1. The Church Age - things that are City (church addressed by city name) Christ (Who is speaking - attribute from ch 1) Complement (what they do well) Criticism (why they are failing) Correction (how to respond) Consequence (if correction is ignored) Commitment to overcomers (from ch 20-22)

2. THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION, Chapters 2 & 3 – (THE THINGS THAT ARE) CityChrist ComplementCriticism CorrectionConsequencePromise Church History Ephesus (2:1-7) Holds the seven stars … walks in the midst of (1:20). Works, labor, patience, cannot bear evil or false apostles, hate Nicolaitans. Left their first love. Remember, repent, repeat 1st works Will remove the candlestick (1:20) Will eat of the Tree of Life. Apostolic Church 1st century. Smyrna (2:8-11) First and the Last, Who was dead and is alive. Works, tribulation, poverty. — Fear not, be faithful unto death. — Will receive the Crown of Life, Not hurt by second death. Persecuted church 2 nd, 3 rd cent. Pergamos (2:12-17) sharp sword with two edges Works, Hold fast Jesus’ name, not denied the faith. Hold the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Repent Will fight against with the sword of my mouth. Eat of hidden manna, get white stone with new name Church from 312 A D. (Constantine) to 500 A.D. Thyratira (2:18-29) Eyes like flame of fire, feet like fine brass. Works, charity, service, faith, growth in works. Tolerated false prophet, Jezebel, to teach immorality and idolatry. Repent, hold fast until I come. Great tribulation, children will be killed. Will give power over nations, will receive the Morning Star. Church of the Dark Ages till the 16 th cent. Sardis (3:1-6) Has seven spirits and seven stars. Works, a name (reputation) of being alive… …but are dead. Strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die., hold fast, repent. I will come on you as a thief. Clothed in white raiment. Name not blotted out of Book of Life. Protestant Church of Reformation. Philadelphia (3:7-13) True has the key of David. Works, kept Jesus’ word, not denied His Name. — Hold fast that which you have… …That no man take thy crown. Kept from hour of temptation. Be made a pillar in New Jerusalem. Missionary Church of 19 th cent revival. Laodicea (3:14-22 The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God — Lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. Wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked. Buy from Jesus refined gold and eye salve. Repent. I will spue you out of my mouth. I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me. The end- times lukewarm church.

3. ChurchHeart AttitudeResults in History Ephesus (2:1-7) Cold HeartApostolic fervor fading Smyrna (2:8-11) Consecrated HeartPersecuted by the world Pergamos (2:12-17) Compromised HeartMarried to the world Thyratira (2:18-29) Corrupted HeartMedieval pagan politics Sardis (3:1-6) Ceremonial HeartDead orthodoxy Philadelphia (3:7-13) Committed Heart Missions focused - reaching the world Laodicea (3:14-22) Carnal HeartLoving the world