February 14, 2008

Revelation 2:1-11

The Church at Ephesus and Smyrna

1. The church at Ephesus - the Apostolic church age - 30-100AD

2. The church at Smyrna - the Persecuted church age - 100-313AD

***The 7 churches represent:  principles for believers to follow/7 church ages/principles the 7 churches were actually going through

The Church at Ephesus - Rev 2:1-7

Ephesus - means to be relaxed;laid back;casual; to drift away

-represents the Apostolic church age

-John used to Pastor this church

-there is an angel for every church

vs2-3,6 - COMMENDATION

*they were a separated church

-they allowed God to prune

-they pruned themselves through the Lord

tested - means a very thorough investigation and careful examination

***The Church at Ephesus Tested 5-fold giftings

How do we know if anyone has a 5-fold gift or an Apostle?

1. by their fruit

2. by their doctrine

3. by their accountability and submission

4. by their humility

5. by their production - Apostles start new ministries and plant churches

***The Church at Ephesus tested the deeds and works of people

The Nicolaitans - we are to hate these deeds

Nicolaitan - means to conquer the people;victory over the laity

What were their deeds or works?

1. they said and thought they were above the people

2. they were new agers

-worshiped false gods

-were gnostics

v7 - He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying - this phrase is used 7 times - one time for each church.......

-we need the Spirit of God in our churches

-we need the Holy Spirit to be a complete church or ministry - 7 is the number of God and speaks of completion

To Him who overcomes - means someone who is born again

-this is not a spiritual elite group of people

tree of life - is eternal life

paradise - is heaven

The Church at Smyrna - Rev 2:8-11

The Persecuted Church Age - 100-313AD

v8 - Smyrna - means bitter

-we get the word myrrh from Smyrna

-there will be bitter times in all of our lives

-the Lord is always there for us though - He is the first and the last and He is alive

v9 - I know your works - good and bad

-this is mentioned 7 times, one for each church

-to be complete, we must be serving

I know your tribulation

-means to squeeze and be pressed

-Acts 14:22

-suffering tribulation does not mean you are out of God's will or are in sin

I Know your poverty

-they were rich spiritually

-rich refers to their heavenly bank account

I Know the slander

-blasphemy - means slander

-because we are doing something for the Lord

-it was a hostile attitude against the church

v10 - 10 days of tribulation refers to 10 literal periods or seasons of suffering under different Roman emperors

-the Christians would not be involved in emperor worship - making Casar Lord and worshipping caesar

REWARDS

1. receive a crown of life - for faithfulness

2. we will not be a part of the second death - Revelation 20:11-15