7 Churches: Revelation 2-3
7 Lamps/Stars: Revelation 1
Revelation 1:19
Write the things which you have seen, and the
things which are, and the things which will take
place after this.
Revelation
Preterist, Futurist, or Historicist?
Revelation 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in
My right hand, and the seven golden
lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of
the seven churches, and the seven
lampstands which you saw are the seven
churches.
Jesus among His churches
7 Churches: Revelation 2-3
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also
loved the church and gave Himself for her,
What is the Church?
Where is the church
• “… the church that is in their house.” Rm. 16:5
• “… your body is the temple…” 1 Cor. 6:19
• “… the church that is in his house.” Col. 4:15
7 Churches: Located on an
established trade route.
Letters to churches follow a similar pattern
• A salutation: To the angel of the church at ____
• A description: of Jesus that relates to that
particular church
• An “I know” statement: Jesus points out
something about that church that He wants to
emphasize
Letters to churches follow a similar pattern
• A reproof or rebuke: regarding some
shortcoming in that church to 5 of 7 churches
• An admonition: Pay attention to this message
• Promise of blessing or reward: if the church
continues to be faithful and overcomers
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars
in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the
seven golden lampstands:
Revelation 2:2
“I know your works, your labor, your patience,
and that you cannot bear those who are evil.
And you have tested those who say they are
apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
Revelation 2:3
and you have persevered and have patience,
and have labored for My name’s sake and
have not become weary.
Ephesus – the loveless church [A.D. 31-100]
• Faithful to Christ
• Doctrine was pure: tested speakers and
rejected false teachers, resisted evil and
apostasy
• Hardworking
Ephesus – the loveless church [A.D. 31-100]
• Jesus commends them for their labors
• Active in sharing Jesus throughout the then
known world
• Stalwarts for the truths of the Word
• Faith to Christ’s teachings
Revelation 2:4
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you
have left your first love.
Are we in
danger of
losing our first
love?
Revelation 2:5
Remember therefore from where you have
fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I
will come to you quickly and remove your
lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Remember from where you have fallen
• Remember the peace that came with know
Jesus
• Think about at time you felt closer to Christ
• What was your prayer life like?
• What was your Bible study and devotional life like?
• How active were in you God’s church?
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to
glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
• Turn off the Television
• Remove or reduce social media
• Spend time with Jesus in prayer
and meditation
REMEMBER – REPENT - RETURN
Revelation 2:6
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The Nicolaitans
considered it “a matter
of indifference to
practice adultery, and
to eat things sacrificed
to idols”
-Irenaeus, 2nd century
minister/historian
1 John 2:4
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep
His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him.
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does
the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
“He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to
the churches. To him who
overcomes I will give to eat
from the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the
Paradise of God.” ’
Overcome what?
Apathy?
Spiritual complacency?
A from of religion?
Lack of spirituality?
Revelation 2:1-7
NEXT TIME: Revelation 2:8-11
7 Churches: Revelation 2-3
