Revelation Chapters 2 & 3‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapters 2 & 3
 
This week we will investigate chapters 2 & 3 in what Jesus Christ has in store for His "church" of believers. These chapters represent messages to "seven churches" that were alive and active during the first century in the area of Asia Minor – modern-day Turkey and are representative of the seven churches throughout history:

The church at Ephesus – 2:7 (30 A.D – 95 A.D. ~ “Legalistic”)
The church at Smyrna – 2:11 (95 A.D. – 312 A.D. ~ “Persecuted”)
The church at Pergamum – 2:17 (312 A.D. – 590 A.D. ~ “Liberal”)
The church at Thyatira – 2:26-28 (590 A.D. – 1517 A.D. ~ “Pagan”)
The church at Sardis – 3:5 (1517 A.D. – 1750 A.D. ~ “Dead”)
The church at Philadelphia – 3:12 (1750 A.D. – 1925 A.D. ~ “Alive”)
The church at Laodicea – 3:21 (1925 A.D. – Present ~ “Apathetic”)

The Apostle John – the last surviving Apostle and an old man – was the pastor of the church in Ephesus and had a close relationship with the other six churches, most likely as a visiting minister on a regular basis. While on the small, barren island of Patmos located in the Aegean Sea, John was sent there by the Roman authorities as a prisoner for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John received these messages from Jesus Christ – via an angel – to give to those churches. These Seven Churches had begun to feel the effects of persecution and at least one man named Antipas – probably a pastor – had already been martyred (2:13) and John himself having been exiled. But the storm of persecution was about to break out in a full-fledged furious assault upon these Seven Churches that were so dear to the Apostle’s heart (2:10).

The churches are continually warned about sin and exhorted to holiness. John’s vivid picture of worship in heaven both exhort and instruct true believers. To these churches – as well Christians today – I believe the book of Revelation also provides a blessed message of sovereign and eternal hope. Here are my thoughts of encouragement:

God is in sovereign control of all events of human history and providentially rules over the kingdoms of men. Although evil often seems pervasive and wicked men appear to be all powerful, their ultimate doom is quite certain. He will accomplish His sovereign purposes regardless of human or demonic oppression. Jesus Christ will return to earth one day in glory to judge, rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords!

It will be a great benefit to you – as it is for me – to invest some time in reading and studying these seven messages to these Seven Churches – Thank you Lord Jesus!

In few other books of the Bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. You will notice there are similarities between the messages to the Seven Churches. Each letter is written to the "angel of the church". This reference could be alluding to the “leader” of each of the churches. However, it is interesting to note that this is the Greek word "angelos" – meaning angel. The Scriptures nowhere support the worship or veneration of angels – as they were also created by the Lord:

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind – Colossians 2:18 –

However, it is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul seems to reveal that there are "angels" in attendance at each church/fellowship meeting:

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels – 1 Corinthians 11:10

At the beginning of each of the seven messages we find there is a characteristic of Jesus Christ revealed. Each of the letters reminds the church that the Lord Jesus knows of their works. John records the messages from the Lord to "those that are overcomers” which are those who know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior:

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? – 1 John 5:4-5

There is also the common phrase in each letter – "he who has an ear, let him hear..." This means that we are to pay attention to what is being said! The Lord Jesus promised victory to the "overcomers" of each church. This promised victory is also for us today and will be given to us during the 1000-year Millennial "Kingdom to come" – when the Lord Jesus Christ physically returns to earth with His Raptured Church.

All seven messages are applicable for each of us as believers as well as the promises. In the letter to Ephesus – to those "overcomers" – it is also promised that they shall eat of the "tree of life"

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 – Revelation 2:7

There are several thoughts that we must consider. First, we will all eat of the "tree of life" during that 1,000-year period as Jesus Christ sits upon His throne in Jerusalem – The Millennial Kingdom. This helps us to understand how those with physical bodies who go through the Tribulation Period – having then become believers – will live for those 1,000 years. They will be eating daily of the "tree of life"

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” – Genesis 3:22

Please note that this "tree of life" found in the Genesis account is different than the one in the "New Jerusalem" described in Chapter 22 of Revelation:

In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations – Revelation 22:2

The "tree of life" in Revelation chapter 22 is located in the "earthly Jerusalem" – in the "paradise of God" which is the Garden of Eden – as it was 6,000 years ago. The Garden of Eden was – and is today – the location of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem!

It is important to note that the churches at Philadelphia and Smyrna were the only two churches of the Seven Churches that received no condemnation from the Lord. Revelation Chapter 3 also has a great promise to those of us who are Christians and are awaiting the coming Rapture of the Jesus Christ’s church. Notice verse 10:

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth – Revelation 3:10

NOTE: It is my personal belief that the Lord Jesus promises those of us who are saved prior to the Rapture that He will take us up to be with Him before the time of terrible judgment begins – The Great Tribulation. This will include the Christians who are “dead in Christ” – believers who have died prior to the Rapture. 

The promise from Jesus Christ in verse 10 is that He will "keep you from the hour of trial." Notice He did not say that He would take us out of that time of terrible judgment but that He would "keep us from” that time. That promise alone is worth the entire letter! Although I cannot be dogmatic about this view point, this passage does indeed seem to say that the Rapture of the Church comes before the Great Tribulation – a “Pre-trib” Rapture. When interpreting the Bible in its literal, historical and grammatical context, this is the best view. There are several other New Testament Scriptures that support this point of promise.

We will further address this controversial and important topic in greater detail next week during our study of Revelation chapter 4. This is an exciting point of Biblical investigation!  

In closing, please notice just one more great thought… John exhorts us by quoting Jesus Christ who tells us He is coming "quickly"

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown – Revelation 3:11

The Rapture will be quick – in the twinkling of an eye!

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Therefore, we should live in such a way that no one can take away the "crown(s)" that the Lord Jesus Christ will give to us during the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers...

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad – 2 Corinthians 5:10

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 4 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)