LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Seven Principles Christ

  • Slides: 62
Download presentation

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Seven Principles • Christ knows every Christian • Christ

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Seven Principles • Christ knows every Christian • Christ wants churches to guard their teaching • Christ wants Christians to grow in service • Christ wants Christians to live in purity

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Seven Principles • Christ wants Christians to be ready

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Seven Principles • Christ wants Christians to be ready for persecution • Christ wants Christians to know they can be lost • Christ will richly reward Christians who overcome

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Guard the Teaching • Ephesus - tried those claiming

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Guard the Teaching • Ephesus - tried those claiming to be apostles & found them to be false • Pergamum - allowed teaching to eat meat offered to idols and acts of immorality • Thyatira - allowed prophetess Jezebel and teaching to eat meat offered to idols and acts of immorality

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Guard the Teaching • Sardis - remember what they

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Guard the Teaching • Sardis - remember what they had received and keep it • Philadelphia - praised for keeping Christ’s word

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Grow in Service • Ephesus - Left first love

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Grow in Service • Ephesus - Left first love (2: 4) • Thyatira - Last more than first (2: 19) • Sardis - dead, nothing finished (3: 1) • Philadelphia - door opened (3: 8) • Laodicea - lukewarm (3: 15)

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Can Be Lost • Ephesus - Repent and do

LESSON FROM THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS Can Be Lost • Ephesus - Repent and do deeds (2: 4) • Smyrna - Faithful unto death (2: 10) • Pergamum - Repent or else (2: 16) • Thyatira - Repent of her deeds (2: 22) • Sardis - repent, not erase from book of life (3: 3) • Philadelphia - Hold fast (3: 11) • Laodicea - Spew out of mouth (3: 16)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus Political

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus Political and economic background n Foremost city in Asia Minor n Approximately 250, 000 in population n Large trading center – three main roads brought trade n Free city n Panionian games

CITY OF EPHESUS

CITY OF EPHESUS

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus Religiously

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus Religiously n Temple n One of Diana (Artemis) of the seven wonders of the world n Larger than Pantheon n About 360 feet long n Stood during John’s time

TEMPLE OF ARTIMIS

TEMPLE OF ARTIMIS

STATUE OF ARTIMIS

STATUE OF ARTIMIS

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus New

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n City – of Ephesus New Testament background n Paul visited on 3 rd missionary journey n Left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus n They taught Apollos n Paul stayed two years n Gospel spread throughout Asia Minor (Acts 19: 10) n Paul had a close relationship with Christian leaders their (20: 17 -38)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Description of speaker (1) –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Description of speaker (1) – Refers back to Son of Man in 1: 1216) – Seven stars = seven angels of the churches – Churches futures are under Christ’s control

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus 2: 1 -7 n Ephesus – church good works

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus 2: 1 -7 n Ephesus – church good works (2 -3, 6) Know – Christ has complete knowledge of their situation n. Deeds n. Toils n. Perseverance

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus – church good works

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus – church good works (2 -3, 6) Cannot endure evil men n. Test those who call themselves apostles and are not – Perseverance = patient endurance n. Accepting hardships but continuing n. Endured for Christ’s sake n. Not grown weary

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus church good works (2

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus church good works (2 -3, 6) Hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (2: 6) – Nicolaitans = nikos and laos meaning conqueror of the people –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Several opinions Nicolaitans Followers of

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Several opinions Nicolaitans Followers of Nicolas of Antioch One of the original deacons of Acts 6: 5 – Jewish proselyte who fell into apostasy – A sect that lived a life of immorality based on misinterpretation of statements by Nicolas – Gnostic group – Christians who identified with the emperor by burning incense to him – –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus – – Left their

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Ephesus – – Left their first love Love of God Love for one another Love for the lost n Four – – church problems (4 -5) R for the Ephesians Remember - Where they had fallen from Repent - Return to following Christ Repeat - Do the deeds they first did Remove - Lampstand removed by Christ if they do not repent

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Encouragement – Encouragement for people

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Ephesus (2: 1 -7) n Encouragement – Encouragement for people to listen n Broader n From – (7) than just Ephesus the Spirit The one who overcome n Granted n In to eat of the tree of life the Paradise of God

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n City – of Smyrna Political

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n City – of Smyrna Political and economic background n About 40 miles north of Ephesus, western side of Aegean Sea, population of about 200, 000 n Very good harbor with trade up the valley of the Hermus River & large paved streets n Largest public theater n Third largest library after Alexandria and Pergumum & birth place of Poet Homer

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n City – – of Smyrna

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n City – – of Smyrna - Religiously Temples to the gods lined paved roads Temple of Cybele Temple of Asclepius & goddess Aphrodite Emperor worship

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Emperor – – – worship

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Emperor – – – worship Used to unify the conquered people Dea Roma – goddess of Rome Caesar came to represent Rome Prior to Caligula emperors were deified after death only Caligula was the first to declare himself as god Domitian continued the tradition by claiming to be god in the flesh

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Requirements – – of emperor

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Requirements – – of emperor worship Every citizen was required to put incense on the altar and declare Caesar is Lord. Receive a token to evidence their participation in the ceremony Christians would often refuse to participate Some Christians began to use “mental reservation” as an excuse for offering incense

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Jewish – – support for

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Jewish – – support for persecution Informed on Christians to the Romans Polycarp (Bishop of Smyrna) was martyred

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n New Testament background Not mention

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n New Testament background Not mention elsewhere n Description of speaker (8) – – – Description gives hope under persecution Was dead has come to life

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Tribulation – – as Christians

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Tribulation – – as Christians (9) Tribulation – (thlipsis) pressure brought to bear upon someone from without Used in a variety of ways n Calamities of war n Distress of a woman in childbirth n Persecution of Christians n Problems for non-Christians

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Poor but rich – Poor

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Poor but rich – Poor n Penia – person who could not afford beyond the necessities n Ptoches – person who could not afford even the necessities, John uses ptoches here – Rich n In – Christ, will receive a crown (10) Reason for poverty n Blacklisted if they did not have the token for offering incense to Caesar.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Blasphemy – – of the

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Blasphemy – – of the synagogue of Satan In N. T. there are examples of Jews speaking against the early Christians Various types are noted in history n Cannibalism n Immorality n Breaking up of homes n Atheism n Political disloyalty n Incendiarism

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Problems – – of Smyrna

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Problems – – of Smyrna None pointed out by Christ Only one other church where no problems are mention - Philadelphia

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouragement – through suffering (10

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouragement – through suffering (10 -11) More suffering to come n Satan to cast them into prison (leads to execution for faithful) n Be tested n Tribulation for 10 days Symbolic – Short time – Human completeness doubled – Means will difficult but for a short time –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouraged – to be faithful

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouraged – to be faithful unto death Be faithful which will lead to death n Given a crown of life n Diadema – crown of royalty n Stephanos – Victory crown at competitions (used here) n Festival crown at weddings and other feasts n Laural crowns for faithful civic duty

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouraged – to be faithful

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Smyrna (2: 8 -11) n Encouraged – to be faithful unto death The one who overcomes n Not hurt by the second death n Second death – Rev. 20: 6 – death & Hades thrown into lake of fire

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – of Pergamum Political

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – of Pergamum Political and economic background n Forty miles north of Ephesus, 15 miles inland to Caicus valley n Commercially, not as great as Ephesus or Smyrna n Bequeathed to the Roman Empire in 133 B. C. n Second largest library in the Ancient world after Alexandria (200, 000 volumes). n Center for intellectual pursuits.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – – – of

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – – – of Pergamum - Religion Site of the first temple erected to Caesar, Augustus in 29 B. C. Trajan later had a temple built here. Temples to Asklepios – god of healing n Serpent was the symbol of Asklepios n Coins from that period have the symbol n Show the connection between politics and religion in that era n Called “the savior” = Zeus, Dionysius, Athena

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – of Pergamum New

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n City – of Pergamum New Testament background n. Only place mentioned n Description – of speaker (12) One who has the sharp two edged sword n Word

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Good – – works of

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Good – – works of Pergamum (13) Hold fast Christ’s name Did not deny the faith in the days of Antipas n Unknown person n Called Christ’s witness and faithful one n Could have been a time of persecution they had gone through earlier. n Tradition says Antipas was roasted alive inside a brazen bull.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Good – works of Pergamum

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Good – works of Pergamum (13) Hold fast Christ’s name n Satan’s – throne Imply position of power n Several views of the meaning Alter of Zeus that sat on the acropolis – Temple of Askelepios – Home of satanic spirits of persecution – Figurative for power & influence of Satan – Worst of all the cities – Caesar worship was very strong –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Problems – of Pergamum (14

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Problems – of Pergamum (14 -15) Balaam (see Nu. 22 -25) n Balak would arrange to lead the Israelites into immorality after failing to have them cursed. – Eating things offered to idol (see 1 Cor. 10: 18 -22) n Usually means participation in pagan worship n Immorality – usually a part of pagan worship n Some who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. – Compromise with the world a big problem then and now.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Encouragement – of Pergamum (16

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Encouragement – of Pergamum (16 -17) Repent - Tolerated sin in their midst (Balaam) n The one who overcomes receives: – Hidden manna (Spiritual food/strength) – White stone n Symbolized innocence n Given to someone acquitted of a crime n Given to a slave granted freedom n Victor in a race or triumphant soldier n Admission to a banquet

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Encouragement n The – of

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Pergumum (2: 12 -17) n Encouragement n The – of Pergamum (16 -17) one who overcomes receives: New name n One who receives it will be the only one who knows it – Various views n Christ, as the most powerful that people refuse to recognize now n Believers new name or changed character n Victorious Christ himself

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Political & economic background Forty

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Political & economic background Forty miles southeast of Pergamum – Well know for manufacturing of cloth – n. Weaving n. Dyeing n. Making – garments Center for trade guilds

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Religious – – – Background

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Religious – – – Background Religion associated with trade guilds Each guild had its own god To be a part of a guild could often include pagan worship n Cup of wine poured out in honor of the god. n Meal eaten from what was offered to the god. n Sexual rituals for fertility – Not participating would hinder people from making a living.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n New – Testament background Lydia

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n New – Testament background Lydia the seller of purple at Philippi (Acts 16: 14). n Description – Son of God n Direct – – of speaker (18) identification is made Eyes like a flame Feet of burnished bronze n Strength and splendor

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Good works of Thyatira (19)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Good works of Thyatira (19) – Know your deeds (Greater than the first) – Deeds of love – Deeds of faith – Deeds of service – Deeds of perseverance

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20 -23) Tolerate the woman Jezebel n Background found in 1 Kg. 16: 29 -34; 18: 1 -6 & 2 Kg. 9: 1 -8 n Calls herself a prophetess n Teaches and leads Christ’s bond-servants astray n Commit acts of immorality n Eat things sacrificed to idols

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20 -23) Views of Jezebel n Not a particular women but a tendency of some of the members in the church to compromise their faith and participate in pagan activities. n Actual women considered to be a prophetess by some and leading some of the members astray with false teaching

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Problems – of Thyatira (20 -23) Fate of Jezebel and her followers n Great tribulation if they do not repent n Bed of sickness n For those who commit adultery with her n Her children killed with pestilence

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Encouragement – (24 -29) Those

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Thyatira (2: 18 -29) n Encouragement – (24 -29) Those who do not hold to the teachings of Jezebel n Those who do not know the deep things of Satan & hold fast until Jesus comes – The ones who overcome n Keeps Jesus’ deeds until He comes n Receives authority over the nations & rule with an iron rod n Receive authority as Christ did from God n Receive the morning star, Christ (Rev. 22: 16)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Political – – & economic

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Political – – & economic background Had been ancient capital of Lydia Declining during this time period Center of a thriving woolen industry Known for its decadence and luxury n Religiously – – – Major religion - goddess Cybele (Artimis) Fourth largest building in ancient times Large Jewish synagogue (A. D. 200) n New – Testament background Not mentioned elsewhere in N. T.

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n New – Testament background Not

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n New – Testament background Not mentioned elsewhere in N. T. n Description of speaker (1 a) – Has seven spirits – Has seven stars

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Problems of Sardis (1 b-2)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Problems of Sardis (1 b-2) – Name they are alive but are dead – Strengthen the things that remain – Deeds not completed n Reputation of being alive possibly well known church n Possibly known for her wealth n Materialistic outlook n Told to wake up because there were things remaining to make their faith stronger n In God’s sight

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – (3 -6) Remember

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – (3 -6) Remember n What they have received and heard n Keep what they have received – – Repent Return n Christ will come like a thief n Some times used for second coming (1 Thess. 5: 2; 2 Pet. 3: 10) n Judgement is in mind here

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – Those who have

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – Those who have not soiled their garments n Few had remained faithful n Walk with Jesus in white as worthy – Those who overcome n Clothed in white garments (white = purity) n White garment worn by victorious contestants - seven times in Revelation (Rev. 3: 6, 18; 4: 4; 6: 11; 7: 9, 13; 19: 14)

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – Those who overcome

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Sardis (3: 1 -6) n Encouragement – Those who overcome n Name not erased from the book of life n Christ will confess his name before his Father and His angels – See Mt. 10: 32

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n Political and economic background –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n Political and economic background – City of brotherly love Known as the gateway to the east Founded 150 years before Christ Volcanic plains, fertile land for vineyards Prosperous city Rebuilt after destroyed by earthquake in AD 17 Springs for medicinal water – – History of a strong Jewish opposition Ignatius mentions Jews in letter to the church – – – n Religiously

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n New Testament background – Not

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n New Testament background – Not mentioned elsewhere in the N. T. – Only one not associated with Son of Man in chapter 1 Holy & True n Description – n Two – – of speaker words for true Alethes = true as opposed to false Alethinos = genuine compared to counterfeit n Alethinos here meaning Jesus is genuine – Has the keys of David – Jesus gives access to heaven (see Jn 14: 6) n see Isa. 22: 22 Eliakim had keys to palace

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n Encouragement to Philadelphia – Opposition

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Philadelphia (3: 7 -13) n Encouragement to Philadelphia – Opposition from the synagogue of Satan – – Kept from hour of testing due to faithfulness Hold fast to what they have – Pillars in the temple of God – – – Write on him the name of God Write the name of the city of God Write my new name (belong to God) n Those of synagogue will bow down who overcome n Permanent resident

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Political – – – –

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Political – – – – and economic background Two other cities in Lycus valley (Hierapolis and Colossae) Founded in 3 rd century B. C. by Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice Famous as a resort of medicinal springs Famous for it Phrygian eye salve Large black wool industry Banking center Very wealthy and proud of it n Earthquake in A. D. 60 & rebuilt without help n Reason for Revelation not written during Nero

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Religious – – Zeus was

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Religious – – Zeus was the patron deity Other temples included: n Apollo n Asclepius n Hades n Hera n Athena n Serapis n New – – background Testament background Mention by Paul in Colossian letter Colossians told to read letter to Laodiceans

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Description – – – The

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Description – – – The amen - meaning absolutely true Faithful and true witness The beginning (source or origin) of the creation of God. n Problems – – of speaker at Laodicea No words of praise Christ knows their deeds Neither hot nor cold Say they are rich and need nothing but really they are wretched and poor

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Encouragement – Look to Christ

7 CHURCHES OF ASIA Laodicea (3: 14 -22) n Encouragement – Look to Christ for true riches – God’s love means he corrects & disciplines – Called to repent n Fine white robes (compared n Spiritual eye salve to black wool) n Phileo n Christ is at the door waiting n Calls for them to open the doors of their hearts n The one who repents will sit down with Jesus at his throne (see also 2 Timothy 2: 11 -12)