Revelation 1:3 (NET) Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!
Revelation 2-3 speaks of the seven churches. These seven churches are not physical buildings, of gathering of people, but speaks of them – the church – Eclesia — THE CALLED OUT ONES.
We will examine these seven churches and their characteristics – the characteristics of them as a people, as an individual, as a “called out one”. they have been chosen by God and redeemed by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ; and I have been sent to deliver His Word to you.
The seven churches “Spiritual Character Types” mentioned in the book of Revelation, Chapters 2-3 are:
1. Ephesus
2. Smyrna
3. Pergamum
4. Thyatira
5. Sardis
6. Philadelphia
7. Laodicea
As they read, learn and discuss these characteristics let’s examine ourselves and identify those characteristics. The time of Christ’s coming is near although no one knows the day or time, or hour when his feet will land on the Mount of Olives, they must be ready. Know that Jesus LOVES US, He LOVES YOU. they have been born and called for such a time as this!
Know that as I minister these words to you I am also ministering to myself – none of them is perfect. they ALL have sinned and fallen short of the mark. they all have work to do to come in line with the command and requirement to be set apart – to be holy, for the purpose of the mission and purpose of our calling to serve the Holy One.
It is important that they have an understanding and discernment of our spiritual flaws, then, they can deal with it by confessing our sins and receiving the deliverance form our evil inclination because of the cleansing blood sacrifice of the flawless lamb, Jesus Christ, that was slain for the remission of our sins.
For those of them who have accepted Christ as our savior they must continue to examine and recalibrate our Christian walk. For those who have not accepted Christ THIS is the opportunity to do so now. NOW is the time. At the end of my message they will all have an opportunity to present ourselves to the Throne of Christ, to confess our sins, and to accept The Lord Jesus Christ as our salvation, our Yeshua.
Ephesus:
Rev 2:2 (NET): I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.
Rev 2:3 (NET): I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.
· Hardworking
· Perseverance
· Intolerable to wicked people
· Discerns false apostles (messenger)
· Hated the Nicoliatians – which Christ also hated
o The Nicoliatians were known to conquer and oppress people
o They mixed the occult, paganism, and Christianity
o They taught the Doctrine of Compromise – implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential
· They have forsaken their first love. What/who is their first love?
The first love which characterized the Ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved Christ because He first loved them (1 John 4:19) and that it was, in fact, His love for them that had made them “alive together with Christ.”
So overwhelmed were they by the joy that came from understanding their former state—dead in trespasses and sins—and their new life in Christ, that they exhibited the fruit of that joy (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Because of God’s great love for the Ephesians, they were “made alive in Christ” and that new life was exhibited in the passion of gratitude. That passion for the Savior spilled over onto one another and out to those in the culture they inhabited, corrupt as it was.
Surrounded by paganism and false teachers, the Ephesian church would have had ample opportunity to correct false doctrine and confront heretical teachers. If they did so for any reason other than love for Christ and a passion for His truth, however, they would have lost their way. Instead of pursuing Christ with the devotion they once showed, much like a bride who follows her groom “through the desert” (Jeremiah 2:2), the Ephesians were in danger of falling away from Christ completely. This is why He warns those who have “ears to hear” to prove the reality of their salvation by returning to Him and rekindling the love that had begun to cool. No doubt there were among the Ephesians those whose profession was false and whose hearing had become dulled. He warns the rest not to follow them, but to repent and return to Him with the passion they once had for Him.
When they allow sin and compromise to be in our lives it drains away the work of the cross and puts a “separation” between them and God. Our first love is the love Christ gives them for God and each other. they should be zealous for the truth, but that zeal should be tempered so that they are always “speaking the truth in love, they will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
Christ calls them to REPENT – to change our minds – to turn from sin and turn to God AND to accept his forgiveness.
Smyrna: Rev 2:9 (NET) I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
· God sees and knows our afflictions and poverty – lack of financial independence and security.
· Christ said although they may be challenged in these areas (lack and poverty) they are RICH! How is that? they are abounding in Christian virtues eternal possessions.
· Do NOT be afraid about suffering.
Pergamum: Rev 2:13 (NET): I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives.
· They have remained true to The Lord’s name although they live where “Satan has his throne”
· Even though they are surrounded by evil they have not renounced faith in Christ in the midst of persecution
· The problem Christ has with them is that they hold on to the teachings of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolatians
o Teaching of Balaam: Who was Balaam? He was a prophet with the TRUE gift of prophesy although he was an adversary of The Lord and an enemy of the children of Israel. He was a prophet who worked for money. His preaching and teaching became a job. He taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. Balaam attempted to manipulate The Lord for his own twisted purposes. He abused his spiritual gifts.
o Teaching of Nicolatians: Conquering and subdueing the people and turning the service of The Lord into a commercial venture. The teachings of mixing idolatry with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
· Christ again commands them to REPENT
· Christ also makes them a PROMISE – “to him that overcometh, to him I will give of hidden manna, a white stone with a new name”
o The “manna” upon which Christians presently feed has been given to properly prepare and equip them for the wilderness journey, and the “hidden manna” can only be a parallel provision for things beyond the wilderness journey. The overcomers will be allowed to partake of the hidden manna to properly prepare and equip them as they rule and reign in the kingdom. The provision is “manna” now and “hidden manna” yet future, both given to equip Christians during particular periods for particular areas of service.
o During the days in which the book of Revelation was written, and days prior to that time, giving one a white stone meant that the person had been charged with some offense but had been acquitted; he had been shown as justified. Since works alone will be reviewed at the judgment seat, justification shown by the white stone must emanate out of a judgment of works. Justification on the basis of Christ’s finished work at Calvary cannot be in view at all, for overcomers and non-overcomers alike would receive such a stone if that were the case. A white stone will be given to every Christian whose works endure the fire, revealing justification on the basis of that coming under judgment — works emanating out of faithfulness
o A white stone was also given to the victor in a contest or battle, which is exactly what is in view through overcoming. Christians are presently in a battle, a warfare, against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world [‘age’], against spiritual wickedness in high places [‘against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenlies’]” (Ephesians 6:12). And Satan and his angels use the world and the flesh in their never-ceasing efforts to bring about a Christian’s defeat. It is the victor — the one overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil — that the promised white stone will be given.
o The white stone will identify the overcomer as the one shown justified, victorious in conquest, and elevated to noble rank.
§ Joseph, because of his faithfulness to God, was, through divine providence, brought into a position of such favor with Pharaoh that he found himself exalted to the throne. Pharaoh took his own ring and “put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” He then positioned him as “ruler over all the land of Egypt,” and bestowed upon him a new name — “Zaphnath-paaneah” (Genesis 41:39-45).
Thyatira: Rev 2:19 (NET) I know your deeds: your love, faith, service, and steadfast endurance. In fact, your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones.
· God knows the works, in fact, their works get greater and greater over time.
· God knows their love and faith, and ministry, and patience.
· They tolerate the Jezebel spirit.
o Single-minded determination to have one’s way, no matter who is destroyed in the process,
o Sexual immorality and idol worship
God has given them time to repent BUT they will not repent of fornication. they must repent.
God gives a promise: “He that overcomes and keeps God’s works until the end shall have authority over nations”
Sardis: Rev 3:1 (NET) To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead.
· Works are known by God
· Known to be “Alive”, i.e. active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God, BUT they are DEAD – destitute of force of power, inactive, and inoperative
· God wants them to WAKE UP! – take heed, give strict attention to, and be vigilant
· Strengthen and establish the remnant
· Repent!
La’odicea: Rev 3:15 (NET) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot!
· God knows their works
· They are neither Hot nor cold – CHOOSE ONE!
· Because they are lukewarm God will spew them out of His mouth
What’s required?
· Come to Christ!
· Have Christ purge and purify you by holy fire – refined as gold
· Let Christ cover your shame
· Ask Christ to open your eyes so that you can see – discern – to have the power of understanding
Philadelphia: Rev 3:8 (NET) I know your deeds. (Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut.) I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name.
· God knows our works
· He has set before them an open door which no one is able to shut
· We have kept God’s Word and have not denied His name
· God will make our enemies (those in the Synagogue of Satan) to bow down before our feet and they will know/learn that God loves us.
o Synagogue of Satan: those who assemble and are joined together to incite apostasy from God and to sin. They are the worshipers of idols. They are able to take possession of men and infect them with diseases
God’s promise: Do NOT be afraid. God is with us! Christ says that “He who conquers/OVERCOMES I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Christ will also write on them the name of God and the name of the City of God, the New Jerusalem.”
OVERCOME: Of Christ, victorious over all his foes – to prevail, to win the case over your accuser, over your enemy – to get the victory!
THE NAME: Rank and authority – which covers everything
Christ is standing at the door of our heart knocking – if you hear, open the door and let Him in. Receive salvation. Give Christ an opportunity to rescue you, to give you life everlasting.
He who overcomes Christ will commission/ grant him to sit with (appoint, to confer a kingdom on one) Him on His throne (kingly power or royalty, a partner with Christ, and an assistant in the divine administration).
We are overcomers, conquerors through Christ Jesus! Yeshua!
He who has an ear let him hear.
Table: Our Spiritual Condition
| “Called Out Ones” Spiritual Condition | Traits | What God has Against Them | Action Required | Christ’s Promise to Overcomers |
| Ephesus | Hardworking, intolerable of wicked people, discern false apostles and prophets, hated idolaters | Forsaken their first love | Repent | |
| Smyrna | Suffered physical affliction and poverty but spiritually rich | The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death | ||
| Pergamum | Remained true to the Lord’s name and did not renounce faith in Christ in the midst of persecution | Held on to the teachings of Balaam and Nicolatians – abusing their spiritual gifts, commercializing the Gospel, and mixing idolatry with the Gospel | Repent | They will be given the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name Hidden Manna: to properly prepare and equip them as they rule and reign in the kingdom. White Stone: will identify the overcomer as the one shown justified, victorious in conquest, and elevated to noble rank |
| Thyatira | Does great works. Loves God, faithful, and patient | Tolerates the Jezebel spirit o Single-minded determination to have one’s way, no matter who is destroyed in the process, o Sexual immorality and idol worship | Repent | Given authority over nations |
| Sardis | Known to be “Alive” – blessed, active, endless in the Kingdom of God, but they are “Spiritually Dead” | Wake Up! Repent | ||
| Laodicea | Known for their works | They are neither hot nor cold. They are lukewarm | Choose one! Repent | |
| Philadelphia | Known for their works. Kept God’s Word and have not denied His name. | NOTHING | God will make their enemies to bow down at their feet. God will make them a pillar in His temple and write His name on them |
