Download PowerPoint Charts - Hebron Lane Church of Christ

The Seven Churches of Asia
Revelation 2-3
Seven Churches of Asia
Ephesus - Left Their First Love
Smyrna - Poor-Rich Church
Pergamos - Where Satan Dwells
Thyatira - Compromising Church
Sardis - Dead Church
Philadelphia - An Open Door
Laodicea - Self-Sufficient Church
A Common Pattern
to the Seven Letters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identification
Commendation
Complaint
Counsel
Promise
Common Statements
1. “To the angel of the
church”
2. “I know your works”
3. “To him who overcomes”
4. “He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches”
The Book of Revelation
•
a book of signs and
symbols - Rev. 1:1
•
written in Apocalyptic style
Christ Among the
Lampstands
Revelation 1:10-20
The Meaning of John’s Vision
The Meaning of John’s Vision
• seven golden lampstands
• one like the Son of Man
• garment down to the feet
• girded with a gold band
• head, hair white as wool, snow
• eyes like a flame of fire
The Meaning of John’s Vision
• feet as fine brass, refined in
•
•
•
•
furnace
voice as sound of many waters
seven stars in His right hand
two-edged sword out of His mouth
countenance like the sun
The Meaning of John’s Vision
It is not important what we know
what Jesus looks like.
 It is important that we understand
and respect His authority and
power.


It is also important that we learn the
lesson of John’s reaction (v. 17).
Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus
• Pop. 250,000
• Asia Minor’s most
important seaport
• Three trade routes
converged
• “Supreme Metropolis of Asia”
• A free city
Ephesus - A Privileged Church
• Paul spent over three years in
Ephesus
• From Ephesus, the gospel was
spread throughout all Asia Minor
• Paul warned the Ephesian elders
• Timothy was left there
• John lived there
A Common Pattern
to the Seven Letters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identification
Commendation
Complaint
Counsel
Promise
Identification
• He who holds the seven stars in
His right hand
• Who walks in the midst of the
seven golden lampstands
• Stresses the Lord’s firsthand
knowledge, awareness and
concern for the church.
Commendation
• They Worked and Labored
• They Could Not Bear Evil Men
• They Hated the Deeds of the
Nicolatians
• They Persevered in the Work and
Had Not Grown Weary
Complaint
“Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have
left your first love.”
Counsel
•
•
•
•
Remember
Repent
Do the First Works
Warning
“I will come quickly and
remove your lampstand”
Promise
• To him who overcomes
• I will give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of the
Paradise of God
Ephesus
• They were faithful - but lacking
• Their outward works were not
complimented by an inward love
for Christ
• It is good that a church is known
for their faithfulness, but they also
need to be known for their love
• Have I left my first love?