Coachlight Bible Study – Revelation Chapter 2-3

Coachlight Bible Study – Revelation 2-3 – The Things Which Are

The Epistles of Jesus Christ To The Church

Chapters 2-3 are actually seven epistles given to John, so that he could write and send them to the seven churches Chosen By Christ located in Asia.

The characteristics of each selected church parallels seven distinct periods in church history, and each characteristic does not end with the next period, but continues until the end.

The messages from Christ are just as important to us today as they were to the seven churches of John’s time – In Fact Maybe Even More Important.

Part One - Introduction

I. The Messages To The 7 Churches Located Between 2 Visions

A. Vision Of Christ In The Middle Of The 7 Candlesticks – Chapter 1

B. Vision Of The 24 Elders Around The Throne – Chapter 4

1. Chapter 4 is The Glorified church, with Christ – I Thessalonians 4:13-17

2. Chapter 2-3 Is The 2^nd division of Revelation – The Things Which Are

II. The Epistles Were Messages To The 7 Churches In Asia

A. The Character of the 7 Churches Was Their Condition In John’s Day

B. The Character of Each Church Represents All Churches Throughout History

1. There Is A Parallel Between Their Characteristics And Church History

2. Each Characteristic parallels 7 distinctive historical church periods

3. Each Characteristic Continues To The Next Through The End

a. From John’s Day

b. Until the Rapture

III. The Epistles Are A Prophetic Outline Of Church History

A. The Church Disappears From Earth At The End Of Chapter 3

B. The Church Is Not Seen Again Until Returning With Christ – Chapter 19

Historical Parrallels Of The Seven Churches
Ephesus	Represents the Apostolic age or the first Church age ending about AD 100
Smyrna	Represents The Age of Martyrs, ending with the death of Polycarp about AD 300
Pergamos	Represents the marriage of the Church and State by Constantine in AD 313 and continues until 590 AD when the first Pope was set up.
Thyatira	Represents the Roman Catholic Church starting with the first Pope, from AD 590- AD 1517. This is a good letter that parallels the Roman Catholic Church.
Sardis	Represents the Reformation Church, AD 1517- AD 1790. The hallmark of the reformation was death by not confessing the Roman Catholic doctrines as truth. The promise to the overcomers is Jesus 'confessing them to the Father'. The warning in v3 is to get back to the truth that they had once heard. The Reformers did a great job, but held the Amillennial view.
Philadelphia	Represents the Missionary Age church, who revived the Pretribulation view and spread the Word to the world. That was the great Missionary age, AD 1730- AD 1850, under William Carey, Finney, Edwards, Moody and the Pentecostals. The revival period
Laodicea	Represents the Apostate Church of the last days. It began in the late 1800's and it is characterized by the start of Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, the New Age/Theosophy movement under Alice Baily, 7 Day Adventist's under Ellen G. White, Christian Science under Mary Baker Eddy. The United Nations started the World Council of Churches

The 7 Churches Parrallel 7 Church History Periods
Revelation 2-3	Name Meaning	Characteristics	Age	Approximate Dates
Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7	Permitted, To Let Go	Time of Sowing, Organization, & Evangelism	Apostolic	Pentecost To AD 100
Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11	Myrrh, Bitterness	Persecution, Enemy Revealed, Worldly Alliance	Martyrs	Nero - AD 300
Pergamos Revelation 2:12-17	Throughly Married	Great External Growth – Post Millennial	Marriage of Church & State - Paganism	AD 300 – AD 800
Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29	Continual Sacrifice	Papal Domination, Doctrinal Corruption, Empty Profession	Papacy	AD 800 – AD 1517
Sardis Revelation 3:1-6	Those Escaping	Reformation, Rise of the State Church	Reformation	AD 1520- AD 1750
Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13	Brotherly Love	True Church In The Last Days – Revived Pre-Tribulation	Missionary Age	AD 1750 – AD 1948
Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22	People Ruling	Apostasy in The Last Days	Apostate	AD 1948 - Rapture

Part Two – Messages To The Churches

I. Church At Ephesus - Backslidden Church - Revelation 2:1-7

Christ -Revelation 2:1 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;

Commendation - Revelation 2:2 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:

Revelation 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Complaint - Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Warning - Revelation 2:5 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.

Praise - Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Promise - Revelation 2:7 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.

A. The Complaint – The Church Had Lost Its First Love

1. Character Seen From It’s Name – “To Let Go” – It Was Backslidden

2. They had been involved in ministry and forgot the reason why

3. Paul, Who Planted This Church, Gave His Prophetic Warning

Acts 20: 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 29:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

B. The Significance is seen in Christ’s praise of the church:

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

1. Paul’s Wolves are here called Nicolaitans

a. Niko – “To Conquer or overthrow” – Laos – “The people or Laity”

b. A group bringing in an Old Testament Priestly Order over common people

1. Priests

2. Levites

2. Their Objective – Establish a “Holy Order” over common people

a. Clergy

b. Cardinals

c. Popes – “Apostolic Succession”

3. This Separation of Clergy from laity is the thing Christ hates

C. Ephesus was not deceived – Recognized Them as false apostles and liars

II. Church At Smyrna - Persecuted Church - Revelation 2:8-11

Christ - Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Persecution - Revelation 2:9 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.

Exhortation - Revelation 2:10 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.

Promise - Revelation 2:11 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.

A. The Name – Means Bitterness Or Myrrh – Ointment Associated With Death

1. Prophecy of Persecution & Death To Come To Pass In Smyrna

2. They were instructed to be faithful

a. Be faithful unto death

b. Not recant their faith when facing death for Christ

B. Their Reward Will Be A Crown of Life – A Martyr’s Crown

C. The Author Of Their Persecution Would Be Satan

D. The Length Of Time Of Their Persecutions Would Be 10 Years

Roman Emperors During The Christian Martyrs Age
Nero	AD 54
Domitian	AD 81
Trajan	AD 98
Adrian	AD 117
Septimus Severus	AD 193
Maximin	AD 235
Decius	AD 249
Valerian	AD 270
Diocletian	AD 284 – Lasted 10 Years

1. History shows 10 outbursts of persecution the martyrdom under Rome

a. Each wave more terrible than the last

b. The Christians refused to worship the Emperors and were killed

c. The final lasted ten years

2. Eusebius Was A Witness Of This Persecution

a. He was a witness of the last wave of persecution

b. He was a witness before Constantine made Christianity the state religion

3. Eusebius Wrote About The Last Wave Of Persecution

"Even the wild beasts refused at last to attack the Christians, the bloody swords became dull and shattered, the executioners grew weary; but the Christians went singing to their deaths with hymns of praise, thanksgiving and worship on their lips."

III. Church At Pergamos – Immoral Church - Revelation 2:12-17

Christ - Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Commendation - Revelation 2:13 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.

Complaint - Revelation 2:14 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.

Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Warning - Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Promise - Revelation 2:17 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.

A. Pergamos Is Spoken Of As Satan’s Seat

1. Pergamos was the political capital of Roman Asia

a. It was a noted center for culture and education

b. It was an extremely religious city

1. It had temples to Dionysus, Athena, Demeter & Zeus

2. It had a special center of worship of Asclepios

a. The god of healing & knowledge

b. Represented as a serpent

c. Had a medical school at the temple

2. Chaldean Capitol Was Moved From Babylon To Pergamos

a. Attalus III Fled From Persians To Pergamos

1. At First He Persecuted Christians

2. Antipas Was Martyred Then

b. Attalus III Changed Tactics And Exalted The Church

1. Through Constantine United Church & State

2. Offered Inducements For Paganism To Enter The Church

3. Inducements For Paganism To Enter The Church

a. The Doctrine Of The Nicolaitans – Seen At Ephesus

1. Presumptuous Authority

2. Hierarchical Separatism

3. Immorality

4. Gnostic, or Secret Knowledge Type of Religion

b. The Doctrine Of Balaam – Numbers 22-25

1. Children of Israel landed in Moab on the way to Canaan

a. King Balak of Moab wanted Balaam to cuse them

b. God would not permit Balaam to curse Israel

2. Balak Had Balaam To Invite Israel To One Of His Immoral Feasts

a. As Israel saw the daughters of Moab

b. Israel committed whoredoms with them

c. God sent a plague which killed 42,000 of them

3. Pergamos’ Name Means Per – “High Tower” – Gamos – “marriage”

a. Now Pergamos means spiritual fornication

b. Soft Doctrine That Snares People

c. What Satan Couldn’t Do By Persecution He Does With Seduction

3. Constantine’s Balaamic Method

a. Gave Basilicas To The Bishops To Convert Into Churches

b. Gave Much Money For Their Adornment

c. Bishops Soon Had

1. Expensive Vestments

2. Seats On A High Throne In The Basilica

a. Marble Altar In Front Of Him

b. Gold & Gems In Front Of Him

d. Sensuous Form Of Worship Established

1. Preaching Changed – Post Millennialism Established

2. Pagan Festivals Were Adopted

e. Example Of Pagan Festivals Adopted To Attract Pagans

1. Sun God Festival Shortly After Winter Solstice – December 25

a. A Great Pagan Festival

b. Celebrated In Rome With Games

2. Changed The Son of God’s Birthday From April to December 25

4. The Church Got Richer And The Message Changed

1. No Longer Preached The Rapture

2. The Church Was Ruling For God On Earth

3. Christ Did Not Have To Return

a. The Jews Were Cast Off Forever

b. All Israel’s Promises Were For The Church

IV. Church At Thyatira – Lax Church - Revelation 2:18-29

Christ - Revelation 2:18 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;

Commendation - Revelation 2:19 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.

Complaint - Revelation 2:20 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.

Revelation 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 2:23 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.

Promise - Revelation 2:24 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.

Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Revelation 2:27 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.

Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

A. The Commendation - Lays The Emphasis On Their Works

1. Charity 2. Service 3. Faith 4. Patience 5. Increasing works

B. The Complaint - They Have Allowed So-Called Prophetess Jezebel

1. To Remain In The Church

2. To Teach Her Doctrines - Seducing The People

a. Seduction to Commit Spiritual & Sexual Fornication

b. Eat Things Sacrificed To Idols

3. Implied Comparison To Jezebel of I Kings 16:29-33

a. Wife of Ahab & Not of the Children of Abraham – Princess of Tyre

b. Jezebel’s Family - Idolatry & Savagery In Devotion To Baal & Astarte

c. Jezebel’s Father Murdered Phales – The King & Succeeded Him

d. King Ahab Married Jezebel To Strengthen His Kingdom

e. Jezebel Introduced Immoral Worship of Baal To Israel

1. Jezebel Killed Many of the Prophets of The Lord

2. Jezebel Continued Her Influence After Ahab’s Death

3. Jezebel’s Influence During Her 2 Sons Reign – Ahaziah & Jehoram

f. Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah Married Jehoram

1. Jehoram Was Son of Jehoshaphat – King of Judah

2. Athaliah Introduced Baal Immoral Worship To Judah

3. Athaliah Had A House of Baal Built In Jerusalem

g. Jezebel Caused All Israel To Sin - After The Sin of Jeroboam – Nebat’s Son

4. The Church From AD 606 – 1520 – A Type of Jezebel

a. Introduced Church Superiority Over Word of God

b. Introduced Many Pagan Rites Into The Church

1. Like The Sacrifice of the Mass – Jezebel Like Seduction

2. Like The Introduction of The Papal System & Images

3. Like The Inquisition – Jezebel like Persecution

IV. Church At Sardis – Dead - Revelation 3:1-6

Christ Revelation 3:1 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.

Condemnation Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Counsel Revelation 3:3 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.

Warning Revelation 3:4 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.

Promise Revelation 3:5 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 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

A. The Church at Sardis - Called a Dead Church though it had a name to live

B. A Kind of Formalistic or Ritualistic Church – Like Paul Wrote

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

C. Sardis - “Those who came out” – Type of Reformation Church

1. When Martin Luther Broke away From The Roman Catholic Church

2. Luther and Reformers Protested Against Tyranny & False Teaching

3. Was A Political Freedom Movement as well as Spiritual

4. It Much Aided The Circulation of Scripture – Kept From Public By RCC

a. Revival of Justification By Faith

b. Revival of True Worship of God

c. Revival of Sola Scriptura Hermeneutics

5. The Many Denominations Eventually lead to Being A ‘Dead Church’

a. They Erred By Not Realizing Fully The Promise of 2^nd Coming

b. They Turned From Idols, but Were Not Looking for His Appearing

VI. CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA - Favored - Revelation 3:7-13

Christ Revelation 3:7 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;

Commendation Revelation 3:8 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.

Promise Revelation 3:9 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.

Revelation 3:10 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.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 3:12 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 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

A. Philadelphia - "Brotherly Love"

1. Brought Down Many of the Theological Disputes of the Reformation

2. Made Possible The Great Missionary Movement

B. Philadelphia – Had A Little Strength

1. Like a dead person coming alive but still weak

2. Like the Dead Church Revived

3. Began with Whitefield, MoodyWestley, & Finney