The things which you have seen Chapter 1 The things which are Chapters 2 3 The things which will take place after this Chapters 4 22 The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John ID: 594259
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Slide1Slide2
The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.
The things which you have
seen
– Chapter 1
The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3
The things which will take place
after
this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide3
The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.
The things which you have
seen
– Chapter 1
The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3
The things which will take place
after
this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide4
The Risen Christ gave us an outline of the message He was giving John.
The things which you have
seen
– Chapter 1
The things which are – Chapters 2 - 3
The things which will take place
after
this – Chapters 4 - 22Slide5
Today we begin the verse by verse examination of the second part, The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3, which contain Jesus´ message to each of the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia. While our study and use of the tools of interpretation will lead us to understand the
message
given by Christ, we will briefly explore its three applications.Slide6
Today we begin the verse by verse examination of the second part, The things which are – Chapters 2 – 3, which contain Jesus´ message to each of the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia. While our study and use of the tools of interpretation will lead us to understand the
message
given by Christ, we will briefly explore its three applications.Slide7
The application to the historic
local
churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.
The application to churches across the span of
history
.
The application to the church of
today
.Slide8
The application to the historic
local
churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.
The application to churches across the span of
history
.
The application to the church of
today
.Slide9
The application to the historic
local
churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.
The application to churches across the span of
history
.
The application to the church of
today
.Slide10
The application to the historic
local
churches that existed around 95 A.D. in Asia.
The application to churches across the span of
history
.
The application to the church of
today
.Slide11
The Church at Ephesus
Rev. 2:1-7 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; Slide12
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
, which I also hate. Slide13
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.” ’ Slide14
2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write
– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is
angelos
, which is translated as either angel or
messenger
. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,
angelos
is used to refer to
human
messengers, most often to John the
Baptist
. Slide15
2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write
– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is
angelos
, which is translated as either angel or
messenger
. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,
angelos
is used to refer to
human
messengers, most often to John the
Baptist
. Slide16
2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write
– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is
angelos
, which is translated as either angel or
messenger
. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,
angelos
is used to refer to
human
messengers, most often to John the
Baptist
. Slide17
2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write
– If we use our language tools here (as we should), we discover that the Greek word for angel is
angelos
, which is translated as either angel or
messenger
. But if we look at the places the word is used in the New Testament, we find that at least six times,
angelos
is used to refer to
human
messengers, most often to John the
Baptist
. Slide18
The context here indicates that it is a human messenger to whom this letter is being directed because Christ says, “I know your works…” The one receiving the letter was part of the church. This could not be said of an angel who had been given an assignment to minister to the church. The recipient of each of the letters was most likely the
pastor
of each of the churches, and he was supposed to pass the message to the church members.Slide19
The context here indicates that it is a human messenger to whom this letter is being directed because Christ says, “I know your works…” The one receiving the letter was part of the church. This could not be said of an angel who had been given an assignment to minister to the church. The recipient of each of the letters was most likely the
pastor
of each of the churches, and he was supposed to pass the message to the church members.Slide20
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His
hand
, and He walks personally in the
midst
of each of the seven churches. Slide21
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His
hand
, and He walks personally in the
midst
of each of the seven churches. Slide22
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
- Christ holds these pastors in the palm of His
hand
, and He walks personally in the
midst
of each of the seven churches. Slide23
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here receiving our
worship
whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.
He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His
ownership
and our offerings that declare our
gratitude
for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide24
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here receiving our
worship
whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.
He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His
ownership
and our offerings that declare our
gratitude
for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide25
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here receiving our
worship
whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.
He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His
ownership
and our offerings that declare our
gratitude
for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide26
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here receiving our
worship
whether it is offered with all heart and soul and mind and strength … or not.
He is here receiving our tithes that acknowledge His
ownership
and our offerings that declare our
gratitude
for the abundance of His blessings … or not.Slide27
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here to observe the
attentiveness
of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.
And He is here to note the
response
of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide28
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here to observe the
attentiveness
of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.
And He is here to note the
response
of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide29
Christ is with us tonight. The Lord is present every Sunday.
He is here to observe the
attentiveness
of our minds to His Word as it is taught and preached … or not.
And He is here to note the
response
of our heart to the message He speaks to us as the Spirit applies His word to our hearts … or not!Slide30
2
“I know your works, your labor, your patience,
- The Lord knows what we are going through.Slide31
and that you cannot bear those who are evil.
– the Ephesian church was not morally permissive.Slide32
And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
- They were also careful about doctrine.Slide33
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
– So very much was right with the church at Ephesus, but …Slide34
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
– Now we come to the key question of this letter. What was the love the Ephesians had left? The word itself is agape which is the highest form of love, being used even to describe God´s love. It is purer love than
philos
which is friendship kind of love or of
eros
which is erotic love. Slide35
How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures.Slide36
How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures
.
What did God command us to love the most?
Matthew 22:37–38 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the
Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Slide37
How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures
.
What did God command us to love the most?
Matthew 22:37–38 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the
Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Slide38
How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures
.
What did God command us to love the most?
What did God call Israel´s apostasy? Slide39
How can we tell what is meant? I suggest we ask two questions of the Scriptures in order to let the Scriptures explain the Scriptures
.
What did God command us to love the most?
What did God call Israel´s apostasy?
Harlotry or adulterySlide40
Because they
forsook
the Lord
. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the
Lord
: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have
forsaken Me
and burned incense to other gods, …
– Judah (and later Israel) left the
Lord
; they left their first love.Slide41
Because they
forsook
the Lord
. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the
Lord
: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have
forsaken Me
and burned incense to other gods, …
– Judah (and later Israel) left the
Lord
; they left their first love.Slide42
Because they
forsook
the Lord
. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the
Lord
: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have
forsaken Me
and burned incense to other gods, …
– Judah (and later Israel) left the
Lord
; they left their first love.Slide43
Because they
forsook
the Lord
. 2 Kings 22:16–17 “Thus says the
Lord
: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants… because they have
forsaken Me
and burned incense to other gods, …
– Judah (and later Israel) left the
Lord
; they left their first love.Slide44
Applications:
The people of the church at Ephesus still worked hard, were steadfast, and maintained sound doctrine; but they were no longer passionate about Christ Himself.Slide45
Applications:
The Ephesian Period of the church was A.D. 70-170, the late apostolic age. Many of the churches of that day were still doing the right things as they ought as a church, but their fervor for Jesus and passion for Christ grew cold.Slide46
Applications:
This serves as a warning to Christians and to the church today that you can have all the right pieces of the “Christian Puzzle” in place and the Lord still have something against us. Without Jesus being the
first love
of our livesSlide47
Applications:
This serves as a warning to Christians and to the church today that you can have all the right pieces of the “Christian Puzzle” in place and the Lord still have something against us. Without Jesus being the
first love
of our livesSlide48
Worship becomes liturgy instead of
adoration
.
Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate
conversation
.
Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the
minimum
payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.
Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of
others
instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide49
Worship becomes liturgy instead of
adoration
.
Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate
conversation
.
Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the
minimum
payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.
Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of
others
instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide50
Worship becomes liturgy instead of
adoration
.
Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate
conversation
.
Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the
minimum
payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.
Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of
others
instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide51
Worship becomes liturgy instead of
adoration
.
Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate
conversation
.
Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the
minimum
payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.
Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of
others
instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide52
Worship becomes liturgy instead of
adoration
.
Prayer becomes a required recitation rather than intimate
conversation
.
Giving becomes a bill to be paid with the
minimum
payment required rather than a lavish gift to the One who means the very most in life.
Evangelism and witness are lofty ideals realized only in the lives of
others
instead of ever present realities brought to fruition by genuine desire.Slide53
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works
– Remember what it was like when you
first
came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (
repent
) and fall in love with me again.Slide54
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works
– Remember what it was like when you
first
came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (
repent
) and fall in love with me again.Slide55
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works
– Remember what it was like when you
first
came to know me and make a 180 degree turn (
repent
) and fall in love with me again.Slide56
or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
– The gates of
hell
cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to
die
if they do not love
Him
!Slide57
or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
– The gates of
hell
cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to
die
if they do not love
Him
!Slide58
or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
– The gates of
hell
cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to
die
if they do not love
Him
!Slide59
or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
– The gates of
hell
cannot withstand the church, but Christ Himself will let or cause a local church to
die
if they do not love
Him
!Slide60
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
, which I also hate.
– Identifying the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
has caused much
speculation
. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the
Nicolaitans
during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God
revealed
. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide61
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
, which I also hate.
– Identifying the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
has caused much
speculation
. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the
Nicolaitans
during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God
revealed
. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide62
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
, which I also hate.
– Identifying the deeds of the
Nicolaitans
has caused much
speculation
. Speculation does not lead to good interpretation. The problem is that historically we do not find a record of a group called the
Nicolaitans
during this period of time. But remember, before we tried to understand, God
revealed
. He would not and has not left us “clueless.” Slide63
So we ask, “Does the name
Nicolaitan
have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to
conquer
the
people
.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue
influence
over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an
apostle
if they were not one? Slide64
So we ask, “Does the name
Nicolaitan
have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to
conquer
the
people
.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue
influence
over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an
apostle
if they were not one? Slide65
So we ask, “Does the name
Nicolaitan
have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to
conquer
the
people
.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue
influence
over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an
apostle
if they were not one? Slide66
So we ask, “Does the name
Nicolaitan
have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to
conquer
the
people
.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue
influence
over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an
apostle
if they were not one? Slide67
So we ask, “Does the name
Nicolaitan
have a meaning?” A little work on the word reveals it does have a meaning. It is a compound word that means “to
conquer
the
people
.” Did the Ephesian Christians have to deal with anyone trying to gain undue
influence
over the church for evil purposes? Read verse two again. Why would someone claim to be an
apostle
if they were not one? Slide68
What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual
authorities
, sought power in the church. These were the
Nicolaitans
, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were
liars
. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the
deeds
of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide69
What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual
authorities
, sought power in the church. These were the
Nicolaitans
, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were
liars
. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the
deeds
of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide70
What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual
authorities
, sought power in the church. These were the
Nicolaitans
, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were
liars
. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the
deeds
of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide71
What reason could there be except to gain influence they otherwise would not have had. These false believers, pretending to be spiritual
authorities
, sought power in the church. These were the
Nicolaitans
, and the church at Ephesus tested these pretenders and proved they were
liars
. The faithful members resisted their evil attempts and hated the
deeds
of these people desiring self exaltation in Christ´s church.Slide72
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
– Interesting! The message originated with God the
Father
(1:1). He gave it to God the
Son
(1:1). The Son tells John, but the
Spirit
moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide73
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
– Interesting! The message originated with God the
Father
(1:1). He gave it to God the
Son
(1:1). The Son tells John, but the
Spirit
moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide74
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
– Interesting! The message originated with God the
Father
(1:1). He gave it to God the
Son
(1:1). The Son tells John, but the
Spirit
moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide75
7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
– Interesting! The message originated with God the
Father
(1:1). He gave it to God the
Son
(1:1). The Son tells John, but the
Spirit
moves in John for this fallible human being to record the message infallibly, perfectly (2 Pet. 1:20).Slide76
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
– Overcomes is from that same root which means to
conquer
. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the
New Jerusalem
. Its leaves produce
healing
and its fruit extends
life
.Slide77
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
– Overcomes is from that same root which means to
conquer
. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the
New Jerusalem
. Its leaves produce
healing
and its fruit extends
life
.Slide78
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
– Overcomes is from that same root which means to
conquer
. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the
New Jerusalem
. Its leaves produce
healing
and its fruit extends
life
.Slide79
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
– Overcomes is from that same root which means to
conquer
. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the
New Jerusalem
. Its leaves produce
healing
and its fruit extends
life
.Slide80
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
– Overcomes is from that same root which means to
conquer
. The tree of life was in the Garden of Eden and later in Revelation is said to be in the
New Jerusalem
. Its leaves produce
healing
and its fruit extends
life
.