problems of the seven churches in revelation
If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Many interpreters—especially dispensationalists—believe the seven churches of Revelation 2 and... Commendations. We must look for and take “the way of escape” God provides in every situation where temptation is found (verse 13). For more, log onto, Sardis, the ancient capital of the Lydian kingdom, put all evil and all enemies under His feet when He returns, this congregation experienced the ugliness of oppression, Christ commended the church in Philadelphia, What the Bible Says About Communication in Love and Marriage, This Might Be the Reason God Tells You “No”. M. S. Kimber in The Sunday School World, 1893, I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead God’s people into the Promised Land because He believed in God’s promise and presence. The seven churches are (1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4). A really humble man…will not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to us—obedience to God’s Word (Matthew 4:1–11; Hebrews 5:8). Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? We have victory now and for eternity only because of the victory Christ won for us. God doesn’t tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. 1 Corinthians 15:58. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasn’t worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. The seven churches had their share of problems, but they also had some important positive attributes. W. A. Criswell, Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. ���ѐ�r.�Dq��@ *�R(r3���4Pp.B�`h�`.�#yP��(t@� M�C)��t0��&����e���X��f��c)��t4����1 ���@� �E �l��.aa��[7+�J�l7B��q��f�GD� �'(a����k{�b��=�_r�#{���]�`r{d %F����[6R#Ơ�Y(qu�� �!��{��B����hf5�cw�.4�:\�,͂Bx������r����F�u�x_G���A�d�މ5��d�@0`����4�%��l�$��4��K �lB�$��� 8j��h�2�mD:�?�P�1�lF��+ ���5E :���lS�hR�")�F�6�䆾�|�Fh���u�Q���|�3�t�H�,EI��1��,�*�l�I1Ĺ�rt�"�2L�@M1����9(�S�V�Ρ�,�r��J�1,1����ܐ�����E�3�N�"�� 63ruW3�0�g*��1����$��`���^+qU Y1�Z�KTD�fB��@W���_��8hTi��kN0��VK�SXD֥�ZZ��[Q�w2V8��YW_��c0�؞�e�è�[��{W��X���NY�OhIX|��e���WYD����N��p��@�CZއJMrfWjk�L�陮�oj4�t�!�g�'�An��ݕ^1F�C[�/���٩c���Z�UkAY����]�������_Zv7�q}�r������'���M@H]5���4���A���N����_�bG����5�s�>݀qV.�������tD��v����A�A8A���?~�}^S�ڟo��[8��w|}����cD�Т�Yj 7����S�^�%7���Ɲ��|�Ș�f�� +Z}pi�0��[C�l�d���q�� ��:�`�ԅ��C5����m�� ������Hj! In the end, we saw a lot of rocks. That’s the way He cares for us too—every day, all year long, always. Why did Paul say we “glory in tribulations”? 2:13 Rev. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. ; Smyrna: The church that would face severe persecution (Revelation 2:10). How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? %���� The book of Revelation is addressed to the Seven Churches; not just Chapters 2 and 3, but the entire book. Genesis 1:28. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith. >> Integers, from a Latin root meaning “whole” or “entire.” The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances. Start today! Read Romans 8:35-39. After the Roman guards read the Revelation, they decided that it was nothing more than the ramblings of a madman. J. C. Ryle, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. In the church in which I grew up and the Bible College I attended there was a great deal of focus on the the Book of Revelation (as the Bible Church tended to refer to it). Jesus’ words to John are His words to you today: “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 2:6 Rev. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. When God’s mandates go unfulfilled on earth, God’s glory is diminished. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). 2 Peter 3:9. Why or why not? A person of integrity obeys the whole counsel of God every day, in every circumstance. If you had been John on the island of Patmos, how would you have responded when Jesus appeared in all His glory? How do Paul’s words in Romans 12:11 illustrate what the church in Laodicea illustrate had not done? seven churches of Revelation to be a predictive prophecy representative of the chronological unfolding of the Church’s history. 2 and 3 are found back in the Epistles of Paul. Seven Churches of Revelation Management by Walking Around 2. Revelation 15 Commentary: Seven Angels, Seven Plagues ; Revelation 16 Commentary: Seven Bowls of God's Anger ; Revelation 17 Commentary: A Woman Rides the Beast ; Revelation 18 Commentary: Babylon Falls ; See more; 7 Churches Chart Spend a few moments in prayer and ask the Lord to reveal any deficits in your spiritual walk. Deuteronomy 11:12, In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how God’s hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and… has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”. Founded by Paul, this was the most prominent church in Asia Minor. Have you responded to God’s willing invitation to come to Him? Description. He targeted the church at Thyatira because of its strength. Ephesus, the gateway to Asia Minor, was located at a major harbor on the Aegean Sea and housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (a temple to Artemis). Dwight L. Moody, Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Firstly, the conditions described in each of these churches have been present in nearly every era of the Church’s history. /Length 11 0 R Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). What additional information do you find about the Ephesian church? If pride expands one’s importance, does humility deflate one’s importance? Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. You can place your steadfast trust in Him. Lydia, one of Paul’s converts, came from this region (Acts 16:14). We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. Seven Churches of Revelation Bible Study Rome and the surrounding territories became increasing hostile to Jesus’ followers after His death. None of us is above God’s discipline if we engage in sin. Rather, we should think of it soberly and realistically—humbly—and minister accordingly. But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). If you’re prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne. Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the result—a new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. After today (which will include our introduction and Revelation chapter 1) we will look at the seven (7) cities and seven (7) churches in Revelation 2-3. Think of every promise as a precious stone. The seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches Jesus walked among. The first level is historical. Laodicea, the ancient capital of Phrygia, gained wealth through trade and banking. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. There was also no small amount of triumphalism in relation to the seven churches of Asia Minor. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Make sure you have taken Jesus’ words to heart. How does the theme apply to those who are possibly facing death for their faith? The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Seven Churches of Revelation Dony K. Donev While Bulgarian Protestant churches and missions in Northern America have been present since the early twentieth century, networking between them is a rather new phenomenon that has occurred for less than a decade. Revelation’s seven churches were among a number of early Christian communities in Asia Minor. John Calvin, But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. But Jesus clearly tells us that the prophetic events which He describes would begin … Though mankind was given the mandate to “have dominion over” (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. It was now more than fifty-five years from the time of Jesus’ death and Resurrection. That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. That’s nothing compared to the treasure you’ll find when opening the covers of the Bible. Describe the references to doors made by Paul in the following verses: How should we determine whether an opportunity is a door being opened by God? Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed. What did the church’s response to Paul say about its relationship with him and the Lord he served? Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. The beautiful imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 lets us know that the new earth will be a place that reflects the glory of God throughout. Located in Asia Minor (now modern Turkey), these churches represented actual communities of early Christians—not buildings or meeting halls.In addressing each of these congregations, God said that He knew their works. According to Revelation 1:11, on the Greek island of Patmos, Jesus Christ instructs John of Patmos to: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamum, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." to the warnings that Old Testament Israel received from their prophets when Israel failed in their role as God’s representatives on earth They’re building a palace for me over there. Spiritual Problems and Solutions from the 7 Churches of Revelation 1. that the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 represent the condition of the church during the various periods comprising the Christian Era-as Ephesus, for the apostolic age; Sardis, in the eighteenth century; and Laodicea, the 'remnant' church at the end of the age." Pergamos was considered the chief center of religion in Rome's province of Asia. But we’ll soon put aside the tent of our earthly body, and what a relief! When he failed to confess his sin to God, his “bones grew old” and he groaned “all the day long” (verse 3). The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your path—but only if you read it and heed it. (see Revelation 3:15). Harriet Buell, in her hymn “A Child of the King”. It’s been almost 2,000 years since the apostle John was instructed by Jesus to write letters to the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. << Some people wonder about the value of the Old Testament in a Christian’s life. During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. With false humility? The creation is both a monument of God’s power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. With pride? Prayer and a holy life are one. 10 0 obj Life is full of hardships and heaviness. Ask God to strengthen your own church and every Bible-teaching church on earth. Hello heaven! John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. There church, however, had a giant problem. Satan doesn’t attack bad or weak churches. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. These timeless letters reveal a message of God’s love through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, identify and provide correction for problems in the church, and offer hope and encouragement for the future. 1 Corinthians 15:57. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites made—not to provoke God’s discipline by willfully sinning. A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. How would you contrast the passion of your Christian life today with your passion as a new believer in Christ? Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. /Filter /LZWDecode IV, p. 1144. The short letters in Revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches: Ephesus: The church that had abandoned its first love for Christ (Revelation 2:4). Some members were practicing what was taught by Balaam, an ancient prophet who got Israel to sin through them eating food offered in idolatrous worship and by becoming sexually immoral (Revelation 2:14 - 15). Thyatira: The church whose false prophetess was leading … Amen. Thyatira, founded under Alexander the Great, was noted for its trade, particularly purple dye. Pray for holiness in the Body of Christ. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side… taking care of us in life when we can’t take care of ourselves. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere “up there” in the heavens. The Christian’s victory is through Christ. Don’t get me wrong. Second, since all the churches were to read all the letters, the letters were also admonitory to all. �k���5�*A����D�u���KJ�(���0��u��ݰ�T=��(im��N�����hd�E��1��N��J�!�1�b��0j��� Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. Inside was $4,000! Or do you graciously say, “Thank you,” in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? Have you maintained your “first love”? Read Acts 19—20. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold. God’s Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life? But what is the biblical view of humility. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. 2:19-20 -Rev. Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Our focus should be on what message God is giving us through the seven churches. The church in Thyatira was doing everything right, except for holiness. Thomas Watson, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. Matthew 23:27-28 refer to “whitewashed tombs.” How could this metaphor apply to the church in Sardis? Briefly review 1 Corinthians 15 to determine Paul’s theme in that chapter. After the shock of seeing Him, would you have worshiped Him or cowered in fear for having ignored Him in your life? This is the first quiz in a series on the messages to the seven churches in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3. Consider these verses: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). These churches were planted and cultivated by the Apostle Paul, with the church at Ephesus being the lead church. List all the things Paul says cannot separate us from God’s love in Christ. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to go to His Father in prayer for strengthening and guidance, how much more do we (Psalm 32:6)? Read Matthew 23 and identify eight kinds of religious hypocrisy. 2:6 Rev. The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,…Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. The New International Version translation was used in making this quiz. 2:14-15 -Rev. Goodbye hardship and heaviness. We have a purpose for being here—to refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. Titus 2:7. The seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 were congregations of the Church of God in the first century. It is true for us today also. The moment we resolve to stand strong and walk away is when temptation grows most intense. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. Our own “desires” entice us away from God and desire “gives birth to sin” (James 1:13–15). Though the letters are written to the seven churches in Asia Minor, there are considerable parallels to the churches in today’s church age. The party line was that if we are not faithful to Christ we will simply dry up and disappear. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human. God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. The visions John sees are of "things which are, and . Such is the picture David paints with his words in Psalm 32—a drought of spiritual vitality brought on by his own sin. The trip of a lifetime landed in my lap—visiting the Seven Churches of Revelation. Daniel’s three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). It was also known for its medical school and costly fabrics. Print out both pages of this table. (�-��u��/΅�ed���vI� B�2�l�pQ>� J�~LO)�+�x9�P�Ψ�$a� E�x�)�B@u�tj~Pi��h�4�)R�K� 3� � e��5KT%���Q�Z�)5�t!����4vcN�QP�HJ��� It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. Hello Jesus! The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Knowing the challenges they were facing and how they were responding, He admonished them to repent of their mist… Is it the opposite of pride? So again we have a unity of Scripture. What we’re going to do today, is we are going to look at just an overview of Rev. 3:9 Rev. By devoting time each day to the study of God’s Word. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The problem with this view is that each of the seven churches describes issues that could fit the Church in any time in its history. Luke 6:12. 3:1 Rev. Temptation. (4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that … He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. He listed them in verses 7–10. E. M. Bounds, All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Psalm 32:4. Comparison Chart Š Letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation . @hB{����M��`���X2��uK��4{�l%P���E��̋($�REx���G�� �ŤTMu��O6�y��A�AP�&d��S�r*$d��(���I�C�`��͏���r�"TY�1�G���`�B ��L�u����25�F��AD����*�[+b�(�2�RKg��%u�h�_L� �1�a(L�����{pm�;��3�,fL! As Peter wrote, we look for a “new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). 3:17 100% Economic Leadership -Rev. There are several problems with this interpretation though. We have noted already that John wasn’t writing to individual believers, but to churches that were characterized by sin problems. He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). If you don’t feel passionate about your Christian life, why not? They can be read with four levels of application. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). He wasn’t discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. Integrity of heart is indispensable. In his vision of the future, the apostle John saw that “new heaven and a new earth,” our new domain being pictured as the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:1-2). Revelation 21:1. In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves “soberly”—that is, realistically or accurately. . (3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16). Once the apocalyptic … We serve the same God who said: “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. This Revelation Timeline Decoded Bible study will show you how the 7 churches of Revelation represent seven Church eras that have spanned throughout history, and end when the Lord returns.. We should neither overestimate the gift of God’s grace or underestimate it. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). In the second century A.D., Rome martyred Polycarp, its bishop. to, and the seven churches in Revelation have a connection with the beginning and with the ending, but we will see also that the solution to the problems of the churches in Rev.
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