Lesson 460 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Revelation 3:11).
Cross References
I First Message, to the Church at Ephesus
1. The Ephesian church had much to her credit, [REV:2:2-3], [REV:2:6]; [PS:139:1-5]; [GAL:6:9].
2. The church at Ephesus was in a backslidden state, [REV:2:4-5]; [EZE:18:24]; [EZE:33:12-13], [EZE:33:18]; [MAT:26:75]; [MAT:24:12]; [LUK:9:62]; [2CO:11:13] 15; [2PE:2:1], [2PE:2:10], [2PE:2:20].
II The Second Message, to the Church in Smyrna
1. This church was poor in this world's goods but rich toward God [REV:2:8-9]; [REV:3:9]; [JAM:2:5]; [ROM:2:28-29].
2. This church was promised a crown of life if faithful unto death [REV:2:10-11]; [JAM:1:12].
III The Third Message, to the Church in Pergamos
1. This church is commended by Christ, [REV:2:13]; [MAT:15:28].
2. The church is rebuked for fellowshipping false teachers, [REV:2:14-17]; [NUM:25:2-5]; [2PE:2:15-16]; [JUD:1:11].
IV The Fourth Message, to the Church in Thyatira
1. They have many things to commend them, [REV:2:19], [REV:2:24-29].
2. The church is indicted for suffering Jezebel to teach and seduce some to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols, [REV:2:20-23].
V The Fifth Message, to the Church of Sardis
1. It had a name that it lived, but was dead, [REV:3:1]; [MAT:7:21]; [MAK:7:6]; [EZE:33:1-33].
2. It is exhorted to repent. There were some who had not defiled their garments, [REV:3:2-6]; [MAT:24:42-43]; [1TS:5:2-6]; [2PE:3:10].
VI The Sixth Message, to the Church of Philadelphia
1. They were commended and an open door was set before them [REV:3:7-9]; [1CO:16:9]l
2. Many promises are given to them, [REV:3:10-13]; [REV:21:2-7].
VII The Seventh Message, to the Church of Laodicea
1. This church was lukewarm and ready to be spued out of the mouth of God, [REV:3:14-17]; [2KG:10:31]; [HOS:10:2].
2. They are rebuked and counselled to buy gold tried in the fire, [REV:3:18], [REV:3:22]; [PRO:30:12]; [1CO:4:8]; [LUK:18:9-14].
Notes
The Seven Churches
In this lesson we have the messages that were sent to the seven different churches in Asia.
Each of the seven epistles commences with, "I know thy works." Each contains a promise from Christ: "To him that overcometh." Each ends with: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Some have thought that the seven churches are symbolical of the different church ages from the time of John until the coming of the Lord. Others think that they represent the whole Christian church, dispersed throughout the whole world as it exists in every age. These seven churches, however, were literal, historical churches existing at the time John wrote.
In these messages any pastor, church or individual can find suitable instructions for every occasion.
It is the characteristic of our Lord to put forth first that which He approves, and then to note the shortcomings.
The Church of Ephesus
Ephesus was famed for the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul spent over two years in Ephesus preaching the Gospel. A strong church was established. It was noted for its love and fervency and was the leading church in all Asia. Here John spent his declining years. He who holds the seven stars and walks among the candlesticks found in Ephesus good works, labour, endurance, steadfast oppositions to evil, faithfulness and firmness in discipline, cheerfulness in bearing any burden for Christ's sake, and a hatred for deeds and practices which Christ hates.
There is such a thing as being able to discern between the true and the false, having a correctness of judgment in sacred things, a zeal and self sacrificing devotion to the right and true, and a severance from false apostles and all evildoers, and yet to be without that warmth and purity of love that filled the heart when one was first born again. We can become so much absorbed in our work for the church that we let that first love slip out of our heart. This is what the Lord had against the church at Ephesus. They were exhorted to repent and do their first works over, or else He would remove their candlestick out of its place.
To the overcomer He would give to eat of the Tree of Life, which was in the Paradise of God. Here we find the Tree of Life that God placed in the Garden of Eden, growing in the Paradise of God -- Paradise regained. What was lost through the fall of Adam will be gained back through Christ.
The Church in Smyrna
Smyrna was a poor church financially, but the Lord said they were rich: rich in faith, rich in love. They had gone through much tribulation. They were persecuted by the disbelieving Jews. Paul said he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but who is one inwardly. The Lord tells them that more persecutions await them, but they would be of short duration. The devil would cast some of them into prison. They were told to be faithful unto death and they would receive a crown of life.
Sometimes the Lord turns the tactics of the devil upside down and accomplishes His own purpose to bring one out victorious. ``God sifts and winnows the man to separate his chaff from his wheat," comments one writer, "and the devil sifts him in hopes that nothing but chaff will be found in him."
It was in Smyrna that the saintly Polycarp was burned at the stake. Before they lit the fagots his judges asked that he recant. His noble words are handed down to us: "Fourscore and six years have I served the Lord and He never wronged me, how then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?"
The Church at Pergamos
At the time the Apocalypse was written Pergamos was the home of rich chiefs who had it adorned with magnificent residences, temples and groves. It had a library rivalling that of Alexandria. Parchment was here discovered for book purposes. It was a city of heathen temples and religious sensuality, hence the throne of Satan.
Although in the midst of idolatry some people had kept the faith. But they had failed to cast out of their fold those who held the "doctrine of Balaam." When the Lord would not let Balaam curse Israel, he still wanted to remain in good favour with Balak, so he taught Balak how to lay a stumbling-block before the Children of Israel. The Lord used the drawn sword to slay Balaam.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written." In the courts they used to give a white stone for acquittal and a black stone when condemned.
The Church at Thyatira
The church at Thyatira had kept its love and faith and had in creased in its service for the Master. Its works were greater now than at the beginning. It was just the opposite of the church at Ephesus, where the congregation had left their first love but hated sin and false doctrine.
The church at Thyatira was tolerating a woman who claimed to be a prophetess to seduce the saints into idolatry and sin. Jezebel of old led Israel into idolatry and domineered over Israel. She was given space to repent but refused. "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" [PRO:29:1]). God promised that His hand of judgment would work swiftly and all the churches would recognise that the Lord had done it.
Those who had not received this false doctrine were exhorted to "hold fast till I come," and He would give them power over the nations.
The Church at Sardis
Sardis had a name that it was a live church, but the Lord said that it was dead. It possibly had a godly outside appearance but the Lord looks on the heart. They did not seem to have any false doctrine to contend with inside the church or out. They were so dead spiritually that the devil did not concern himself with them. There were a few in the church who had not defiled their garments, and the Lord said they would walk with Him in white.
The Church of Philadelphia
Philadelphia means "brotherly love." When the Quakers came to America to find a home of religious freedom, they founded a city and called it Philadelphia. They tried to put brotherly love into practice by showing kindness and love to the Indians and telling them about the true God.
A few years ago when the United Nations celebrated its 10th anniversary, the Protestant, the Jew, the Buddhist, and others joined hands while each prayed a separate prayer to his god. Was that brotherly love? No! That was compromise. In these days they call it religious tolerance. The Lord plainly says in His Word, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
The great commission Jesus gave was, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." He told the church of Philadelphia that He had set before them an open door and no man could shut it. The Gospel light in these days has shone around the world. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto an nations; and then shall the end come" [MAT:24:14]).
As long as the love of God burns on the altar of the heart there will be a fervency and zeal to see other souls born into the Kingdom of God. Because they had kept the word of the Lord's patience, He promised to keep them from the hour of temptation, which will come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. We wonder if that hour is not upon us. The Lord follows with, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Many precious promises await the overcomes.
The Church of Laodicea
This was a church that was neither cold nor hot. It was so nearly sunk into slumber that it was in a drowsy state. A message to a cold church will oftentimes arouse it back to a state of fervency, but it is hard to arouse a drowsy person. Tepid water produces vomiting. A church that is lukewarm is nauseating in the sight of God.
This was a self satisfied church. They had plenty of this world's goods; they felt they had need of nothing, not even more religion. Oh, the mercy of God! He still stands and knocks at the heart's door of those who are on the verge of being spued out of His mouth. If they will be aroused from their slumber the Lord will still clothe than in white raiment and grant them the privilege of sitting with Him on His Throne in His Kingdom.
God's Promises
God's promises are sure. In these messages to the churches we find every state existing that it is possible to get into, from a life of holiness to a life of sin, degradation and compromise. God's smile of approval rests on the clean, sanctified life. His mercies are extended to the sinful and disobedient, giving them an opportunity to repent. It is left with us to decide among which group we will be found when the Lord comes.
Questions
1. Were these real churches, and where were they?
2. Which was the largest church?
3. Against which churches was there nothing said?
4. Which one had left their first love?
5. Which one was lukewarm?
6. Explain why the Lord would rather have it cold or hot.
7. Quote the different promises to the overcomers.