Seven Churches of Revelation

SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION
SERMONS SERIES
BARIMAH KOFI ASARE KYEI-BAFFOUR
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INTRODUCTION TO THE
BOOK OF REVELATION
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

Jesus before leaving His disciples promised them of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, this was
fulfilled and Spirit of God came to dwell I us not just among us. God placed His Spirit within us to give
us supernatural knowledge of things to come:
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come. John 16:13
REVELATION, A PROPHETIC BOOK

When we hear the word apocalypse, we think of horrible disasters associated with the end of the
world. But in Greek, the word simply means “an uncovering; an unveiling; a manifestation of.”
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall be hereafter… Revelation 1:19
These three divisions provide important spiritual keys to unlocking the meaning of the Book of
Revelation.
1.The things which were: The things John saw—all that was revealed to him through the
different visions.
2.The things which are: The condition of the churches in Asia Minor at the time.
3.The things which were to come: The events which would happen in the future as God fulfilled
His end-time plan.
A PERSONAL BOOK
The book of Revelation is cosmic and far reaching in its scope, yet it is also very personal.
John . . . bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things
that he saw. Revelation 1: 1 – 2
A PICTORIAL & SYMBOLIC BOOK

On thirty- nine occasions, John indicated that he was recording things he saw. His words paint vivid
pictures to reveal the future through memorable symbols and images.
He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God,
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Revelation 1: 1 – 2
Why is there so much symbolism in the book of Revelation?

First of all, symbolism is not weakened by time. Well-chosen symbols span the centuries and
allow us to apply them not only to ancient or future times but also to our own. They create a
compelling drama that encourages persecuted and suffering saints throughout the ages.
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Second, symbols impart values and arouse emotions. To call a tyrant a beast evokes a primal
fear that the word dictator misses.
Last but not least, these symbols functioned as a kind of spiritual code that was generally
understood by believers but not by outsiders. John’s book was circulated to the churches during
the reign of Domitian (AD 81–96). If it had been written in more direct, prosaic language and
happened to fall into Roman hands, those associated with the book would have been executed.
A NUMERIC BOOK
The Apostle John employed numbers on several occasions. Some were direct and others were coded.
For instance, the identity of the Anti-Christ was revealed in a numeric code.
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or
the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number
of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Revelation 13:17-18
A PROFITABLE BOOK
Revelation is the only book in the Bible that motivates its readers by promising a blessing for those
who will read and obey it. The promise is made at the beginning and the end:
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:7
- Profitable for personal application

- Profitable for public assembly
- Profitable for prophetic anticipation
A PRACTICAL BOOK:
- studying prophecy motivates us to live productive lives
- studying prophecy motivates us to live positive lives
- studying prophecy motivates us to live pure lives
THE BEATITUDES OF REVELATION

1. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those
things which are written in it.” Revelation 1:3
2. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Revelation 14:13
3. “Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his
shame.” Rev 16:15
4. “Blessed are those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Revelation 19:9
5. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death
has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a
thousand years.” Revelation 20:6
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6. “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7
7. “Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of
life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14
A PURPOSEFUL BOOK:
Revelation 1:7-8 reveals the 2-fold purpose of the entire book:
1. Affirm Christ's return:
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. And all the tribes of the earth
will mourn because of Him.” Revelation 1:7
2. Affirm His ultimate reign over the earth:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who
was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

As we begin our study on the seven churches of Asia in Revelation chapters 2-3, it is important to
realize that there is a four-fold application to this message:
1.The message applies to the seven churches to which it was originally addressed. These churches
actually existed in Asia at the time of this revelation. There were other churches in Asia at the time,
but those selected are representative of the spiritual conditions existing at the time.
2.The message can be applied historically. History reveals that the church has passed through eras
similar to those described in each of these seven churches. Historians recognize the following stages:
Churches Represent... Dates

Ephesus: The apostolic church, 30-100 a.d.
Smyrna: The persecuted church, 100-313 a.d.
Pergamos: The state church, 313-590 a.d.
Thyatira: The papal church, 590-1517 a.d.
Sardis: The reformed church, 1517-1790 a.d.
Philadelphia: The missionary church, 1790-1900 a.d.
Laodicea: The apostate church, 1900-? a.d.
3.The message can be applied corporately to the modem Church. Although these special messages
were written to specific churches in Asia, the same strengths and weaknesses can also be found within
the Body of Christ today.
4.The message can be applied individually. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your own heart for evidence
of the dangers addressed in these messages. How do you measure up individually?
In this study, we will focus our attention upon corporate and individual application of the messages to
these churches. Each one of these churches represents a danger that we must avoid corporately and
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individually in these end times. In our study, we will provide practical strategies for avoiding these
dangers:
The church at Ephesus: The danger of diminishing love.
The church at Smyrna: The danger of fearing suffering.
The church at Pergamos: The danger of doctrinal compromise.
The church at Thyatira: The danger of moral compromise.

The church at Sardis: The danger of spiritual death.
The church at Philadelphia: The danger of failing to advance.
The church at Laodicea: The danger of lukewarmness.
CONCLUSION
1.As we begin our study, I want you to fix these truths deep in your spirit ... Hear the call of the Spirit
warning you against these seven dangers.
2. Endeavor to read through the Book of revelation and come up with questions for discussions.
3. I want to encourage further home study appointments for me to throw deeper light unto the
lessons.
4. Pray for strength and revelation insight for your Pastor.
Remain blessed.
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EPHESUS
THE DANGER OF DIMINISHING LOVE
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven
stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil:
and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not
fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else
I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:1-7
MEANING OF NAME:
Ephesus means ʻdesirableʼ.
ANCIENT CITY OF EPHESUS

Ephesus was the chief city of the region of Lydia in the Roman province of Asia and during the time of
Caesar Augustus it bore the title “the first and greatest metropolis of Asia”. It was called “the light of
Asia” and “the market of Asia.” It was here that the Roman proconsul or governor lived.
It had a magnificent theater that could seat 24,000, and a large portion of it is still visible today in the
excavated area of the city. It is in this theater that the event described in Acts 19:23-41 took place,
when the people were stirred up against the apostle Paul by the idol-maker Demetrius. The theater
was adorned with numerous pagan statues such as Cupid and Nike (also called Victory).
Ephesus was dedicated to the worship of Diana (Acts 19:24-28). (The Greeks called her Artemis, while
the Romans called her Diana.) There was a magnificent temple of Diana at the head of the city’s
harbor. The temple, which took 220 years to build with funds provided from cities throughout Asia
Minor, was listed among the “seven wonders of the ancient world.” The temple of Diana burned in
262 A.D. for the fifth time and was never rebuilt. Some of its marble was used to build the Church of
St. Sophia in Constantinople and the Basilica of St. John in Ephesus.
Ephesus was also famous for its magic arts. The “Ephesian letters,” containing magic formulas written
on paper or parchment, were much sought after for use as amulets to ward off evil spirits and to bring
good luck. Through Paul’s preaching and the conversion of many people at Ephesus a bonfire was
made of magic books at the time of the founding of the church there (Acts 19:17-19). Present day
Ephesus is located in Turkey and is called Selcuk, with a population of 10,000.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

This church had a glorious history. Paul visited Ephesus briefly on his first missionary journey (Acts
18:19-21), but the church was established on his third journey when he spent two years there
preaching the Word of God (Acts 19:8-10).
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Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus (written from Rome during his first imprisonment) is one of
great spiritual depth. It is obvious that this church was mature and could receive the deeper things of
Christ.
Timothy labored in Ephesus and was there when that he received Paul’s first epistle (1 Tim. 1:3). Thus,
the very powerful and practical instruction from the first epistle to Timothy was doubtless delivered
directly to the church at Ephesus by Timothy. The theme of this epistle is how to conduct ourselves in
the church (1 Tim. 3:15), and it deals with such things as prayer (1 Tim. 2:1-8), the woman’s ministry
(1 Tim. 2:9-15), qualifications for pastors and deacons (1 Tim. 3), and how to deal with false teachers
(1 Tim. 4).
According to early and well-documented tradition, the apostle John ministered at Ephesus in his old
age.
CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

Christ reveals Himself to each of the churches in a particular way that relates to their condition.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven
stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Revelation
2:1
1. We are reminded that Christ protects and leads the churches, holding the seven stars in his right
hand.
2. He is also actively involved with the churches, walking in their midst, watching over them,
observing everything they do, intimately involved with every aspect of the church’s life.
THE COMMENDATION OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

He begins by encouraging them about what they are doing right. Though He does not ignore their
error, He also does not ignore their good works. This is so because out of His mouth went out a double-
edged sword.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword:
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Revelation 1:16
1. It was an evangelistic church. It is important for the child of God to know that we are saved by
grace but we are saved to serve. Note that they labored for Christ’s sake.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not
of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
2. It was a patient church: Patience is necessary because of the trials of the Christian life and the
many spiritual enemies we face. The Christian life is a marathon rather than a sprint. It is a long-
distance race that must be “run with patience” hour by hour, day by day.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
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3. It was a separated Church: This refers to the discipline of sin in the church. The Ephesus church
could not stand evil. As a church we must lovingly but strictly deal with sin and any appearance of sin
in our midst. The decline of church discipline is perhaps the most visible failure of the contemporary
church. No longer concerned with maintaining purity of confession or lifestyle, the contemporary
church sees itself as a voluntary association of autonomous members, with minimal moral
accountability to God, must less to each other.
4. It was an orthodox church: The church at Ephesus did not tolerate error. Imposters of Apostles
were not tolerated. The church of Ephesus tried false teachers. We see by the fact that Christ
commended them for that that He is pleased when churches test all things by God’s Word. The
Bereans are called “noble” because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were
so.”
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11
These false apostles existed in the first century and multiplied in the next two centuries. They not only
taught false doctrine but they also wrote false gospels and epistles. There was the Gospel of
Nicodemus, with its mythical history of Mary’s early years; and the Shepherd of Hermas, with its
fanciful visions of a female angel; and the Gospel of Peter, which denied that the man Jesus was the
Christ; and the Gospel of Thomas, with its mythical record of miracles wrought by Jesus when he was
a child; and the Gospel of Judas, which depicted Judas as the only apostle who truly understood Jesus
and who betrayed his master only because Jesus asked him to do so.
5. It was a democratic Church: Views were tolerated, interrogated and dealt with decisively. From its
name, Nicolaitanism appears to be a misuse of pastoral authority and the unscriptural exaltation of
men over the churches. The term Nicolaitan means “to conquer or rule the people” (from nikao, to
conquer; and laos, people). It describes the philosophy of prelacy that arose during the days of the
apostles and spread quickly in the following centuries and that eventually produced the papacy. It
describes the exercise of unscriptural authority by church leaders. Nicolaitanism begins small and
increases with time.
Nicolaitanism produced the territorial bishop (as opposed to the biblical bishop, which is the same
humble office in the assembly as the elder and pastor), the archbishop, the metropolitan, the cardinal,
and the pope. This false doctrine was carried over to some extent into the Protestant denominations
(Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist).
The most important lesson from Christ’s mention of Nicolaitans is that every doctrine and practice
that is contrary to the New Testament is to be exposed and rejected by the churches. Note that the
church at Ephesus hated the deeds of these false teachers, and Christ commends them for it. It is not
enough to love the truth; we must hate that which is contrary to the truth. This is the spirit of Jesus
Christ, who “loved righteousness, and hated iniquity” (Heb. 1:9). This is the spirit of the godly Psalmist:
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psa.
119:128).
Note that the church did not hate the Nicolaitans themselves; it hated their deeds. It has been said
that the believer should hate the sin and love the sinner, and this is the teaching of Scripture. Likewise,
Christ did not hate the Nicolaitans; He hated their doctrine (Rev. 2:15)
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THE CONDEMNATION: THEY LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE
The church at Ephesus was over forty years old when Christ directed John to write this message to
them. A new generation of believers had arisen who did not have the same fervency of love and
devotion as those who first received the Gospel when the Church was established.
Believers in this Church performed many good works, persevered patiently, endured hardship, and
exhibited discernment in identifying false teachers (Revelation 2:2). But Jesus—the One with eyes as
a flame of fire—sees beyond the outward appearance to discern the true condition of this church.
Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows the spiritual climate of every church and each individual within
that church.
Within the Church today, we see the outward appearance of a strong, healthy, productive Body—
large congregations of professing believers, great cathedrals, organizations, and denominations
raising up. But our Lord is looking beyond these things, revealing our true condition: many of us have
left our first love. We have replaced our love for God with our work for God.
Jesus did not say they had "forgotten" their first love or that they had "lost" it, but that they had "left"
it. It is tragically possible to be so busy working for Christ that one neglects Christ. God did not create
Adam to evangelize the world or to build the largest Sunday school in Eden (as important as these may
be), but to fellowship with his creator.
The Greek word used for "left" is aphiemi, which means "to let go" or "to forsake." This church still
loved the Lord, but had lost the fervency and intensity of their love. They continued doing good works,
but their works were no longer motivated and fueled by their love for Christ. They were caught up in
a routine of doing things—"dead works."
The believer’s first love is his warm devotion to Christ, his continual thankfulness toward God in Christ,
his zeal not only to serve Christ wholeheartedly but also to fellowship closely and sweetly and
continually with Him.
“Consider newly-married people. Their life is one continuous story of affection--delight in one
another. Service is not service, but gladness, for such a bride. Two girls worked in a textile
factory. Mary went away on a visit of several months. Returning, and meeting her friend on the
street, she asked her, ‘Maggie, are you working at the same old factory?’ ‘I’m not working at
all,’ burst out Maggie: ‘I’m married!’ Doubtless such a one was busier with her housework than
ever she had been at the factory! But she toiled unconscious of the work as such, because it
was for him. She parted from him with an embrace as he went to work in the morning, and she
prepared the evening meal ever looking out at door or window for his coming. As he neared
home, she went to meet him. All her labor was a mere circumstance, swallowed up in her
devotion to her husband. But days, weeks, months pass, and she becomes occupied with the
details of her housekeeping, of her own life. She prepares just as good meals, keeps the house
in as good, perhaps even better, order; but she has gradually changed her habit of watching for
her husband at night, or going eagerly to meet him. She calls, ‘Goodbye’ from somewhere
upstairs in the morning, instead of holding him fast every moment she can. Now this was
Ephesus; and this was the departure from First love: while Christ, the Bridegroom, has love in
all its freshness, and will evermore have, for the Church. It was Ephesus, leaving that devoted
pouring out of response to His love that grieved His very heart!” (Newell).
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We see that a church can be doctrinally sound and very zealous SEVEN SIGNS OF FIRST LOVE LEFT
in many ways and still not be pleasing to the Lord. This is one
of the most serious spiritual problems in our church today. 1.Christ is no longer the central focus
Without a passionate love for Christ, our works are worthless. of your life.
There is no substitute for undivided, fervent, undying love for
2.You neglect your relationship with
Jesus Christ.
the Lord and spend less time in
prayer, worship, and the Word.
To leave one’s first love is a heart matter and is therefore
something that only Jesus can see. If we could have observed 3.You allow—family, friends, job and
the church at Ephesus we would doubtless have been your own desires—to come between
impressed. you and your relationship with God.
4.There is a loss of intimacy in your

To leave one’s first love for Christ is a serious matter. Jesus
relationship with God.
described it as “thou art fallen” (Rev. 2:5). Fallen! Backslidden!
Not because they committed some gross sin or were lazy in the 5.You are caught in a cycle of dead
service of Christ, but because they had left their first love for works. Your work for God becomes a
Him. drudgery or business-like.
Notice that they didn’t lose their first love; they left it. It is a 6.You are more tolerant of sin.
willful thing. Instead of retaining their focus on Christ, they 7.You will no longer have a burning
allowed themselves to become sidetracked and allowed their passion for the lost.
spiritual fervor for the Saviour to cool down.
Leaving one’s first love is the result of the love of other things entering in. A wife loses her first love
when she begins to focus her attention on things other than her husband, whether it be her children
or her work or her friends or her hobbies or even another man. The believer must be very careful not
to allow the love of other things, even good things, to quench his love for Christ.
Thus, to leave one’s first love is to break the first commandment (“Thou shalt have no other gods
before me,” Ex. 20:3). The first and great commandment, Jesus said, is to “love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). Thus,
anything that is first in one’s heart before God is an idol.
THE COUNSEL
Christ recommend three things to the church in Ephesus.
REMEMBER: Their heads were to be given over to Christ. This is always the first step in getting right
with God. When I have sinned, I must acknowledge my sin. I must stop making excuses for it and
blaming other things or other people. I must agree with God that it is a sin.
REPENT: Their hearts were to be given over to Christ. Repentance means to turn around and go the
other way. It is a change of mind that results in a change of life.
REPEAT: Their hands must be given over to Christ. Their repentance would be evident by a change in
action. Christ is exhorting them to return to the first love that they had for Him. They were doing many
works, but they were not doing the works from a heart of first love for Christ.
THE CHURCH MUST KNOW
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There is absolutely no eternal security for any local church presented in the Bible. A believer can never
fall from grace but his church can. History reveals that Christ did indeed later removed the lampstand
of the Church in Ephesus. It’s been gone for centuries smothered by the Muslims.
THE CHALLENGE
Christ Challenge to the church in Ephesus is simple HEAR and OVERCOME!
Each individual believer is responsible to hear what the Spirit says, and this does not mean merely to
listen to the Word of God but also to heed it. Nothing is more crucial in life than properly hearing what
the Spirit of God says. It is the way of salvation, sanctification, joy, victory, fruit, and reward.
Let our hearts be opened to the voice of the spirit and strive to overcome the enticements of the
world. Ephesus was a busy city. It had all the economic and social entrapments of our time. It is easy
to be distracted by the vices of what is going on around us. This will lead us to jump into ministry and
forget our fellowship with Christ.
CONCLUSION
1. Our work for God must be borne out of our love for Christ.
2. We should not substitute ministry for fellowship.
3. We should build our relationship with Christ regardless of what the system is turning to.
4. We should be aware always that Christ knows our works.
5. Overcomers will be rewarded with the tree of life.
SMYRNA
THE DANGER OF FEARING SUFFERING
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And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last,
which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art
rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the
synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be
thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second
death. Revelation 2:8-11
THE MEANING OF THE NAME

The name Smyrna means myrrh. Myrrh is one of the ingredients used in embalming the dead. No
wonder the church of this city was persecuted unto death.
THE CITY
Located about thirty-five miles north of Ephesus, Smyrna was a rich and beautiful commercial city in
Asia Minor and was recognized by Rome as its loyal ally and a center of emperor worship.
It was a place of great commerce, science, and medicine, and was also famous for its rhetoric and
philosophy. It had many pagan temples dedicated to gods and goddesses, including Zeus, Dionysius,
and a goddess called the Mother of the Gods. From the time of Tiberius there was a temple in Smyrna
dedicated to Roman emperor worship.
Olympic games dedicated to Zeus were held here and a magnificent 20,000-seat stadium was built for
this purpose. It was in this stadium that the Christian preacher Polycarp was martyred in 155 A.D.
The city was famous for its wine and drunkenness. It was devoted to the worship of Bacchus, the god
of wine and moral debauchery. A statue “representing an old woman intoxicated illustrates the
prevalent habits of the population.” Today the city is called Izmir and it is located in Turkey. The
population is two million. The modern city is built over the ancient one.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

It is probable that it was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey when he spent two years in
nearby Ephesus and “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10).
CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA

He is the first and the last. This identifies Jesus as the Almighty. Christ is not the first in the sense that
He was the first created being. He is the first, rather, in the sense that He is before all things. Compare
Colossians 1:16-17. Christ is the eternal self-existent one and thus ever lives to intercede for and care
for His people. This is an important revelation in light of the persecution this church was enduring.
He was dead and is alive. This is the gospel of our salvation. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Christ died for
our sins according to the Scripture, and rose again the third day according to the Scripture. This is the
object and power of our faith. Because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, the believer
can take heart in any trial.
COMMENDATION
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1. They had suffered poverty for Christ: They lost their homes and their jobs yet the LORD saw them
as rich. It is for children of God to know that our riches are not material and visible possessions.
Our riches are far beyond human comprehension and they are worth dying for.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8
2. They had suffered persecution for Christ: The word "tribulation" used here paints a picture of a
huge rock crushing whatever lies beneath it. The word conveys intense and constant pressure. Can
you identify with that? Many of you are experiencing "intense and constant pressure." You aren't
forgotten! Jesus sees and knows.
I am certain the church in Smyrna withstood their trials because they understood what Jesus said
concerning trials and tribulations.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
There are many in the Church today who are facing intense persecution and even death for the sake
of Jesus Christ. Here are just a few examples:
• Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered by the militant Islamic group Boko Haram.
• Some few days ago a Church in Burkina Faso was raided by Muslim extremists who killed a
dozen of their members.
• Coptic Christians in Egypt are being slaughtered.
• In China, believers in underground churches are being beaten, fined, sentenced to prison and
even death because of their commitment to Christ and the preaching of the Gospel.
In todays world, to be a Christian is to be an object of mockery and hatred. The Word of God is clear,
"... All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus also said, "...
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they
have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20).
Jesus warned them, "The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may he tried" (Revelation
2:10). The meaning of Christ's words to this church, that they would have tribulation for "ten days,"
may refer to the fact that the Early Church suffered ten major persecutions under Nero, Domitian,
Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Severus, Maximum, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian, and Diocletian. There were
also some notable persecutions in the local Smyrna Church which lasted "ten days".
THE CHALLENGE
1.Identify the real enemy: Don't blame God for your difficulties. Revelation 2:10 reveals the real
source of persecution and suffering is Satan.
2.Do not fear: Jesus told believers at Smyrna, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer"
(Revelation 2:10). Fear paralyzes. It torments and binds. It renders you ineffective for God. But how
could they not fear in the face of such tribulation?
How can you not fear the things you are facing?
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Because the Conqueror of death, hell, and the grave was standing in the midst of the church with
power to sustain and give them victory! "The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, which was dead,
and is alive" promised them, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life"
(Revelation 2:10).
Beloved, Christ's message to you today—in the midst of your pain, suffering, persecution, and
testing—is "FEAR NOT!" No matter what you are facing—sickness, disease, family problems, or even
the possibility of death—do not fear because "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
3.Remain faithful in difficult times: God told believers at Smyrna to remain faithful. If you remain
faithful—even unto death—you will receive a crown of life and live forever.
CONCLUSION
1. Suffering is part of our journey to Heaven. Anticipate and when in it endure to the end.
2. Be fearless in your pursuit of divine significance.
3. Steadfastly remain faithful in your afflictions knowing that you are in a great company of many
who have gone ahead of you.
4. Be aware always that the enemy of your soul never rest.
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PERGAMOS
THE DANGER OF DOCTRINAL COMPROMISE
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp
sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat
is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein
Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have
a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam,
who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed
unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight
against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and
will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it. Revelation 2:12-17
MEANING
Citadel
THE ANCIENT CITY OF PERGAMOS

Pergamos is located about 90 miles north of Smyrna, and though it was some 15 miles from the sea,
the nearby river Caicus was navigable by small craft. It was the political of Asia.
Its library, consisting of 200,000 volumes, was exceeded in magnificence only by that of Alexandria,
Egypt, and eventually the emperor Mark Anthony gave it to the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. The making
of books on parchment (prepared animal’s skins) was invented here, the word “parchment” being
derived from the name of the city.
Pergamos was addicted to idolatry and its attending sensuality. There were three temples in Pergamos
dedicated to Roman emperors. There was also a statue of Augustus in the Athena temple. The temple
of Trajan has been partially restored.
Probably the most celebrated temple was dedicated to Asklepios (Asclepios or Aesculapius), a god
worshipped in the form of a serpent. Asklepios Soter means “Asklepios the Savior,” and this idol was
called “the god of Pergamos.” The city’s coins depicted a rod encircled by a serpent. This symbol was
adopted by the medical school that was associated with the temple, and it remains the symbol of
medical practice today. The sick flocked to this temple seeking a cure, believing that while they slept
in the court of the temple the serpent god would reveal the remedy either to themselves or to the
physician-priests by means of dreams. If they were touched by any of the snakes that were kept in the
temple, they felt that they had been touched by a god. Asklepios was depicted as a bearded man
holding a serpent-entwined staff.
Jesus spoke of Pergamos as the seat of Satan, and some think He was referring particularly to the
temple of Zeus or to the emperor worship, but it is impossible to say if this is true. It might be that He
was referring to Pergamos’ function as a center for idolatry in general.
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THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS
It was probably founded on Paul’s third missionary journey when he spent two years in nearby
Ephesus and “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10).
CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS

He reveals Himself as “he which hath the sharp sword with two edges,” which speaks of the truth and
power of God’s Word. To remind them of this would both encourage them and warn them.
COMMENDATION
They had kept the faith, even though living in the very city Satan had chosen as his temporary
headquarters: Pergamos was possibly called Satan’s seat because it was a place of persecution and
for the sake of the worship of the serpent. It was here that Antipas, whose name appears only here in
the entire Bible was killed. This must inspire the believer to know that in the sight of God, no little
human being is insignificant. His name never appeared in any other historical record, but God knew
all about this little-known humble believer who lived and died for Christ some twenty centuries ago.
They were not forgotten. Jesus recognized their faithfulness despite the satanic environment in which
they lived. In the original Greek, the words, "holdest fast" means "to hold onto desperately with all of
one's power." These Christians were holding onto their faith with everything they had and Jesus
commended them for their faithfulness.
CONDEMNATION
1. Some adhered to the doctrine of Balaam: Take a few minutes to read Numbers 22-24 in your Bible.
Balaam was a prophet who compromised God's Word. Balak, king of the Moabites, wanted Balaam to
go with him to pronounce a curse upon the Israelites. God clearly told Balaam, "Thou shall not go with
them" (Numbers 22:12), but he stubbornly insisted until God allowed him to go (Numbers 22:15-20).
God was angry with Balaam because of his willingness to compromise and make an alliance with
Israel's enemies, so He sent an angel to let Balaam know that what he was doing was wrong (Numbers
22:32). Balaam refused to accept the warning and continued on his way. Although he did not curse
the Israelites, Balaam was responsible for deceiving Israel into compromising with the Moabites by
committing fornication with their women and worshiping their god, Baalpeor (Numbers 25:3; 31:16).
1. The way of Balaam was covetousness, he could easily be bought.
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son
of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 2 Peter 2:15
2. His error was supposing a Holy God would be forced to curse sinful Israel.
3. His doctrine was rightly concluding that if you can’t curse them. Corrupt them through immorality
and idolatry.
Although the majority of the church at Pergamos were not deceived and were not following the
doctrine of the Balaamites and the Nicolaitans, they were guilty of indifference toward the sin within
their church. Although they were victorious in keeping their faith during persecution, they opened the
door to spiritual destruction when they compromised with the world.
Compromise is blending two ideas together. The dictionary says it is "to lay open to danger." In spiritual
matters, any position of compromise opens you up to danger and corruption. Compromise is rampant
throughout the Body of Christ and the Spirit of God is calling us to allow the "sword of the Spirit"—
16
the Word of God—to expose and remove compromise THE COMPROMISING PERIOD AD 314-
just as a surgeon removes a cancerous growth. God 590
cannot tolerate compromise! He hates it (Revelation Constantine: He was made emperor in
2:15). 306 by his dying father and the Roman
Even the smallest compromise opens the doors to troops. Upon coming to power in the
additional compromise, which leads to even greater East, he was immediately faced with
compromise and eventually, spiritual death. Doctrine destruction by the Western emperor,
and practice are always closely associated. It is not just Maxentius.
one or the other that the Lord is concerned about; it is Constantine’s troops arrived at the battle
both. Those who exalt Christian living above doctrine bearing an unfamiliar mark on their
or doctrine above Christian living are not wise. shields. Something like an X. He claimed
to have seen in a dream the image of the
In today’s world, the church is no more conversant cross and to have a voice saying, “By this
with Biblical doctrines. The craze for miracles and sign, conquer!” Indeed, he led his army to
quick fix messages is dominating Christendom. We are victory at the famous battle of Milvian
in a great danger of eroding all that is sacred. We are Bridge, just outside Rome.
in a danger of raising an ignorant generation and we In 313 he signed the Edict of Milan, which
must repent. granted freedom to Christians. It then
became fashionable to join the Church.
THE CHALLENGE
1. Repent. Repent of your sin of doctrinal He promised gold pieces and white robes
compromise. When you truly repent, God promises... to all converts. Soon pagans had joined
the church by the thousands, taking with
They also that erred in spirit shall come to them their heathen practices. The church
understanding, and they that murmured shall then became so worldly and the world so
learn doctrine Isaiah 29:24. churchy that no difference could be seen.
Loraine Boettner lists the following
2. Listen to what God is saying. The believers at
unscriptural doctrines that were
Pergamos were admonished to hear what the Spirit
introduced during this general time
was saying to them. You, too, must reject false
period (Roman Cathlicism, sect. 1, chap.
prophets and teachers and listen only to the Spirit
1, pt. 3)
judge. Every doctrine must be based on God's Word:
prayers for the dead (AD300)
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach making the sign of the cross (300)
any other gospel unto you than that which we veneration of dead saints and angels
have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (375)
Galatians 1:8 institution of mass (394)
exaltation of Mary (431)
3. Immerse yourself in God's Word. You must
extreme unction (526)
become spiritually mature and move from the "milk"
doctrine of purgatory (593)
to the "meat" of the Word so you will be able to
recognize doctrinal compromise:
Some champions during this time would
Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom include:
shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that John Chrysostom, the greatest preacher
are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the of his time (347-407)
breasts. Isaiah 28:9 Jerome, the scholar who translated the
Bible into Latin (340-420)
4. Walk in obedience to the Word. Jesus said, Augustine (354-430), one of the greatest
theologians of all time.
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If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself. John 7:17
CONCLUSION
1. Don’t let satanic philosophies and realities steal your affection for the LORD.
2. There is and will always be divine commendation for all your sacrifices.
3. Be mindful of both doctrines and deeds. Don’t compromise on any.
4. The way of Christ is perfect, not the interpretation of man.
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THYATIRA
THE DANGER OF MORAL COMPROMISE
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who
hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and
charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than
the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that
woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to
commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of
her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her
children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins
and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known
the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye
have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the
end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as
the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I
will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches. Revelation 2:18-29
MEANING: Continual Sacrifice.
THE ANCIENT CITY OF THYATIRA

Thyatira, located about 100 miles southeast of Pergamos, was a wealthy town in the region of Lydia
in the Roman province of Asia. It was situated in a valley near the river Lycus. The city was famous for
its dying processes. The dye was made of the madder-root, the color of which is now called Turkish
Red.
The city’s trade guilds were very advanced. There was a separate guild for each trade and each artisan
belonged to his particular guild. Through their unity they wielded great influence. “These guilds were
a source of great problems for the Christians. There were guilds for the workers in the various trades
like leather, wool and linen, metal, pottery, dyeing, dressmaking, baking, etc. At their various meetings
they would have a meal and oftentimes the meat served had been offered to an idol or they met in
an idol temple and Christians could not engage in these practices. ... To refuse to belong to a guild in
that day and age would be like a carpenter, a plumber or a coal miner refusing to belong to his union
today. Commercial existence was dependent upon one’s belonging to a guild”.
The principal deity of Thyatira was Tyrimnos, who was worshipped as the sun-god. There were also
cults dedicated to the worship of Artemis (Diana), Hercules, Bacchus, and Athena, among others. The
temple of Sambethe featured a prophetess who acted as an oracle of the god. Ancient Thyatira is
located in modern-day Turkey and is called Akhisar, with a population of 96,000.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA

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Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Europe was a native of this city. (Acts 16:14). She was occupied with selling
the purple dye that the city was famous for.
CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA

Christ reveals Himself to this church particularly by those things pertaining to authority and judgment.
He is the Son of God, referring to His great power and authority. He mentions that His eyes [are] like a
flame of fire and his feet like fine brass, referring to His omniscience and judgment.
Christ is not only the believer’s Saviour; He is the believer’s judge and will not overlook sin and error.
Christ is a loving and compassionate friend of sinners, but Christ is also “holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26). This aspect of Christ is commonly ignored or denied in modernistic
churches and even in contemporary evangelical ones.
There is little or no plain preaching on such things as judgment of sin in this life, hell, church discipline,
the judgment seat of Christ, dying unto self, the sin unto death, and nominal Christianity.
COMMENDATION
He commends their good works: In the messages to each of the churches so far, we see that works
are very important to the Lord. He will never commend the believer who is spiritually slothful and who
refuses to work for Him and who puts his own will and pleasure and business above that of the Lord.
He commends their charity (love): It is impossible to please the Lord without charity.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand
all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Peter teaches us that charity is the end of a process of spiritual growth
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to
knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-7
He commends their service. Works is what we do and service is the spirit and objective in which we
do it. One can do the works of the Lord without being submitted to the service of the Lord. For
example, a believer can be a good employee, which is what Christ requires, but he can do it for motives
other than purely to serve the Lord.
Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from
the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:6-7
Paul says the believer’s reasonable service is to present himself as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1).
From that reasonable service of surrender and dedication flows all of the works that please the Lord.
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For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is
abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. 2 Corinthians 9:12
Service is also used in the New Testament to describe giving. Giving is an important part of the
Christian life. It is one way that we honor and praise the Lord.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
He commends their faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. When we exercise faith in the
midst of the trials of the Christian life and we believe God’s promises rather than doubting and
complaining, we greatly please the Lord.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
He commends their patience. This is necessary because of life’s trials and sufferings, and because God
answers prayer and fulfills His promises according to His divine schedule and not by our frail human
one.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth
he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:24-25
He commends their works again with the words, “and the last to be more than the first.” This phrase
could mean a couple of things.
• It could mean that their last works were better than the first works.
• Since the first works are directly associated with charity and the last works are associated with
patience, this could also mean that their patience was greater than their love.
THE CONDEMNATION
Though this was a zealous, busy church, with many commendable things, Christ did not hesitate to
warn them about error in their midst.
Tolerance of error: It is the attitude of tolerance of error that is rebuked (“because thou sufferest that
woman Jezebel,” Revelation 2:20). Churches cannot stop false teachers from teaching, but they can
stop them from teaching in their midst. They can stop their mouths by sound teaching (Titus 1:9-11)
and by dismissing them from the church and refusing to listen to them (Titus 3:8-11). The church at
Thyatira was putting up with error rather than dealing plainly and strictly with it.
Tolerance of error is one of the hallmarks of the ecumenical movement. The cry of “unity in diversity”
refers to tolerating doctrine and practice that I do not personally agree with for the sake of a broader
unity. This philosophy is refuted by Christ’s message to the church at Thyatira as well as by Paul’s
epistle to Corinth.
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The false prophetess, Jezebel: This was a real woman but the name Jezebel is probably the
designation that Christ gave her. It is likely that He is naming her according to her character and
influence, thus likening her to the wicked Jezebel of old.
Old Jezebel Profile

• She stirred up her husband Ahab and others to do evil (1 Ki. 21:25).
• She stirred Ahab up to idolatry (1 Ki. 16:31)
• She stirred up the men of Jezreel to commit murder (1 Ki. 21:1-15).
Her Sin in the church

• She was leading people astray.
• She was teaching immorality and idolatry: Convincing Christians to be part and partakers of the
then guilds and luring young women to use what they have to get what they want.
• She was totally unrepentant.
Her Punishment
• Her followers will go through the great tribulation and become the false churches in Revelation
17. Any Christian regardless of your works that is given in to the doctrine of Jezebel will miss the
rapture.
• Her children will suffer the second death at the Great White Throne Judgement. (Revelation 20:11-
15)
• She will serve as an example to other churches concerning the wrath of God. (Acts5:11-13)
The church of Thyatira was allowing a woman who called herself a prophetess to teach others that it
was all right to mix pagan religions with Christianity. She was teaching and seducing people to commit
fornication and compromise morally. Throughout the Old Testament, this union of that which is holy
with that which is impure is considered by God as spiritual adultery. It was an abomination in His sight!
In the Church today most believers are not tempted to worship pagan idols of wood or stone, but they
worship other idols...
…The idols of material possessions.
…The idols of recreation and entertainment.
…The idols of career and selfish ambition.
…Ministers of the Gospel have even become idols. Their stickers and pictures are being worshiped.
…Idolatrous ‘spiritual directions’ and sales of special oils and creams.
Many Christians are not aware that they are worshiping idols. Some are so full of pride and self-
deception that their spiritual eyes are blinded from seeing the areas of their lives where they have
refused to let Jesus reign as Lord.
Many believers today have made moral compromises. They no longer hold high standards of integrity.
If you are guilty of moral compromise—spiritual adultery—then you must do what Jesus told these
believers to do: Repent and then hold fast!
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THE CHALLENGE
IDOLATRY IN THE CHURCH Hold Fast: They were to hold fast to the works, charity,
Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod, was service, faith, and patience mentioned earlier (Rev. 2:19).
the primary goddess of the Holding fast is necessary because there are many spiritual
Babylonian system that was enemies and great pressure is brought to bear against the
exported from Babylon, to Pergamos faithful believer. They were to hold fast until Christ comes
– and now we find this same woman (Rev. 2:25).
here in Thyatira, and in the Church of
Middle Ages. Semiramis is described Stay away from the depth of Satan: The doctrine of
as “the Queen of Heaven”, and the Jezebel is described as “the depths of Satan” (Rev. 2:24).
most typical representation we find Jezebel was enticing professing believers to commit
in the ancient world is that of fornication and involve themselves in idolatry and thus
Semiramis as the Madonna, with a renounce and disobey God’s Word. She was enticing by
child in her arms. means of the three-fold attraction of the world: the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1
This Babylonian idolatry found a new John 2:15-16).
home in the Medieval Church. It was
here, for the first time, that Mary, Satan loves to make things complicated and mysterious. In
the mother of Jesus Christ, began to contrast, the things of Christ are of a simple nature. Paul
be venerated as the “Queen of warned the church at Corinth that the devil would corrupt
Heaven”. – and with the rise of the “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
‘Cult of the Virgin’, churches begin to
proliferate the image of Mary as the The “depths of Satan” might also refer to the Gnosticism
Madonna with child. What was even that was prevalent in that day and that was plaguing the
worse was that the Medieval Church churches then and continues to do so today. The Gnostics
came to view Mary as redeemer, claimed to have hidden and deeper knowledge than that of
exalting her to a status that had the Lord’s apostles. Compare Colossians 2:3-8. Today’s
previously been reserved for the King Gnostics are the practitioners of Christian Science,
of Kings Himself: Jesus Christ. Theosophy, Unity, New Age, Spiritualism, theological
Modernism and any other sect that claims a deep special
knowledge and an elite following and that rejects the
apostolic faith. “The Gnostic philosophers claimed that they had a new knowledge, later and better
than any revelation, as if to say: ‘You know what Paul says, and you know what John said, but we have
the depths of a later and better knowledge.’ Our Lord admits the depths, but declares them ‘the
depths of Satan’” (B.H. Carroll).
Overcome: The overcomer is described (Rev. 2:26). He keepeth Christ’s works unto the end. This is a
description of a true regenerate Christian. He does not believe for a few days only. He is fully convinced
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and trusts Him exclusively and confidently. When others turn away,
the true believer shows his character by keeping his faith (John 6:66-69). The just are those that live
by faith and do not draw back unto perdition (Heb. 10:38-39). Those that turn back are those that do
not have true saving faith and never did have.
The overcomer is promised two things (Rev. 2:26-28): He is promised power over the nations, to rule
them with a rod of iron (Rev. 2:26-27). This will be fulfilled in Christ’s kingdom when He returns in
glory. The saints will rule and judge in the kingdom (Psa. 149:5-9; Dan. 7:22, 27; Mat. 19:28; Rev.
19:15). Christ will judge all nations at His return (Mat. 25:31-32). In that day the Word of the Lord will
be the law of the entire earth (Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2), and it will be enforced with a rod of iron. Justice and
23
righteousness will reign because injustice and unrighteousness will be punished and punished quickly.
Saints rather than sinners will sit on the throne of judgment. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The overcomer is also promised the morning star (Rev. 2:28). The morning star is Christ Himself (Rev.
22:16; 2 Pet. 1:19). Like a star that shines brightly in its reflected glory, the believer will reflect the
very glory of Christ in the resurrection.
CONCLUSION
1. You can be full of good works and still miss your direction.
2. Moral compromise should not be tolerated.
3. Idolatry creeping into the believer’s life is like erosion, silent, subtle but effective.
4. Hold on to your integrity. Guard your Godly standards. Don't fall prey to moral compromise.
24
SARDIS
THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL DEATH
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven
Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest,
and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for
I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received
and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as
a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names
even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white:
for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
THE ANCIENT CITY OF SARDIS

Sardis was located about 50 miles south and slightly east of Thyatira, and was situated on the northern
slope of Mt. Tmolus. The river Pactolus #owed by the base of the mountain, and the surrounding area
is a well-watered plain. The soil is rich and the climate moderate.
The historian Pliny said the art of dying wool was invented here. There were vast flocks of sheep in
the surrounding region and the wool was sent to Sardis for processing. Its carpets were so famous that
they were used by the king of Persia.
The sands of its rivers produced much gold, and gold and silver coins were first minted in Sardis.
The city featured magnificent pagan temples, such as the temple of Zeus (Jupiter, Jove), that was built
by Alexander the Great, and the temple of the goddess Artemis. Portions of the 78 great pillars that
adorned the latter temple remain today; they were 58 feet high.
The city was also infamous for its immoral habits. The city was populated by many Jews. An excavation
in 1962 uncovered the largest synagogue ever discovered.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

He reveals Himself as He that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. This describes His
omniscience and power as well as His intimate involvement with and control of the churches. He is
not far off. He holds the messengers of the churches in His hand, both to own them and to control
them. He and He alone is the head and judge of the church.
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2
In the eyes of man this church had a name that it lived, but this judgment would not stand. Only the
judgment of Christ matters, and in the eyes of Christ the church was dead.
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THE CONDEMNATION
There is no word of commendation to this church. The same is true for the church at Laodicea. What
a frightful thing it is for a church to become so disobedient that Christ has nothing good to say about
it!
“There is a marked change in our Lord’s method of address to the church at Sardis. Hitherto He has
commenced with words of commendation. Here, He commenced with words of condemnation. In the
other churches, evil had not been the habit, but rather the exception, and therefore it was possible
first to commend. Here the case is reversed, and no word of commendation is addressed to the church
as a church” (G. Campbell Morgan).
The church at Sardis had "a name," a good reputation, and it appeared to be alive. But in reality, there
was nothing but inward deadness. Their deadness was at least partially due to some type of defilement
because the Word says there were only "a few" which had not been defiled (Revelation 3:4).
This church was not suffering. It was not poor nor was it persecuted. Prosperity and peace have proven
throughout history to be one of the church’s worst
enemies. The church had a name that it lived but it was
If you are spiritually dead, you need
dead. In man’s eyes this was a good church, but before
these ministries also:
God it was dead. Compare Matthew 23:27-28. Men are
concerned about what man thinks and how man judges; •The Spirit of wisdom: A lifeless
but ultimately, God’s judgment is the only thing that dying church or individual needs to
matters. seek the wisdom of God.
•The Spirit of understanding: A
This describes unregeneracy. Many members of this lifeless dying church or individual
church were still dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). needs a true understanding of their
This happens when a church is not careful about preaching condition so they can correct it.
the gospel properly and examining the testimony of those
who are brought into the membership. In contrast, the •The Spirit of counsel: A lifeless
dying church or individual needs to
first church at Jerusalem received those who had repented
heed the counsel of God.
and had gladly received the gospel and showed clear
evidence of salvation in that they “continued steadfastly in •The Spirit of might: A lifeless dying
the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of church or individual needs new
bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:38-42). strength to enter into its lifeless body
•The Spirit of knowledge: A lifeless
Nominal Christianity results when a church does not take dying church or individual needs to
salvation seriously. Nominal Christians can do many things flow in renewed revelation
that appear right. They can have “a form of godliness” (2 knowledge.
Tim. 3:5). They can learn how to talk like a Christian and be
faithful to the services and even read the Bible and pray; •The Spirit of fear of the Lord: A
lifeless dying church or individual
they might even reject idolatry and replace it with the
needs to have their fear of the Lord
“Christian religion.” thus they can have a name that they
rekindled.
live even though they are dead.
This also refers to the general spiritual health of the church. It was dead in the sense that it was not
doing God’s will. Its works were not according to the apostolic pattern. So many things in the church
were not scriptural that it was said to be dead. It was dead in regard to communion with Christ and
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godliness in leadership and spirituality in Christian living and zealous evangelism and fervent
discipleship and discipline of sin and separation from error.
The modern church is vibrant. Our congregations are stylish. Our cathedrals are enticing yet our hearts
are far from God. We’ve become seekers of God’s hand to the neglect of His heart.
These people desperately needed the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The mention of the "seven Spirits of
God" is a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Spirit found in Isaiah 11:2:"And the spirit of the
LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the
spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
THE CHALLENGE
They were exhorted to be watchful and to strengthen the things which remained… If you feel
spiritually dead or your church is dying corporately, then you must follow the five-fold plan that the
Spirit gave to the church at Sardis in Revelation 3:3:
1.Be watchful:
The Amplified Bible says to "Rouse yourself and keep awake." It is time for us to wake up, become
alert to the signs of the time, and be active for God as never before.
2.Strengthen:
Take hold of the things that remain and are ready to die in your life and strengthen them through
prayer and the Word.
3.Remember:
Reflect on the promises of God—what you have received and heard in times past.
4.Hold Fast:
Hold fast to your faith and God's Word.
5.Repent:
Repent—so you will be ready for the return of Christ and not caught unaware.
CONCLUSION
1. Don’t play to the gallery with your faith. You may not be to heaven what you portray to the world.
2. Hypocrisy is deadly and all hypocrites will be in the lake of fire (Matthew 23:27)
3. Pray Psalm 51.
4. The overcomer will have his name retained in the book of life.
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PHILADELPHIA
THE DANGER OF FAILING TO ADVANCE
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that
is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth,
and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied
my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and
are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to
know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy
crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no
more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God,
which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write
upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
THE ANCIENT CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

The city was located about 40 miles southeast of Sardis and about 150 miles due east of Ephesus and
was built on several hills “extremely regular in figure and having the appearance of truncated
pyramids.” It was about 650 feet in altitude and had a pleasant and healthy climate. The land nearby
was exceedingly fertile.
The city got its name from Attalus Philadelphus, one of its kings, or was named after him by his brother
Eumenes in the 2nd century. It was famous for its wine (which was celebrated by the Roman poet
Virgil), and the city’s coins featured an image of Bacchus (or a female Bacchant), the god of revelry
and debauchery. Dionysus was also worshipped in Philadelphia.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

Christ reveals Himself as “he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth,
and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.”
This was the fullest revelation of Christ that was given to any of the churches, and it was given to the
church that was most faithful to Him. This revelation was given to encourage a weak, despised church
that was keeping God’s Word in the midst of a wealthy, proud, and sensual society.
What is the key of David?

A key denotes authority, control, access, ownership; and the key of David is the throne that God
promised to king David (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16; Psalm 89:3-4, 19-29, 34-37).
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COMMENDATION
Philadelphia was a model church. Together with Smyrna, it is the only church that has no warning
about sin and error and no call to repentance. Christ knows their works and condition (Rev. 3:8). He
knows them intimately.
He knows that they had a little strength.

This means they had only a little strength. This was a weak, insignificant church, possibly small in
numbers and certainly in resources, poor in worldly goods and of small account in the eyes of man. It
was not wealthy and impressive. It was not comprised of those who were mighty in this world. Its
leaders did not have impressive credentials.
When we are weak then are we strong, meaning that when we are conscious of our complete inability
of serving Christ in our own strength, then we cast ourselves upon God’s strength and resources.
Even so they had kept His Word and not denied His name.
We see that the Word of Christ was available to this church. It was the inspired teaching of the apostles
and prophets that was gradually inscripturated and canonized. Paul exhorted the church at Colosse,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16). The churches were guided by the
Holy Spirit in the choice of which books to add to the canon of Scripture.
To keep or observe God’s Word means more, therefore, than having it and believing it and studying
it. It means to obey it and to protect it against error. Thus, we see that the churches have a key role in
the preservation of the Scripture. Christ’s words were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the
apostles and prophets and inscripturated. We have the words of Christ in the completed canon of
Scripture, and the churches are tasked with guarding this treasure from corruption, defending it
against the devil’s attacks (“observe all things”). They are also tasked with obeying it in all points. This
is what the church at Philadelphia was commended for.
He promised to set before them an open door and to keep them from the hour of temptation.
We believe that these promises go together. The open door is to escape the Great Tribulation described
in verse 10. The “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” is the Great Tribulation
mentioned by Isaiah (Isa. 2:10-22), Daniel (Dan. 12:1), Joel (Joel 2:2), Malachi (Mal. 4:1), and Jesus
(Matt. 24:21), and it is described in detail in Revelation 5-18.
We believe the door and the way of escape refers to the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:15-17), whereby the New
Testament saints are taken to heaven at the beginning of the Tribulation. Note that the Rapture is
held forth as a source of comfort to New Testament saints (1 Thess. 4:18). If the Rapture occurred at
the end of the Great Tribulation, it would not be much of a comfort, to say the least! In 1 Thessalonians
5:1-9 we see that the day of the Lord to judge the world will come upon the unsaved as a thief in the
night, but that day will not overtake us because we are not appointed to wrath.
The promise to the church of Philadelphia is God’s promise to every true believer who is alive when
the church age ends and the “time of Jacob’s trouble” begins. This promise also applies to the open
doors that Christ sets before His people in this present life. When God opens a door, no man can shut
it. I recall when the LORD laid on my heart to start the audio-bible project. These devices were
expensive but to the glory of God, we have given close to 7,000 in less than four years!
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THE CHALLENGE
These believers at Philadelphia who have only a "little strength” have nevertheless kept God's Word
and have not denied His Name. God promises that they will become pillars in the temple of God
(Revelation 3:12). This church may have been small in number or in material resources, but God was
going to make them strong.
They are promised an open door. In Scripture, an open door refers to Christ (John 10:7), an opening
to preach the Gospel (Acts 5:19-20), and the rapture of the Church (Revelation 4:1). Each of these may
be interpreted as the "open door" promised to this church, even as each can be applied to the Church
today.
In these end times, God is opening many tremendous doors of opportunity and there is always an
inherent danger of failing to advance at Christ's command. You may feel you have only a little strength,
but God can make you a strong and mighty pillar in His Kingdom—a spiritual warrior who is able to
walk through every door He opens. The doors keep opening because “He is coming quickly”.
The quick return of Christ is a great incentive to persevering faithfulness and a great consolation under
present trials.
Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. It is possible to lose one’s rewards by
carelessness and disobedience. Compare Hebrews 10:35 and 2 John 7-11. Thus, it is imperative that
every believer hold fast to the New Testament faith and to obedient, godly Christian living and to
faithfulness in the things of Christ.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: A
pillar speaks of glory and eminence. It is a monument. The pillars of the assembly are its eminent men
(Gal. 2:9). The believer will be a pillar in the eternal temple of God in heaven, not in the sense of
supporting the temple, but as “a monument of the free and powerful grace of God, a monument that
shall never be defaced nor removed” (Matthew Henry).
CONCLUSION
1. Weakness and littleness are not excuses to the service of the LORD.
2. It is not about your strength, it’s about God’s strength living through you.
3. Don’t seek to be known by the world. Be known by heaven where you are to be made a pillar.
4. Be identified in God.
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LAODICEA
THE DANGER OF LUKEWARMNESS
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art
neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As
many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the
door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will
sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:14-22
THE ANCIENT CITY OF LAODICEA

Located about 40 miles south and a little east of Philadelphia and 18 miles west of Colosse, Laodicea
was a large and important city in John’s time. It was situated upon six or seven hills about a mile and
a half from the small river Lycus.
The city was the residence of the Roman governors of Asia under the emperors and had magni$cent
public buildings and a large stadium and three marble theaters, one of which was 450 feet in diameter.
It was famous for its wealth. It was a banking and trading center. It has been called the “Wall Street”
of Asia Minor. It was so wealthy that when the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 61 A.D. the
citizens rejected the help of the Roman government and rebuilt at their own expense.
It was a clothing and fashion center. The fine glossy black wool of its sheep was known far and wide.
One thing made from this was a soft wool tunic called trimita, which was extremely popular (William
Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches).
The city was also devoted to sports and music. The enclosed stadium 1,000 feet in length served for
gladiatorial games as well as musical contests. The city was given over to idolatry, worshipping Zeus,
Dionysus, Helios (the sun), Athena, Aphrodite, and others (Yamauchi, New Testament Cities in Western
Asia Minor).
There was a renowned school of medicine there, and a popular Phrygian powder for weak and sick
eyes was manufactured in Laodicea and distributed widely in tablet form.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

Ephesus and “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10). Since Laodicea
was in this area, it is likely that the church was established at this time, perhaps through the
instrumentality of some who were converted under Paul’s preaching.
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We do know that the church existed in Paul’s day and that he was familiar with it. In his epistle to the
church at Colosse, Paul exhorts them to salute the church at Laodicea (Col. 4:15) and mentions a letter
that he had written to Laodicea (Col. 4:16).
CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

He reveals Himself as true and faithful. Amen means “truly, surely, certainly.” When Paul says that all
the promises of God “in him are yea, and in him Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20), it means the promises are true
and sure. Jesus thus reveals Himself to this lukewarm church as thrice true and faithful (“the Amen,
the faithful and true witness”). He is therefore utterly dependable.
He reveals Himself as the beginning of the creation of God. This does not mean that Christ was created.
Colossians 1:16 states that all things were created by Christ, and John 1:3 says, “All things were made
by him; AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANY THING MADE THAT WAS MADE.” The “beginning of the
creation of God” means that Christ is the firstborn from the dead and the head of the new creation
(Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5). He has all preeminence, all authority in heaven and earth (Mat. 28:18), and has
been given a name above every name (Phil. 2:9).
The fact that Christ is the true and faithful one means that He does not countenance error and
unfaithfulness. Not only are His promises true but so are His warnings of judgment, as this church
would soon learn. Truth is never something that is of little consequence to God. e Spirit of God is
“the Spirit of truth” (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13).
THE CONDEMNATION
Note that there is no commendation for this church. The same is true for the church at Sardis. There
were two churches with no rebuke and two churches with no commendation.
Christ condemned them because of their lukewarmness: Notice the severity and directness of this
condemnation. Christ is not always gentle. He drove the money changers out of the temple with a
whip (John 2:13-15). He rebuked the Pharisees as hypocrites, children of hell, blind guides, fools,
serpents, generation of vipers (Mat. 23:13-33). When He was grieved at the hardness of the hearts of
the Jewish leaders he “looked round about on them with anger” (Mark 3:5).
Note how self-deceived they were. The people of Laodicea felt they needed nothing. They boasted of
their riches, yet they were spiritually poor. Although they were famous for their eye salve, they were
spiritually blind. They were known for their fine wool, but they were spiritually naked.
They were neither cold nor hot. They were lackadaisical and halfhearted in spiritual matters. They had
a little interest but only a little. They were church members and went through the motions of
Christianity, but they didn’t take it very seriously. They loved the world as much as they loved Christ.
They didn’t believe in being fanatical about the Bible.
Christ said He would rather that they were cold than lukewarm. If they were entirely cold and
irreligious it would be easier to convince them of their lost condition, but since they saw themselves
as right with God it was much harder to bring them to repentance. Lukewarmness or indifference in
religion is the worst temper in the world.
They were proud of and trusted in their worldly prosperity. See how rich we are! See our salaries and
our buildings and equipment and our technology, was their testimony.
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The twenty-first century church is bedeviled with the same phenomena. Our focus now is to prove
ministry by the stylishness of auditoriums and flashiness of the congregations. The church has become
some kind of a fraternal club where members just fulfill their Sunday obligations with their hearts far
detached from the God of the Bible.
They looked at things through carnal rather than spiritual eyes, measuring things by man’s standards
rather than by Christ’s (Rev. 3:17). Because they were prosperous they thought things were $ne and
God must be pleased, but in reality they were in wretched spiritual condition.
They were poor (Rev. 3:17), even though they were rich in this world. If the rich in this world could
only see how desperately poverty- stricken they are in light of eternity, they would flee to Christ. The
wealthiest men of this world, who can purchase the satisfaction of every desire and whim, are paupers
before God and their poverty will be exposed for all to see in the next life. They will not take one
particle of wealth from this world, and having died without Christ they will be eternally bankrupt,
without hope of recovery. Further, all of the riches of this world cannot purchase one iota of God’s
salvation.
They were blind (Rev. 3:17). They could not see their true condition. They could not see understand
spiritual things. They were oblivious to the danger that lay before them because they could not see it.
The fact that they thought they could see made their condition even more perilous. If a man knows
that he is blind, he is very cautious and seeks help, but if a blind man thinks he can see he walks boldly
on and is in danger on every hand
They were naked (Rev. 3:17). The spiritual condition described here is that of the unsaved. To be
naked before God is to be without the clothing of Christ’s righteousness. Every righteousness that the
sinner has of his own is but filthy rags before God (Isa. 64:6).
This condition is found among churches today. This is a description of Christianity in general in this
age. Never have so many churches been so prosperous, and they glory in this.
Christ warned them that He would spew them out of his mouth. This is strong language. To be spewed
out of the mouth is to be vomited out. The lukewarm professor literally makes Christ sick at His
stomach. He cannot stand a lukewarm person and will not abide by it for long but will vomit him out.
How do you know if you are lukewarm? Ask yourself these questions:
... Are you committed to evangelism and missions?
... Are you committed to living a holy life?
... Are you committed to your local church fellowship?
... Are you committed to spending time in prayer, worship, and the Word?
... Are you committed to other believers in the Body of Christ?
... Are you actively supporting God's work with your finances?
THE CHALLENGE
The people at Laodicea were spiritually lukewarm and Christ said their condition must be remedied.
He commanded them to do three things which we also must do if we want to eradicate our
lukewarmness:
1."Buy of me gold, tried in the fire."
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Gold is refined by the fire. Let the Word of God refine you spiritually and burn away lukewarmness in
your life:
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven
times. (Psalm 12:6)
2."Buy of me white raiment.”

Allow God to change you by making a renewed commitment to righteous living:
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)
3."Anoint your eyes so you can see."

Receive the powerful revelation of God through Jesus Christ which will open your blinded eyes and
effect true change in your life:
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians
4:6)
Christ stands at the door and knocks. He is standing outside of the church, which shows its wretched
condition like nothing else could. Yet this is still one of the seven golden candlesticks and apparently
is still a true church of Jesus Christ at this point. The Lord is graciously knocking on the door of this
wayward church and inviting the church as a whole, and individual members thereof, to respond to
His compassionate rebuke by repenting of their apostate condition. Christ yearns for the church to
return to a position of obedience and fellowship. He does not want to judge them; He wants to restore
them.
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PROMISES TO OVERCOMERS
Jesus is not returning for a weak, anemic, defeated Church. He is returning for a mighty, powerful
Church composed of men and women who have learned to overcome. In each of His messages to the
seven churches, Jesus gave a specific promise to those who overcome:
1.Overcomers will eat of the tree of life.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God"
(Revelation 2:7).
Those who overcome will inherit eternal life. They will live forever!
2.Overcomers will not be hurt by the second death.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh
shall not be hurt of the second death" (Revelation 2:11).
Those who overcome have their names written in the Book of Life and are part of the first resurrection.
The "second death" is identified in Revelation 20:14 as the lake of fire. The second death has no power
over the righteous who are part of the first resurrection:
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath
no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand
years” (Revelation 20:6).
3.Overcomers will eat of the hidden manna.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna...." (Revelation 2:17).
The "hidden manna" refers to Christ because He is the Bread of Life (John 6:33-35). Jesus, in all His
fullness, will be manifested to those who overcome and they will partake of all that He is and has!
4.Those who overcome will be given a new name.

"I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my
new name" (Revelation 3:12).
To "write the name upon something" is a common Hebrew expression used to indicate taking absolute
possession of something. Christ will write His Name upon the foreheads of those who overcome,
forever identifying them as His own possession.
5.Overcomers will be given power over the nations.

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over
the nations." (Revelation 2:26).
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Overcomers will reign with Christ and sit in judgment over the nations (Revelation 20:4).
6.Overcomers will be clothed in white garments.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his
name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels" (Revelation 3:5).
The white garments that overcomers will wear represents the righteousness of the saints: "And to her
was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints" (Revelation 19:8). John saw the redeemed standing before the throne of God,
clothed in white robes with palms in their hands (Revelation 7:9).
7.Overcomers will be a pillar in the temple in the New Jerusalem.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more
out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which
is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him
my new name" (Revelation 3:12).
A pillar is permanent, so Christ's promise to those who overcome means He will give them a
permanent place in the New Jerusalem. Absolutely nothing will be able to remove them from their
place in heavenly Jerusalem!
8.Overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21).
Those who overcome will sit with Christ on His throne and reign with Him forever!
9.Overcomers will inherit all things.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son"
(Revelation 21:7).
This promise is the summation of all the blessings God can bestow. Like a son taking possession of his
inheritance, those who overcome will take possession of all their Heavenly Father has prepared for
them.
YOU ARE CALLED TO OVERCOME!

Beloved, these promises do not belong to half-hearted, uncommitted, compromising, fearful,
unfaithful believers, but to those who overcome!
The word "overcome" in these verses is translated from the Greek word, "nikao", which means "to
conquer." When Christ calls us to overcome, He is calling us to conquer by locating our enemy,
engaging him in combat, and defeating him!
... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER the flesh!
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So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, (for us, for you), arm yourselves with the same thought
and purpose (patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God). For whoever has suffered in
the flesh (having the mind of Christ) has done with (intentional) sin has stopped pleasing
himself and the world, and pleases God. So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural
life living by (his) human appetites and desires, but (he lives) for what God wills. (1 Peter 4:1-
2)
... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER the world!

Jesus said: "In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be
of good cheer—take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted -for I have overcome the
world I have deprived it of power to harm, have conquered it (for you.)." (John 16:33)
... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER sin!

For sin shall not have dominion over you. (Romans 6:14)
... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER Satan!

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Christ has overcome, and, by His Spirit living within us, we are able to do the same:
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the
world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is
the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
You do not overcome because of who you are. It is not because of any merit of your own—your good
works, your strength, or anything else you possess. You are able to overcome the flesh, the world, sin,
Satan and his evil principalities because of Jesus Christ who lives within you!
37
REFERENCES
Wilmington’s Guide To The Bible
The Seven Churches of Revelation-David Cloud
Message To The Seven Churches-Morris Cerullo
38

Seven Churches of Revelation

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Seven Churches of Revelation

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SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION

BARIMAH KOFI ASARE KYEI-BAFFOUR

THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

REVELATION, A PROPHETIC BOOK

A PICTORIAL & SYMBOLIC BOOK

Why is there so much symbolism in the book of Revelation?

- Profitable for personal application

THE BEATITUDES OF REVELATION

2. Affirm His ultimate reign over the earth:

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

Churches Represent... Dates

The church at Thyatira: The danger of moral compromise.

ANCIENT CITY OF EPHESUS

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

THE COMMENDATION OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

4.There is a loss of intimacy in your

THE CHURCH MUST KNOW

THE MEANING OF THE NAME

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA

THE ANCIENT CITY OF PERGAMOS

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS

1. The way of Balaam was covetousness, he could easily be bought.

MEANING: Continual Sacrifice.

THE ANCIENT CITY OF THYATIRA

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA

Peter teaches us that charity is the end of a process of spiritual growth

Old Jezebel Profile

Her Sin in the church

THE ANCIENT CITY OF SARDIS

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

THE ANCIENT CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

What is the key of David?

He knows that they had a little strength.

THE ANCIENT CITY OF LAODICEA

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

CHRIST’S REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

1."Buy of me gold, tried in the fire."

2."Buy of me white raiment.”

3."Anoint your eyes so you can see."

1.Overcomers will eat of the tree of life.

2.Overcomers will not be hurt by the second death.

3.Overcomers will eat of the hidden manna.

4.Those who overcome will be given a new name.

5.Overcomers will be given power over the nations.

6.Overcomers will be clothed in white garments.

7.Overcomers will be a pillar in the temple in the New Jerusalem.

8.Overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne.

9.Overcomers will inherit all things.

YOU ARE CALLED TO OVERCOME!

... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER the flesh!

... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER the world!

... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER sin!

... We are called to OVERCOME and CONQUER Satan!