Revelation 2:1-7

1. Intro.
1. the picture we see in Revelation 2 & 3 is amazing
1. they represent all churches, and yet all the churches are unpromising
2. they are spiritually strong churches, but they have some form of decay
3. we are imperfect, and the churches are full of spots and wrinkles
4. nevertheless, we belong to Christ, and He is in our midst
2. these seven churches were real churches, and many visit the ruins of these churches today
1. they still represent our churches today
2. their problems are our problems
3. Jesus’ exhortation to them apply equally to us today
3. there is a sense in which they depict stages of development and change in the churches throughout the centuries
1. the total and the sequence are both significant
2. the last four churches were to last until the return of Christ (2:25, 3:3, 11, 20)
3. this can only be true if they represent stages of church development until the end of the age
4. each letter is composed of seven parts
1. a greeting [unto the angel of the church at…]
2. identification of Christ as the sender [these things saith He that…]
3. an assertion of knowledge [I know thy works…]
4. exhortation
1. this is the core of the message to each assembly
2. commending them as well as rebuking them
3. none can relax as though they had attained all that Christ desires of them
5. a promise or threat of His coming
6. an admonition to heed [he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith…]
7. a promised blessing [to him that overcometh]
2. the church that had left its first love – 2:1-7
1. the Savior identified – 1
1. it points to something about the Savior that requires their special attention
2. He directs their attention to the fact that He holds the seven stars in His hand (pastors)
3. He directs their attention to the fact that He walks in the midst of the seven candlesticks (churches)
4. what was He trying to impress upon them
1. they were dependant on Him
2. He had the power to continue or remove the ministry
3. He had absolute control over the ministry
1. "walking" implies a constant and vigilant supervision
2. He is one who inspects and examines all that is under His care
4. it was by His presence only that those candlesticks could continue to give light
5. that they might do what was necessary to secure His continual presence among them
2. He commends them for the good characteristics in their lives –2-3
1. He emphasizes their zeal and steadfastness
2. "thy works"
1. these are the works of a believer, not works for salvation
2. we have been saved to work, we are not saved by works
3. "thy labour"
1. this word carries the meaning of weariness
2. they worked until they were weary
4. "thy patience"
1. under many trials
2. they had manifested a firm endurance against all those who had resisted the truth
5. "thou canst not bear them which are evil"
1. they had no tolerance for that which is evil
2. they had no sympathy for the teaching of unrighteousness, and made no compromises
6. "tried them which say they are apostles"
1. they were in the habit of testing the men that came to there assembly
2. they sought to maintain a pure ministry, and to uphold pure doctrine
3. it is especially stated that they rejected those that claimed to be apostles, and were not
1. innumerable people have been led away from God through the centuries by such false leaders
2. there is no successors to the apostles
3. the primary requirement for an apostle was that they had seen Christ
7. verse 3 restates what is said in verse 2, and it adds the reason for their actions [for my name sake]
8. this church characterizes the first 100 years of church history
3. there is a lot of good in this church, but Jesus also sees their faults – 4
1. they had lost their intense and enthusiastic devotion to the person of Christ
2. the early church got off track first in their personal relationship with Christ and not in doctrine
3. when home life and church life become a burden, then there is something wrong with our relationship with Christ
4. course of action to be taken by the church - 5 [remember… repent, and do…]
1. "remember"
1. someone has said that memory is a luxury that only good people can enjoy
2. Jesus wanted this church to remember where they had been, and compare it with their present situation
1. we should often call to mind what we use to be, and what we have become through the grace of God
2. we should remember what we use to be for Christ, and reflect on what we are right now
2. "repent"
1. Christians need to repent
2. repentance means to turn around, to change one’s mind and purpose, to turn back to God
3. many churches today need to repent, but that is not the message they want to hear
3. "do the first works"
1. to manifest the zeal and love that was once evident in their lives
1. read the Bible as they did back then
2. pray as they did back them
3. go forth and witness as they did back then
4. teach a class as they did back then
5. open their heart, purse, and hand to a dying world
2. this is the way they manifested their love back then
3. this is the best way to rekindle the flame of love that is almost extinguished
4. they weapon that is used will stay bright
5. the weapon that has become rusty will become bright again if it is used
5. consequences for failing to act – 5 [or else…]
1. Christ would come as Judge to execute the judgment that is specified
2. judge the state of your own heart, lest I am forced to judge you
3. the judgment: the church would cease to exist
4. the removal of the lampstand had nothing to do with a persons salvation, but the church as a whole
5. Christ is always watching His lamps
1. He does not mind trimming the wicks
2. He does not mind using the snuffer when they refuse to give light
6. more praise – 6
1. not all hated is wrong
2. both Jesus and the church hated the deeds, and not the people
3. what were the deeds of the Nicolaitans???????
1. Nicolaitans means to conquer the people
2. they could have been some of the false apostles spoken of in verse 2
3. a group of men who plagued the 1^st century church by falsely claiming divine authority
4. men who came into the church to usurp authority (to lord it over)
5. the idea that the clergy was somehow superior to the rest of the people
6. the very early stages of the Roman church (priest and laity)
7. a promised blessing – 7
1. for those with spiritual ears [he that hath an ear]
1. only those who desire to do God’s will can know God’s will
2. Jesus is speaking to those who have spiritual perception
3. all others do not care, or do not have an interest in the matter (can’t hear)
2. "let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches’
1. not what the church council says, nor a denominational headquarters, or the pope, or anybody else
2. when the Holy Spirit speaks, we should pay close attention
3. for the overcomer [to him that overcometh]
1. this refers to the genuine believer, who has overcome through the blood of the Lamb
2. it does not mean that we must overcome all sin or we lose our salvation
4. "to eat of the tree of life"
1. in the Garden, after the fall, man was forbidden to eat of this tree
2. in heaven the "no trespassing" sign will be taken down
5. "the paradise of God"
1. there is more to heaven than the streets of gold, it will be the most beautiful garden we have every seen
2. Christ will receive them that overcame through the blood to a world of happiness
3. He will permit us to eat of the fruit that grows there
4. we will rest in God’s garden that He has made for our enjoyment