TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

 Revelation chapters 2 – 3

 Introduction:

1. Each separate letter within these two chapters has vital information regarding what we must do in …
   1. Keeping the local church pure before the eyes of Christ
   2. Combating the persecutions that come upon us due to our allegiance to Christ
   3. Retaining the knowledge of VICTORY, HOPE, PROMISE, and GLORY that comes from serving Christ Jesus.
2. That these letters involve the direct purpose of the book of Revelation is determined by studying 1:1; 11; 19 – 20.
3. While the separate affairs of each city mentioned have a bearing on the wording of these letters, and it is profitable to examine them separately, we must remember the application of the book of Revelation is for us one of VICTORY, HOPE, PROMISE, and GLORY. Therefore, while not in any fashion minimizing the importance of each separate letter, it is equally valuable to note the COMMON MESSAGE sent to each local church.

1. BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THESE LOCAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST
   1. EPHESUS
      1. Their good qualities
         1. Works, labor, patience, could not bear them, which are evil.
         2. Tried the pretenders and found them liars.
         3. Persevered, endured, and for Jesus’ Name’s sake, labored without surrender.
         4. Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans
      2. Their sins
         1. Left their first love
      3. SMYRNA
         1. Their good qualities
            1. Surrounded by false teachers of the synagogue of Satan
            2. Warned to continue enduring to obtain a crown of life.
         2. Their sins
            1. None specifically mentioned
         3. PERGAMOS
            1. Their good qualities
               1. Held fast the name of Jesus Christ
               2. Not denied the faith
            2. Their sins
               1. Some upheld the false doctrine of Balaam
               2. Some upheld the false doctrine of the Nicolaitans

1. THYATIRA
   1. Their good qualities
      1. Works, charity, service, faith, patience, and even greater works
      2. For those not guilty of the mentioned sins, there would be no added burdens.
   2. Their sins
      1. Allowed a false prophetess to teach and seduce Christ’s servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols.
   3. SARDIS
      1. Their good qualities (* In this letter only is the order of listing their good qualities and sins reversed.)
         1. A few had not defiled their garments
      2. Their sins
         1. They lived a name but were dead.
         2. Imperfect works
      3. PHILADELPHIA
         1. Their good qualities
            1. Given an opened door of opportunity
            2. Kept the word of Christ, though only a little strength
            3. They had not denied His name.
            4. Kept the word of His patience
         2. Their sins
            1. None specifically mentioned
         3. LAODICEA
            1. Their good qualities
               1. None mentioned!
            2. Their sins
               1. Lukewarmness
               2. Arrogant regarding their temporal riches; consequently, making them wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

1. COMMON MESSAGE GIVEN TO ALL CHURCHES
   1. “I know thy works.”
      1. Hebrews 4:12 – 13
      2. Hebrews 6:10
      3. 1 Peter 3:10 – 12
      4. 2 Corinthians 5:10
   2. “He that overcometh”
      1. Indicates improvements CAN BE MADE even with those churches without specifically named sins.
      2. Romans 12:21
      3. 2 Peter 2:19 – 20
      4. 1 John 2:13 – 14; 4:4
   3. “He that have ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth unto the churches.”
      1. Luke 8:18
      2. Romans 10:17
      3. Matthew 4:4
      4. 2 Timothy 2:15

• THE RESPONSIBILITY OF “REPENT”
  1. Five of the seven churches received the command, “Repent.”
  2. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia did not receive this charge; yet THEY ALSO RECEIVED THE STATEMENT, “HE THAT OVERCOMETH.”

1. NOTE WHAT SOME HAD NOT DONE!
   1. Ephesus
      1. Did not bear them which were evil.
      2. Had not fainted
   2. Pergamos
      1. Had not denied the name of Jesus Christ
   3. Thyatira
      1. Had some that did not accept the false doctrine
      2. Some had not known the depths of Satan
   4. Sardis
      1. Some had not defiled their garments
   5. Philadelphia
      1. Had not denied His name
   6. These “negatives” were in fact POSITIVE ACTIONS
      1. By these actions, they would find VICTORY
      2. By these actions, they would receive HOPE
      3. By these actions, they would receive PROMISE
      4. By these actions, they would receive GLORY.