Revelation 2 and 3

Let Them Hear

July 26, 2015

First Baptist Church

Jackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

The Glory of God!

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HQ.281771712641&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

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

God.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFOtNWjTX5s/UdT_aGKSebI/AAAAAAAAAB0/ieKqL_IsJHg/s960/1031-wallpaper-slide-v2.gif

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

The Committee On Committees

Kendall Smith - Chairman

Beth 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. - Dismiss

Regular Line: $7.50

Senior Adult: $6.00

Lite Line: $5.50

AN AFTERNOON AT THE REZ

For young and median adults and their families

PELAHATCHIE SHORE PARK

Saturday, 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 Band

Children’s activities

Tickets on sale today at the

2nd floor kiosk

French Camp Academy

http://thehowellfamily.yolasite.com/resources/French%20Camp%20sign.jpg

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

in 2015:

http://kazyoung.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Challenge.jpg

1.) Memorize the monthly memory verses and know each month we are hiding

God’s Word in our heart.

http://rejoiceministries.org/images/hiding-gods-word-banner.jpg

January verse: Romans 10:9

February verse: Ephesians 2:8-9

March verse: Romans 3:23

April verse: I Peter 1:3

May verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7

June verse: Philippians 1:6

2.) Share your faith with one person each month and build a relationship with

them, so they will become a believer in 2015 as God uses you to plant seeds

with that person.

Luke 19:11-27

http://beavercreekchristian.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/becoming-a-disciple-maker.jpg

3). Ask two Sunday School class members to share how they have seen God at

work during the week.

http://www.tillhecomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/God_At_Work.jpg

Migdal Eder Tower of the Flock

http://markziese.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Fort-Flock-1.001.jpg

Luke 2:11-12 NKJV 11 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 NKJV 19 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 NLKV 8 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.

There was no need for the angel to give these shepherds directions to the birth

place because they already knew.

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.E//yFP%2b57SowD/p3283%2bfg&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

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.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Jesus_Crucifixion_0040.jpg

John 19:19-22 NKJV 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on 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.”

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN./XDcYftGq2meyg/facCCJg&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

YHWH

http://i-cias.com/e.o/ill/yhwh01.gif

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.

http://tnvalleytalks.hoop.la/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/318094437413151128/filePointer/319361141243144196/fodoid

/319361141243144194/imageType/LARGE/inlineImage/true/God%27s%20View%20-%20Bible%20Timeline%20-

%20Outline.jpg

Revelation 2 and 3

Let Them Hear

July 26, 2015

http://nowtheendbegins.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/the-seven-7-churches-of-revelation-apostle-john-

rightly-dividing-bible-study.jpg

Warren Wiersbe

http://onedesertrose.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/wiersbe_warren.jpg

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)."

http://beginningandend.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Seven-churches-in-Revelation-Timing-of-the-Rapture-in-

the-Bible-e1359125921373.png

http://kitennessee.com/wp-content/uploads/revelation-design-elements.jpg

Exhortation

An utterance conveying urgent advice or recommendations.

Revelation 2:7 Ephesus

Revelation 2:11 Smyrna

Revelation 2:17 Pergamos

Revelation 2:26-29 Thyatira

Revelation 3:5-6 Sardis

Revelation 3:12-13 Philadelphia

Revelation 3:21-22 Laodicea

Revelation 2:7 NKJV Ephesus 7 “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 Smyrna 11 “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 Pergamos 17 “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 name written which no one knows except

him who receives it.”

Revelation 2:26-29 NKJV Thyatira 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.

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

Revelation 3:5-6 NKJV Sardis 5 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.

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

Revelation 3:12-13 NKJV Philadelphia 12 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.

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

Revelation 3:21-22 NKJV Laodicea 21 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.

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

http://static2.tripoto.com/media/filter/medium/img/2429/TripDocument/7church.gif

http://lifehopeandtruth.com/uploads/images/7-churches-of-revelation.gif

https://bible.org/assets/minorp/minorp-1.gif

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 NKJV 4 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?

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.LLFRwIosOqbCX9UF%2bBXOdQ&w=301&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

Revelation 2:7 NKJV 7 “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.”

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 NKJV 1 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 tree

yielding 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.

Revelation 22:1-3 NKJV

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.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/17/ed/55/17ed559ac30d37afa61d8417d1516d7a.jpg

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/267/191/267191478_640.jpg

Revelation 2:11 NKJV 11 “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 purified by

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.

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.

http://eborg2.com/Revelation/Rev04/24elders.jpg

Revelation 4:10-11 NKJV 10 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 God

Luke 12:2-5 NKJV 2 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!

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 Smyrna 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!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYbPB7pjJ7Y/VFo7kz407KI/AAAAAAAAI0g/OgDuOxAGL2w/s1600/the-compromising-

church-the-church-at-pergamos-1-638.jpg

Revelation 2:17 NKJV 17 “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 name written which no one knows except

him who receives it.”

Pergamum, also known as Pergamos, was steeped in pagan idolatry, serpent

worship, 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 Balak to 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 name

written 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).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gy7FSr76uLw/UVOYpjnZQ0I/AAAAAAAAAZY/B2LJfebjkKY/s1600/Rev2.18-29PoisonInThePulpit-

761830.jpg

Revelation 2:26-29 NKJV 25 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.

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

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).

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).

http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.YsbJhbgpoBOV6KtRqOfBGw&w=304&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

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).

http://www.christiansermoncentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Jesus-second-coming.jpg

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 2:28 suggests 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.

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!

https://brotherendrit.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sardis-the-dead-church.jpg

Revelation 3:5-6 NKJV 5 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.

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

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.

This book is also mentioned in Revelation 20:12 where those not found in it are

cast into the Lake of Fire.

http://eisakouo.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/bookoflife.jpg#name%20writen%20in%20the%20book%20of%20lide%20298

x313

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).

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.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz67cd7Vmfo/UHYzsa5M11I/AAAAAAAAHsc/PuZPnvgkILU/s1600/book_of_life111111.jpg

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.

http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/282/687/282687684_640.jpg

Revelation 3:12-13 NKJV 12 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.

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

http://www.rose-publishing.com/Assets/ClientImages/powerpoint_slides/264X_p1.jpg

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 life which 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.

https://bible.org/assets/minorp/minorp-1.gif

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).

http://www.backgroundchecksforchurches.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/laodicea-image.jpg

Revelation 3:21-22 NKJV 21 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.

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

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 repent of 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 Laodicean church!

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 NKJV 16 “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 NKJV 6 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 NKJV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a NKJV 23a 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 NKJV 8 “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 5:8 NKJV 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

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

Revelation 21:7 NKJV 7 “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 NKJV 9 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 NKJV 13 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/