25)
No other commands for those who did not tolerate Jezebel
Hold fast—continue to endure and continue to progress
Consolation (2:26-29)
Rod of iron = staff of shepherd?
Morning star = Jesus (Rev. 22:16)
How can we apply the lessons learned from Thyatira?

13. Summary Ephesus—the Lost Love Smyrna—the Suffering Church
Don’t forget where you came from!
Smyrna—the Suffering Church
Endure persecution to the end
Pergamum—the Compromising Church
Don’t compromise the teachings of Christ for anyone!
Thyatira—the Tolerant Church
Beware what you allow into the church, and deal with false teachings when they arise