Jesus Message To The Seven Churches

Lesson 3 for January 19, 2019
It’s amazing how God used the qualities EPHESUS LAODICEA

of seven specific churches in Asia (there SMYRNA PHILADELPHIA
were many churches there) to show the
PERGAMOS SARDIS
future history of the Church.
THYATIRA
The messages are paired in the Jewish
style: the first is paired with the seventh,
the second with the sixth, and the third
with the fifth, while the fourth is double
in extension (depicting the darkest
period in the Church’s history)
Each of the messages is structured as
follows:
a) Jesus is introduced
b) The church is assessed
 Strengths
 Weaknesses
c) Advice
d) Call and promise (*)
(*) The first three churches have (1) a call to listen and (2) a promise.
The last four churches have (1) a promise, and (2) a call to listen.
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IS FORETOLD
EPHESUS SMYRNA PERGAMOS THYATIRA SARDIS PHILADELPHIA LAODICEA

• 31 • 100 • 323 • 538 • 1517 • 1798 • 1844
• 100 • 323 • 538 • 1517 • 1798 • 1844 •…
Until
Until the Justinian
Until the Until Until the Until the
conversion gives the Until the
death of of
Luther’s Pope is end of the
Papacy Reformation End
John Constantine imprisoned 2,300 days
political
power
The church in Smyrna was
the church of martyrdom.
Whoever refused to worship
the emperor was imprisoned
and killed.
Christians were severely
persecuted for 10 years (303-
313 AD), between John’s
death and the edict of
Jesus didn’t specify any
Constantine, Diocletian and
weakness in this church. He
Galerius.
gave them councel that has
encouraged Christians for
centuries: “Do not be afraid…
Be faithful until death, and I
will give you the crown of
life.”
(Revelation 2:10)
“These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:” (Revelation 2:12)
The living emperor was worshipped for the

first time in Pergamos in 29 BC. The god
Asklepios was also worshipped there.
Christians had to offer incense to the emperor
and had to be involved in immoral rites if they
wanted to partake in commercial activities.
Some people in the church taught that it was
acceptable to do so (Balaam and the
Nicolaitans)
Jesus gives them the chance to repent. If they
don’t, they will be punished with a sharp
sword that comes from His mouth.
The strength of the Church declined

doctrinally and spiritually between the 4th
and the 6th century. They needed the bread
of life (“the hidden manna”) as we do today.
“These things says the Son of
God, who has eyes like a flame
T H YAT I R A of fire, and His feet like fine
brass:” (Revelation 2:18)
In Thyatira, craftsmen had to participate in the

rites of pagan temples in order to be admitted in
trade guilds. Some church leaders encouraged
Christians to compromise (they’re called
“Jezebel” in Revelation).
During the Middle Ages, the uneducated masses had a great religious
fervor (2:19), but the Church leaders corrupted the Christian faith. In
538 AD, the Roman Emperor gave them the authority to replace the
intercession of Christ with human intercession, and taught that
salvation could be bought or gained by works.
However, some people still

sought and followed the truth
(e.g. the Waldensians [2:24-25]).
Those who overcome are
promised true authority from
Jesus Christ.
“He who has the seven Spirits of God and
the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that
you have a name that you are alive, but
you are dead.’” (Revelation 3:1)
Sardis was considered a safe city, because it was
situated on an unassailable hill. For that reason, its
negligent inhabitants didn’t watch over the city.
In 1517, the Reformation uplifted the truth again.
Unfortunately, between 1565 and 1740, the
reformed church degenerated into lifeless
formalism.
The Pilgrim Fathers fled to America to enjoy the freedom they had
lost in Europe.
Jesus Christ encourages us to avoid compromising our spiritual life
and to keep watching and growing.
He asks us to seek
spiritual excellence and
to keep our faith clean.
He will give us white
garments.
Philadelphia was a small city which was destroyed by an
earthquake in 17 AD. and rebuilt by Tiberius. The Jews
persecuted the Christians there.
A global religious revival began by the end of the 18th
Century and continued until the middle of the 19th
Century.
It was prophesied that the Second Coming of Christ would be

the main topic (3:10).
There is no reprimand for this church, but an “open door”, a
new glimpse of the spiritual truths of the Heavenly Sanctuary.
We’re encouraged to keep what we

have. Jesus will form His character
(His name) in us, and we’ll live
forever with Him.
Laodiceans were rich thanks to
commerce, their precious black
wool, and their Phrygian eye
salve. There was a thermal spring
close to the city, at Hierapolis.
That water was channeled to the Nothing good was written
city by using an aqueduct. about this church. Jesus
knows our personal
spiritual life and
encourages us to get
whatever we need from
Him.
He continually knocks the
door of our hearts. If we
let Him in and live with
Him, we’ll sit with Him on
His throne.
If you overcome, Jesus promises that…
He’ll give you the fruit of the Tree of Life.
He’ll protect you against the second death.
He’ll give you manna and a little white stone with a new name.
He’ll keep your works until the end. He’ll give you the morning star and
authority over the nations.
You’ll be clothed in white garments, and your name won’t be removed from
the Book of Life. He’ll acknowledge you before the Father and the angels.
He’ll make you a pillar in God’s Sanctuary, and you’ll be forever with Him.
The name of God will be written on you.
You’ll sit with Him on His throne because He has overcome.

“The conflict still goes on between the
children of light and the children of
darkness. Those who name the name of
Christ should shake off the lethargy
that enfeebles their efforts, and should
meet the momentous responsibilities
that devolve upon them. All who do this
may expect the power of God to be
revealed in them. The Son of God, the
world’s Redeemer, will be represented
in their words and in their works, and
God’s name will be glorified.”
E.G.W. (The Sanctified Life, cp. 4, p. 41)

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Lesson 3 for January 19, 2019

It’s amazing how God used the qualities EPHESUS LAODICEA

EPHESUS SMYRNA PERGAMOS THYATIRA SARDIS PHILADELPHIA LAODICEA

The living emperor was worshipped for the

The strength of the Church declined

In Thyatira, craftsmen had to participate in the

However, some people still

It was prophesied that the Second Coming of Christ would be

We’re encouraged to keep what we

He’ll give you the fruit of the Tree of Life.

He’ll protect you against the second death.

You’ll sit with Him on His throne because He has overcome.

E.G.W. (The Sanctified Life, cp. 4, p. 41)

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