07 July 26, 2015, Revelation 2 and 3, Let Them Hear

transcript

Revelation 2 and 3Let Them Hear

July 26, 2015First Baptist ChurchJackson, Mississippi

What’s the number one thing?

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The Glory of God!

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1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

July Memory Verse:

I John 1:7 NIV

“But if we walk in the light, as He is

in the light, we have fellowship with

one another, and the blood of

Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all

sin.”

Remember To Pray For TheCommittee On Committees

Kendall Smith, ChairmanBeth Aldridge, David Gibbs, Sherye Green, Mike Lowe,

Chris Maddux, Jim Merritt, Jr.,Elizabeth Rich, Eddy Waller

Men's Stories Every Tuesday, 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM All men are invited to a great lunch and devotion Hosted by Hal Warren -First Baptist Jackson's Missions and Evangelism Pastor.

Fellowship Hall East 11:15 a.m. - Lunch Line Begins 12:15 p.m. - Program Begins 12:50 p.m. - DismissRegular Line: $7.50Senior Adult: $6.00

Lite Line: $5.50

AN AFTERNOON AT THE REZFor young and median adults

and their families

PELAHATCHIE SHORE PARKSaturday, August 8, 2015

4:00-6:00 p.m.

Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks provided.

$3.00 per person.

Bring a covered dish, lawn chairs and blankets.

Entertainment:The Brandon Opry BandChildren’s activities

Tickets on sale today at the 2nd floor kiosk

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French Camp Academy

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We have three challenges that the Education Department has placed before us in 2015:

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1.) Memorize the monthly memory verses and know each month we are hiding God’s Word in our heart.

January verse: Romans 10:9 February verse: Ephesians 2:8-9

March verse: Romans 3:23 April verse: I Peter 1:3May verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7 June verse: Philippians 1:6

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2.) Share your faith with one person each month and build a relationship with them, so they will not only become a disciple – but a disciple maker themselves.

Luke 19:11-27

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3). Ask Sunday School class members to share how they have seen God at work during the week.

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Migdal Eder Tower of the Flock

Luke 2:11-12 NKJV11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Genesis 35:19-21 NKJV19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem – House of God). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.

21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Scholars interpret Micah 4:8 as a prophesy indicating that the Messiah would be revealed from the "tower of the flock" (Migdal Eder) which is connected with the town of Bethlehem, southeast of Jerusalem.

Micah 4:8 NLKV8 And you, O Migdal Eder (tower of the flock), the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Mishnaic sources (Jewish sacred writings) indicate that animals "found" (that were kept) in the fields within 5 miles of the Temple, were subject to being used as sacrificial animals.

The male sheep (Jesus) was a ‘burnt’ (sin) offering and the female was for a ‘peace’ offering and at birth they were wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep the new lambs without spot or blemish, then they would be laid in a manger until they had calmed down.

The ‘special shepherds’ keeping watch over the temple sacrifices were the ones to whom God announced, through His angel, the birth of the ultimate “sacrificial Lamb.”

These priestly shepherds knew the ‘swaddling’ procedure and, when told it would be a sign, they recalled Micah 4:8 and, with haste (Luke 2:16) ran to see the newborn Jesus, the Son of God.

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There was no need for the angel to give these shepherds directions to the birth place because they already knew.

They who raised the sacrificial lambs for the Temple, knew exactly where to go, as Luke 2 indicates, for the sign of a manger could only mean a manger at the tower of the flock in their fields.

When the father of a household presented a lamb to the priest to be examined, he had tied the family name around the head of the potential sacrificial lamb so that the meat could be returned to him to be used during their Passover meal.

Once the fatty portions of the lamb intended for the altar were taken out and offered by the priest on the altar, the sacrifice was complete.• The victim was now ready for

roasting so each man present carried his lamb home.

The lamb was roasted at home on a spit of pomegranate-wood.

No bones were broken neither during the cooking nor during the eating.

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John 19:19-22 NKJV19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put iton the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

John 19:19-22 NKJV

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TYPOLOGY IN SCRIPTURE• wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying

in a manger • unblemished, spotless, without sin • Passover sacrifices must be born

within 5 miles of Jerusalem • male sheep a ‘sin’ offering

• male lambs born to die as an offering for the sins of the people

• Jesus, the Lamb of God, born to die for the sins of the whole world

• the family name tied around the head of the sacrificial lamb

• YHWH around the head of The Lamb

• a flock, God’s people are but a remnant, a small number in comparison with the many that are left to perish;

• they are the remnant of Jacob, a people in covenant with God, and in His favor

Compiled from Jack Kelley’s www.gracethrufaith.com and notes from a lecture on “Migdal Eder” by Dr. Mark Bailey, DTS, President.

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Revelation 2 and 3Let Them Hear

July 26, 2015

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Warren Wiersbe

Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 2.

Revelation is one of the most exciting and action packed books of all Scripture.

In just 404 verses of the 22 chapters, the history and future of the church is told and foretold.

To truly understand Revelation you need a revelation.

This book, the last of the New Testament - promises a blessing to its readers - those who: read, hear and keep it!

In Revelation 1:19 Jesus told John to "write the things which thou hast seen ( chapter 1), and the things which are (chapter 2 & 3 the seven churches "which are in Asia), and the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22)."

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ExhortationAn utterance conveying urgent advice or recommendations.

Revelation 2:7 Ephesus Revelation 2:11 Smyrna Revelation 2:17 PergamosRevelation 2:26-29 Thyatira Revelation 3:5-6 Sardis Revelation 3:12-13 Philadelphia Revelation 3:21-22 Laodicea

Revelation 2:7 NKJV Ephesus7 “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 2:11 NKJV Smyrna11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Revelation 2:17 NKJV Pergamos17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him 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 namewritten which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Revelation 2:26-29 NKJV Thyatira26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—

as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 2:26-29 NKJV

Revelation 3:5-6 NKJV Sardis5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12-13 NKJV Philadelphia12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 3:21-22 NKJV Laodicea21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

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In these seven messages, the "overcomers" are not a "spiritual elite," but rather the true believers whose faith has given them victory (1 John 5:4-5).

1 John 5:4-5 NKJV4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

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Revelation 2:7 NKJV7 “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.”

It is shocking that this early church had lost its "first love" for Christ and it shows that it is possible for any Christian to be distracted from his devotion to the Lord by the cares of the world.

The good news is that if a person, or even a whole group of people in a church, should lose their first love, they can be restored by confessing (Greek homologeo – to say the same)

and repenting.

The promise to overcomers of this period is that they will eat of the Tree of Life which is said to now be in Paradise.

Adam and Eve ate instead from the forbidden fruit of the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil, thus rebelling against God and entering into sin (Genesis 3).

Part of the result of this sin was to be banished from the Garden of Eden so that they would not eat of this tree and live forever in their fallen state (Genesis 3:22-24).• Now that we are redeemed, we are

to eat from the Tree of Life and live!

Revelation 22:1-3 NKJV1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each treeyielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

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An overcomer has been delivered from the fallen state, and will be permitted to partake of this fruit, thus living forever as a redeemed person.

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Revelation 2:11 NKJV11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

No words of accusation are given to the congregation in Smyrna!

However, the Lord did give them solemn words of admonition as they faced increased suffering: "Don't be afraid!"

He assured them that He knew the devil's plans and was in complete control of the situation.

Remember: Things are not falling apart, they are falling into place!

Smyrna's name is derived from "myrrh," a valuable spice used in the process of embalming.

Myrrh symbolizes death and yet is a sweet fragrance.

This is an appropriate word picture for the period of church history characterized by martyrdom.• This period lasted from 100 to

312AD and there were ten definable periods of persecution of Christians under ten of the Emperors of Rome.

There is no warning to this church, since it was a church constantly purifiedby the rigors of persecution.• Only a strong, dedicated Christian

would be willing to die for Christ as a hypocrite would quit the church long before he would risk losing his life.

True believers would be faithful unto death, and they would receive a crown of life.

This is one of the special believers’ crowns mentioned in the Bible.

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Faithful believers will be able to lay these at the feet of Christ in the future to prove their love for Him Revelation 4:10.

Revelation 4:10-11 NKJV10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who sits on the throne and worship Him Who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord,To receive glory and honor and power;For You created all things,And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Jesus Teaches the Fear of GodLuke 12:2-5 NKJV2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:2-5 NKJV

The promise to overcomers of this period is that, though they might need to die physically, they would not be hurt by the "second death.“ • Spiritual death is seen in the

Scriptures as separation from God (Genesis 3, Ephesians 2:1).

Because these from Smryna had trusted Christ, they were overcomers, victors in the race of faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)—and, as overcomers, they had nothing to fear. • Even if they were martyred, they

would be ushered into glory, wearing crowns!

As end-time pressures increase, persecution will also increase; and God's people need to be ready (1 Peter 4:12ff).

The world may call us "poor Christians," but in God's sight we are rich!

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Revelation 2:17 NKJV17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him 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 namewritten which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Pergamum, also known as Pergamos, was steeped in pagan idolatry, serpentworship, and Caesar worship.• Pergamum means “thoroughly

married” and it represents the period of church history when the church became married to the world.

Constantine, the Emperor of the Roman Empire probably meant well when he issued a decree that all his subjects should become Christians, but it actually did much damage to the church.

The majority of people became Christian in name only, bringing their pagan practices and lifestyles into a compromised church.

The warning to this church is about those who allowed the teaching of Balaam. • This refers to a fascinating story from

the book of Numbers where the prophet Balaam was hired by Balak, king of the Moabites, to curse Israel.

He tried repeatedly, but God would not allow him to utter a curse against His people, however, he advised Balakto involve the Israelites in worldliness and immorality (Numbers31:16).• Thus Israel could be corrupted from

within.

This, of course, is exactly what happened to the church during this period of time.

They were corrupted by worldliness.

Overcomers are promised hidden manna and a white stone with a new namewritten upon it. • The hidden manna (Bread from

Heaven) represented the truth of Scripture which was in the process of being hidden by the worldly church.

Instead of eating "things sacrificed to idols" (Revelation 2:14), the believers in Pergamos needed to feast on God's holy food, the bread of life found in Jesus Christ through the Word (Matthew 4:4; John 6:32ff).

The white stone is a symbol taken from the ancient custom of giving a black stone to one judged guilty, and a white stone to one who is acquitted.

It was also used like a "ticket" to gain admission to a feast.

Both would certainly apply to the believer in a spiritual sense: he has been declared righteous through faith in Christ, and he feasts with Christ today (Revelation 3:20) and will feast with Him in glory (Revelation 19:6-9).

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Revelation 2:25-29 NKJV25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—

as I also have received from My Father;

28 and I will give him the morning star.

The promise to overcomers is to give authority over the nations and this stands in contrast to the deep secrets of Satan which may be a reference to the unholy alliance between the church and various governments.

The overcomer will also receive the Morning Star.

Jesus calls Himself the Bright and Morning star in Revelation 22:16.

The Lord had no special demands to make; He simply wanted them to hold fast in their resistance to evil.

"Till I come" refers to Christ's return for His people, at which time He will reward them for their faithfulness (see Rev. 3:3; 16:15; 22:7, 17, 20).

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This is the first mention in Revelation of the Lord's coming for the church, the event we commonly call the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

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In contrast, the reference in Rev 1:7 is to Christ's return to earth in judgment(His second coming), to defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom (Rev 19:11).

The believers in Thyatira are promised authority over the nations, which probably refers to the fact that God's people will live and reign with Christ (see Revelation 20:4).

When the Lord sets up His kingdom on earth, it will be a righteous kingdom with perfect justice.

He will rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:8-9).

Rebellious men will be like clay pots, easily broken to pieces!

Jesus Christ is "the Bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16).

The promise in Revelation 2:28suggests that God's people shall be so closely identified with Christ that He will "belong" to them!

As you review these first four messages to the churches, you can see the dangers that still exist for the people of God. • Like Ephesus, we can be zealous

and orthodox, but at the same time lose our devotion to Christ.

• Or, like Thyatira, our love can be increasing yet lacking in the kind of discernment that is necessary to keep the church pure (see Phil. 1:9-11).

• Like Pergamos and Thyatira, we may be so tolerant of evil that we grieve the Lord and invite His judgment.

Revelation 2:26-29

• Would we have selected Smyrna as the most spiritual church of the four? Probably not, yet the Lord did!

• We need to remind ourselves not to judge God's people by wrong standards, because only the Lord can see the heart (see 1 Corinthians 4:5).

God's exhortation to these churches (except Smyrna) is: "Repent! Change your minds!" • It is not only lost sinners who need

to repent, but also disobedient Christians.

If we do not repent and deal with sin in our lives and in our assemblies, the Lord may judge us and remove our lampstand (Revelation 2:5). • How tragic it is when a local church

gradually abandons the faith and loses its witness for Christ!

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Revelation 3:5-6 NKJV5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his namebefore My Father and before His angels.

The overcomer will be given white garments and his name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. • It seems that each person's name is

already in the Book of Life, but those who are not true believers will have their names blotted out.

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This book is also mentioned in Revelation 20:12 where those not found in it are cast into the Lake of Fire.

The promise in Revelation 3:5("clothed in white raiment") would have been especially meaningful to people who lived in a city where woolen garments were manufactured.

And the statement about the names being blotted out would also be significant to people in the Roman Empire, where citizenship was vitally important (see Acts 22:24-30).

It would appear that God's "Book of Life" contains the names of all the living, the wicked as well as the righteous (Psalm 69:28).

Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 suggest that the names of the saved are written in the book from the foundation of the world—that is, before they had done anything good or bad (Ephesians 1:4; see also Matthew 25:34)..

Jesus told His disciples to rejoice because their names were "written in Heaven" (Luke 10:20), the Greek verb is in the perfect tense, which means it can be translated "your names have been written in Heaven and are on permanent record up there."

We are enrolled in heaven because we have been born again (Hebrews 12:23), and no matter how disobedient a child may be, he or she cannot be "unborn."

As unbelievers die, their names are removed from the book; thus, at the final judgment, the book contains only the names of believers (Revelation 20:12-15).

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It then becomes "the Lamb's Book of Life" (Revelation 21:27), because only those saved by the Lord Jesus Christ have their names in it.

All the others have been blotted out, something God would never do for any true child of God (see Exodus 32:32; Romans 9:3).

It is a book of life, and lost sinners are dead (Ephesians 2:1).

The warning here is that we not grow comfortable in our churches, lest we find ourselves slowly dying. • The encouragement is that no

church is beyond hope as long as there is a remnant in it, willing to strengthen the things that remain.

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Revelation 3:12-13 NKJV12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

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Philadelphia is the missionary church. It began in the mid 1700's with the great revivals and the modern missions movement and it gradually lost its power during the early years of the1900's. • Philadelphia means brotherly love.

It is this love that causes the desire to evangelize others (Romans 5:5).

Jesus is seen as having the keys of David, He was of the line of David, and thus eligible for the throne of Israel.

The key is for opening the door of opportunity for missions.

No one can close what He has opened.

No one can open what He has closed.

There is no warning to this church, but many promises including these: "I am coming soon.", and a promise to keep them from the hour of trial that is coming on the world.

These are definite allusions to the Rapture and to its timing before the trials of The Tribulation.

There is also a warning not to let anyone take their crown.

This refers to one of the believers’ crowns: possibly the crown of lifewhich was promised to the overcomers of the Smyrna church above.

To the overcomers of this period there is a promise of a new name and permanent residence in the New Jerusalem.

The Saviour gave three wonderful and encouraging promises to this church. First, He would take care of their enemies (Revelation 3:9). • One day, these people would have to

acknowledge that the Christians were right! (see Isaiah 60:14; Phil. 2:10-11)

If we take care of God's work, He will take care of our battles.

Second, He would keep them from Tribulation (Revelation 3:10).

This is surely a reference to the time of Tribulation that John described in Revelation 6-19, "the time of Jacob's trouble."

This is not speaking about some local trial, because it involves "them that dwell on the earth" (see Rev. 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8).

The immediate reference would be to the official Roman persecutions that would come, but the ultimate reference is to the Tribulation that will encompass the earth before Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom.

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In many Bible scholars' understanding, Revelation 3:10 is a promise that the church will not go through the Tribulation, but will be taken to Heaven before it begins (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).

The admonition, "Behold, I come quickly," would strengthen this view.

The third promise to the Philadelphians is that God would honor them (Revelation 3:12).

The symbolism in this verse would be especially meaningful to people who lived in constant danger of earthquakes: the stability of the pillar, no need to go out or to flee, a heavenly city that nothing could destroy.

Ancient cities often honored great leaders by erecting pillars with their names inscribed on them.

God's pillars are not made of stone, because there is no temple in the heavenly city (Revelation 21:22).

His pillars are faithful people who bear His name for His glory (Galatians 2:9).

In a very real sense, the church today is like the Philadelphian church, for God has set before us many open doors of opportunity.

If He opens the doors, we must work; if He shuts the doors, we must wait.

Above all, we must be faithful to Him and see the opPORTunities, not the obstacles.

If we miss our opportunities it means being ashamed before Him when He comes (1 John 2:28).

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Revelation 3:21-22 NKJV21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

The Laodicean church is the last church of the seven, and stands for the last of the church periods.

The name Laodicea means "rule of the people."

It is a picture of a church controlled by the people instead of being controlled by God.

It is the church of the Apostasy, or the great "falling away" of believers.

Jesus reveals Himself as Ruler of all creation, and as the Faithful and True One in contrast to the unfaithfulness of the Laodiceans. • He says they are neither spiritually

hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and that He will spit them out of His mouth.

This is shocking news to a people who have a very good feeling about themselves.

They say they are rich, but they are poor and wretched and blind.

If they were spiritually "hot" they would be like the flaming evangelists of the Philadelphia church.

If they were "cold" perhaps they would recognize their spiritual plight.

But they are active in their church work, doing what they want instead of what God wants.

They are like those about whom Jesus warned—they call Him Lord, but He never knew them (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus counsels them to buy gold, symbolic of faith(1 Peter 1:7),white garments, which are like the linen of imputed righteousness with which the Bride of Christ is dressed (Revelation 19:7-8),and eye salve, showing dependence on God's spiritual healing for their blinded eyes. • To this church Jesus says He is standing outside

the door, knocking and if they will open the door, He will come in (Revelation 3:20).

This is a church full of unsaved people.

Since it comes at the end of the church age, it is easy to see that there will still be many who call themselves Christians left behind when the Rapture takes place.

Still, there are overcomers even from this church.

Those who will open the door to Christ will be overcomers and to them, Jesus will grant the right to sit with Him on His throne.

This is undoubtedly a reference to the future privilege of believers to reign with Christ.

Many Bible commentators note that the Seven Churches are representative of various congregations that can be found on the earth at any one time during the entire 2000 year history of the church.

These distinctively different congregations each has strengths and weaknesses, and each has a core of faithful believers within them—designated by the word "overcomers."

Also, each of the Seven Churches has enjoyed its season of prominence as the dominant church during a given period of time.

Most scholars who hold to this view believe we are now moving, or have already moved, out of the Philadelphian age into the final stage of church history before the Rapture, that of Laodicea.

The Lord closed this letter with three special statements.

First, an explanation: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Revelation 3:19a).

He still loves these lukewarm saints, even though their love for Him has grown cold.

He planns to chasten them as proof of His love (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-6).

God permits churches to go through times of trial so that they might become what He wants them to become.

Second, an exhortation: "Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19b).

The church at Laodicea had to repentof their pride and humble themselves before the Lord.

They had to "stir up that inner fire" (2 Timothy 1:6) and cultivate a burning heart.

Finally, an invitation (Rev. 3:20-22).

We often use these verses to lead lost people to Christ, but the basic application is to the believer. The Lord was outside the Laodiceanchurch!

He spoke to the individual—"if any man"—and not to the whole congregation.

He appealed to a small remnant in Sardis (Revelation 3:4-5), and now He appeals to the individual.

God can do great things in a church, even through one dedicated individual.

Christ was not impatient:"I have taken My stand" is the sense of the verb.

He "knocks" through circumstances and He calls through His Word.

For what is He appealing?

Fellowship and communion, the people's desire to abide in Him.

The Laodiceans were an independent church that had need of nothing, but they were not abiding in Christ nor drawing their power from Him. • They had a "successful program"

but it was not fruit that comes from abiding in Christ (John 15:1-8).

Note that when we invite Him in, the supper room becomes a throne room!

It is through communion with Christ that we find victory and become overcomers indeed!

The letters to the seven churches are God's X-rays, given to us so that we might examine our own lives and ministries. • Judgment is going to come to this

world, but it first begins at God's house (1 Peter 4:17).

In these letters we find encouragement as well as rebuke.

May the Lord help us to hear what the Spirit is saying today to the church, and to the individuals in the churches!

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

John 3:16 NKJV16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6 NKJV6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Romans 3:23 NKJV23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a NKJV23a For the wages of sin is death,

• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died

in this life to pay the penalty for our sins. • The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second

death explained in Revelation 21:8.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Romans 6:23b NKJV23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 NKJV8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Revelation 21:7 NKJV7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

•Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept Jesus as our Savior.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/