Purpose of the book of Revelation

It was written to give Christians, struggling in this world against those who

oppose the Faith, hope that the Christ who died for us will also one day return for us as a conquering King to establish

his eternal reign! Because Jesus overcomes, so can we!

The structure of the book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

Chp. 1 Chp. 2-3 Chps. 4-22

“Things

which

you have

seen”

“Things

which

are”

“Things which will take place”

Vision of Christ Vision of Consummation

Theophany Talks Tribulations Triumph Together!

Revelation 1:11Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

A circular letter

which was

circulated

among churches

via postal route

3 Guiding Principles

1. These first century letters are meant for us just as much as they were meant for their original recipients.

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

3 Guiding Principles

1. These first century letters are meant for us just as much as they were meant for their original recipients.

3 Guiding Principles

2. Don’t miss the forest for the trees! Let’s not get lost in the details and therefore miss the message Jesus has for us!

3 Guiding Principles

3. The Church may not be perfect, but it is precious!

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right

hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)

Ephesians 2:1To the angel of the church in Ephesus

write:

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)

Ephesians 2:8And to the angel of the church in Smyrna

write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)3. A word of praise (5 of 7)

Revelation 2:13 (Pergamum)I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith.

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)3. A word of praise (5 of 7)4. A sharp rebuke (5 of 7)

The Structure of the Letters

Revelation 3:1 (Sardis)I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)3. A word of praise (5 of 7)4. A sharp rebuke (5 of 7)5. A charge to repent (5 of 7)

The Structure of the Letters

Revelation 3:16 (Laodicea)So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (rebuke)

The Structure of the Letters

Revelation 3:19 (Laodicea)

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)3. A word of praise (5 of 7)4. A sharp rebuke (5 of 7)5. A charge to repent (5 of 7)6. A call to hear (all)

The Structure of the Letters

1. A command to write (all)2. A self-description of Christ (all)3. A word of praise (5 of 7)4. A sharp rebuke (5 of 7)5. A charge to repent (5 of 7)6. A call to hear (all)7. A promise offered (all)

The Structure of the Letters

Revelation 2:7b (Ephesus)To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

3 Vital Lessons

1. We must beware of spiritual COMPLACENCY!

Beware of complacency!

Revelation 2:4 (Ephesus)

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Beware of complacency!

Revelation 2:5b (Ephesus)

I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,

unless you repent.

Beware of complacency!

Matthew 22:37You shall love the Lord your God with

all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your mind. This is the

great and first commandment.

Beware of complacency!

Revelation 3:15-16 (Laodicea)I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were

either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor

cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Beware of complacency!

Revelation 3:19 (Laodicea)Those whom I love, I reprove and

discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Beware of complacency!

Revelation 3:20 (Laodicea)Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

3 Vital Lessons

1. We must beware of spiritual COMPLACENCY!

2. We must embrace a “Jesus-Driven” philosophy of ministry and life.

Friends who is THE central person in

these letters?

JESUS!

“In the final analysis, Jesus cares comparatively little aboutnumerical size, cultural

relevance, social influence, or financial prosperity. What matters most to him and must therefore matter most to us is whether a church holds forth HIS name, proclaims the gospel of which HE is the center, and heeds HIS words as guidance to govern its life and its loves.”

“Is your church Jesus-driven? Are the ministries and programs of your corporate existence energized and given shape by what pleases HIM? Is HE prized above all earthly treasures?”

(Sam Storms, To the One Who Conquers)

3 Vital Lessons

1. We must beware of spiritual COMPLACENCY!

2. We must embrace a “Jesus-Driven” philosophy of ministry and life.

3. We must put the word “repent” back into our vocabulary!

Put “repent” back in vocab!

Revelation 2:5 (Ephesus)Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

Put “repent” back in vocab!

Revelation 2:16 (Pergamum)Therefore repent.

Put “repent” back in vocab!

Revelation 2:22 (Thyatira)Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repentof her works.

Put “repent” back in vocab!

Revelation 3:3 (Sardis)Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.

Put “repent” back in vocab!

Revelation 3:19 (Laodicea)Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RECOGNIZE sin for what it is, an offense against God and therefore totally and absolutely disgusting to him!

Psalm 51:4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight.

Repentance

Lancaster County

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RECOGNIZE sin for what it is, an offense against God and therefore totally and absolutely disgusting to him!

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

Recognize Take RESPONSIBILITY – we must own up to our sin!

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RecognizeTake ResponsibilityRID ourselves of the sin – we must willfully and decisively turn from the sin!

2 Corinthians 7:1Since we have these promises,

beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit.

Repentance

James 1:21

Therefore put away all filthiness

and rampant wickedness.

1 Peter 2:1

So put away all malice and all

deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Repentance

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RecognizeTake responsiblityRID ourselves of our sin – we must willfully and decisively turn from the sin!

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RecognizeTake responsibilityRid ourselves of the sinREQUEST from God – cleansing and strength to say “No!” in the future

Psalm 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Repentance

To ‘repent’ means to . . .

RecognizeTake responsibilityRid ourselves of the sinRequest from God

1. Has your love for Jesus Christ grown cold?

2. What “drives” your life? Is it Jesus? Or something else?

3. When was the last time you practiced biblical repentance?

We must Know the Truth …. and Stand

for the Truth!

A fourth “bonus” lesson …