12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

I.

The Seven Churches A. The seven letters of Revelation highlight the characteristics of the seven distinct types of believers/churches that Jesus says are important for His Bride to understand in order to be ready for what lies before them in the coming tribulation. The composite picture the letters to the seven churches paints is JESUS’ DEFINITION OF BEING READY for the end-time tribulation. B. For the Bride to be legally united as “one” to God’s family, we need to go from being divided and lacking much of the glory of Jesus, to united and walking in a measure of glory that reflects Jesus’ glory, the light of His presence, to the world. Revelation is describing HOW this will happen. C. This is called the end time shaking or sifting:

1 Isaiah 13:10-13 The heavens will be black above them; the stars will give no light. The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will provide no light. 11 "I, the LORD, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty. 12 I will make people scarcer than gold—more rare than the fine gold of Ophir. 13 For I will shake the heavens. The earth will move from its place when the LORD of Heaven's Armies displays His wrath in the day of His fierce anger." D. This sifting is an INTENSE process. If you don’t care about the wedding, or you aren’t ready to get married, you AREN’T GETTING MARRIED: 2 Matthew 22:2-14 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." E. Wedding garments are bought with holiness gained through tribulation: 3 Revelation 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 1|Page

12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

F. Jesus looked forward to our day, and then picked out 7 churches in John’s day that reflected the important characteristics of the churches in our day. Then He gave them a “physical” to see if they were ready to ENDURE the tribulation. He promised them great rewards if they would get ready to overcome the tribulation. G. Jesus addresses each church with a “four-part Physical”: i. He address each Church as the “standard” of what He is admonishing them to do to get ready. ii. Jesus encourages the Church in what they are doing well iii. Jesus tells the Church what they lack to help them overcome. Pride denies the truth or explains it away, humility embraces the truth and changes. iv. Jesus promises a reward to repentance that will overcome II.

Ephesus – The Loveless Church

4 Revelation 2:1-7 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' A. Jesus comes to them as one who “holds them” (one of the seven stars) in love. B. Jesus commends their work, their patience, their discernment. C. Jesus warns them to go back to their “first love.” 5 Acts 19:11-20 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. 13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. 17 The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18 Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19 A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20 So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

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12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

D. They are “going through the motions of service” without a vibrant lovesick zeal for Jesus. Jesus doesn’t want “full compliance.” Full compliance is good, but it is less than what He desires. Relying on our love for Jesus is not enough to sustain us, we need to rely on experiencing His love for us. If we love Him, we will obey Him. If we obey Him, we do not necessarily have a deep experience of His love. Only one will work: 6 John 14:15-16 "If you love Me, obey My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. E. Having their lamp stand removed would be tragic. It means they would fall away in the time of tribulation. Anything less than wholehearted zealous love will not endure through the Great Tribulation (the last 3.5 years before Jesus’ return). F. Jesus refers to his hatred of the “Deeds of the Nicolaitans” to the Church at Ephesus, i. The early Church deacon Nicolas led a group into doctrines of false grace. Early Church historians, including Hippolytus of Rome and Irenaeus wrote that Nicolas distorted the message of grace to lead his followers into “unrestrained indulgence” (Irenaeus) and polygamy. ii. Many in the Church today falsely use the message of grace to try to escape Jesus’ leadership, rather than using grace to remain under Jesus’ leadership. This is what Paul called taking the grace of God in vain. (2 Corinthians 6:1) iii. Reward for overcoming: eating from the tree of life in midst of the Paradise of God. Jesus IS the tree of life. The reward for love IS life: 7 John 15:1-7 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 John 6:50-51 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." III.

Smyrna – The Persecuted Church A. Smyrna is the oldest of the seven Churches. This represents the oldest church in our time.

9 Revelation 2:8-11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful 3|Page

12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." ' B. Jesus comes to them as the one who overcame death (martyrdom). C. Jesus commends their work, their patience, and their wealth (even though in the natural they are poor). D. He knows how they have to endure blasphemy (calling good evil) by those who claim to know God, although they do not. This is the ultimate insult to someone enduring tribulation for name of the very one taken casually by others claiming to serve Him. Jesus endured this during His public ministry. E. Jesus exhorts them to not fear their prolonged tribulation (10 days as opposed to the 7 days the rest of the Bride will endure). This refers to the 70th week of Daniel. The 7 years of tribulation, 7 days = 7 years, are the 70th week of Daniel. The first 69 weeks of Daniel ended with the crucifixion of Jesus. (Daniel 9:24) F. Jesus does not correct Smyrna. They are ready because of their location. They are ready to endure tribulation because they are born INTO tribulation. They are a warning to the rest of the churches. The whole earth is Israel-centric….middle-centric. What begins in Jerusalem always travels out from the center. G. Those who are faithful are promised the “crown of life” (special authority, honor, and glory in eternity) Not every Christian will get a crown! 10 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 11 James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 12 2 Timothy 4:5-8 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 13 Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. H. “He who has an ear” means it is not readily apparent the depth of meaning of these words. Ask the Spirit to give insight! I. Reward for overcoming: not being “hurt” by the second death. Ungodly persecutors of the Church will be hurt at the second death, when they are thrown in the lake of fire. Those faithful to the Lord through tribulation will not be hurt at the second death.

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12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

I.

Pergamos – The Compromising Church

14 Revelation 2:12-17 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." ' A. Jesus comes to them with the sharp sword of the Word…the truth 15 Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; B. Jesus IS the word. To go into the tribulation with the Spirit but not GAZE on the word is to go with power, but in the wrong direction. Everyone goes where they are looking. C. John Wimber famously made this statement: a. Spirit without the Word = BLOW UP b. Word without the Spirit = DRY UP c. Word + Spirit = GROW UP D. Because of the power of God resting on them, this Church is not afraid of a spiritual battle. They are flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit. BUT, they are missing the truth of the word. They are blowing up, but because everyone is fired up, they don’t know it. E. They are flowing in the Spirit, but looking at the WORLD. This is a deadly combination, and very common in our day. This actually HELPS the antichrist…the man of lawlessness: 16 Matthew 7:21-27 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

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12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

F. Jesus commends them for their works, especially in light of where they live. G. They have held strong in the initial pangs of tribulation because they are flowing in the spirit. H. But they have given in to false doctrine. They are listening to dreams and feelings rather than the truth of the word: 17 Jeremiah 23:20-29 The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. 21 "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings. 23 "Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD. 25 "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' 26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, 27 who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. 28 "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD. 29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? I. J.

Balaam taught King Balak to lead Israel into sexual sin (numbers 25). Jesus equates this to the false grace message that the Nicolaitans embrace. Baalam did this by NOT listening to the word of the Lord and “steeling” His heart to obey it…instead, he let men convince him that maybe he didn’t hear God. Baalam kept the “options open”

18 Numbers 22:10-20 So Balaam said to God, "Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 'Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.' " 12 And God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you." 14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, "Balaam refuses to come with us." 15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, "Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: 'Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.' " 18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me." 20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do." 19 Numbers 22:21-22 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 6|Page

12 Week Revelation Intensive Week 5– The Seven Churches (Part 1)

K. Pergamos rationalizes sin…and God has let her. Because he doesn’t withdraw His Spirit, she thinks He is ok with her misusing the anointing. He’s not. L. They are commanded to repent or Jesus will “fight against them” revealing the falsehood of their doctrine. Jesus never loses a fight. M. Her error is in: a. false grace b. Fear of man rather than fear of God N. The reward for overcoming the false grace message is hidden manna (supernatural insight into His Word). The reward for overcoming fear of (worship of what man can give) is a white stone (read bright shining trophy) with her real name on it. (divine insight into how God sees them. A closer relationship with Jesus that impacts their identity forever).

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