THE SEVEN CHURCHES REVELATION 2 3 TIMELESS TRUTHS

THE SEVEN CHURCHES REVELATION 2 & 3 TIMELESS TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH o o Revelation Overview Church 1 - Ephesus Church 2 - Smyrna Church 3 - Pergamon o o Church 4 - Thyatira Church 5 - Sardis Church 6 - Philadelphia Church 7 – Laodicea LESSONS BY: CONNECTSDA. ORG

Pergamos “The Compromising Church ” Revelation 2: 12 -17

OBJECTIVES • Engage • Pergamos, “the compromising church. ” • Connect • Announcements: Worship Night • Spotlight: First Time Visitors / Testimonies • Series: The Seven Churches • Lead: JM presents Pergamos, “The Compromising Church”

DEFINITIONS • What is a compromise? • Are compromises good or bad? • In what area of life should one seek compromises? • In what area of life one should NOT seek compromises? • How to decide when and when not to compromise?

WORD STUDY: COMPROMISE • early 15 c. , "a joint promise to abide by an arbiter's decision, " from Old French compromis (13 c. ), from Late Latin compromissus, past participle of compromittere "to make a mutual promise" (to abide by the arbiter's decision), from com "with, together" (see com-) + promittere "to send forth; let go; foretell; assure beforehand, promise, " from pro "before" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward, " hence "in front of, before") + mittere "to release, let go; send, throw" (see mission). • The sense of "a coming to terms, a settlement of differences by mutual concessions" (mid-15 c. ) is from extension to the settlement itself. The meaning "that which results from such an agreement" is from 1510 s.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE AREAS OF MUTUAL CONCESSIONS DO WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH? • False teaching • Twisting the truth • “can’t we all just get along? ” • Leaders as Cheerleaders vs coaches • Pulpit for encouragement and not conviction • Purity and holiness • God’s standard vs women’s standard

READING OF REVELATION 2: 12 -17

STEPS TO BIBLICAL EXEGESIS Step 1: Determine what the text meant when it was written Interpreter must to get know Readers -social setting -concerns Explore the text -linguistic -literary -historical -geographical -religious -philosophical -culture contexts Step 2: Ask what the text means for the reader of today Principle of interpretation: A timely message then becomes God’s timeless message applicable to any place today. 2 Peter 1: 19

THE FORMAT OF THE SEVEN MESSAGES 1. Identifies church by 3. Jesus’ spiritual 5. Church is urged to hear name “to the messenger of the church in West Houston SDA write” appraisal of the church. what the Spirit says the churches. “I know your works…” 2. Identifies the 4. Appraisal to speaker counsel “What Christ says to those 7 local congregations in the 1 st century is what the Holy Spirit says to the Universal church and individual Christians everywhere and in every time. ” (p 83) Provides brief description of Jesus as the sender of the message Repent vs Remain faithful 6. Message concludes with a word of promise to the overcomer.

PERGAMOS: THE COMPROMISED CHURCH REV 2: 12 - 17 Group 1 v 2: 12 Pergamos What was Pergamos like? (their Gods, industries, wealth, demographics, architecture) https: //youtu. be/Hr. Z MEJvi. Tk 0 Group 2 v 2: 13 Satan’s throne Means what? Group 3 v 2: 14 Balaam Refer to Num. 2225 Review the story. In what way did traditional Roman religion tempt the Christian church to compromise? Group 4 v 2: 15 Nicolaitans Who were they? What were their practices? And how did they influence Christians? Group 5 V 2: 17 hidden manna (Ex 16: 136) and white stone.

PERGAMOS: THE COMPROMISED CHURCH REV 2: 12 - 17 Group 1 v 2: 12 Pergamos Located 50 miles north of Smyrna. Built on 1, 000 foot cone-shaped hill. May represent the church’s compromise with the world following Diocletian’s persecutions (AD 303 -313). Twoedged sword Group 2 v 2: 13 Satan’s throne Pergamos was famous for its Great Altar of Zeus. This expression probably refers to the altar of Zeus, which is now located in Berlin museum. Group 3 v 2: 14 Balaam Refer to Num. 2225 Traditional Roman religion centered on idolatry and sexual immorality. Christians were tempted in these areas. Group 4 Group 5 v 2: 15 Nicolaitans How did they influence Christians? What are Nicolaitans counterparts today? V 2: 17 hidden manna and white stone. Manna as a memorial. White stone indicated a judge’s legal acquittal or pardon.

WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN TO READERS TODAY? V 2: 14 Balaam V 2: 15 Nicolaitans Is there immorality and/or sexual sins in our church today? Are there agents of false doctrines / false teachers influencing our SDA institutions at large? At West Houston SDA? What is our stance on LGBTQ movement?

CLOSING THOUGHTS “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him/her who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who • v 17

THE SEVEN CHURCHES REVELATION 2 & 3 TIMELESS TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH o o Revelation Overview Church 1 - Ephesus Church 2 - Smyrna Church 3 - Pergamon o o Church 4 - Thyatira Church 5 - Sardis Church 6 - Philadelphia Church 7 – Laodicea LESSONS BY: CONNECTSDA. ORG