Title: The Revelation of Jesus Christ - Part 3
Text: Rev. 2: 1-7
Key v. 7
Last week we studied:
[Johns revelation of Jesus as the judge of all mankind. V.9-20]
When Jesus first came He came as the lamb of God, spoke as the last prophet (Heb.1:2), ascended as our Great High Priest, and will one day come as our ruling judge, and Lord of Lords and King of all Kings.
Review:
V.9,10 – The Apostle John is exiled to the island of Patmos where he receives the revelation.
V.10,11 – John states: I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. 10 It was the Lord's Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. 11 It said, "Write in a book (scroll) everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." NLT
V.11-18 - The Apostle Johns reaction after hearing and seeing the Son of man.
John’s reaction was one of absolute fearful reverence, so much so that Bible says: 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], 18 and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead). V.17,18 - AMP
Question: What did John see that made Him so fearful that he prostrated himself with his face to the ground?
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. - This was Jesus Christ with the long robe of a judge. The band around His chest symbolizes the righteousness and faithfulness with which He judges.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, - picturing His eternity, as the Ancient of Days (Dan.7:9), and also the wisdom and purity of His judgments.
and His eyes like a flame of fire; - speak of perfect knowledge, infallible insight, and inescapable scrutiny.
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, - Since brass is a consistent type of judgment, this supports the view that it is the judicial office that is primarily in view.
and His voice as the sound of many waters; - like the waves of the sea, or a mountain waterfall, majestic and awesome.
16 He had in His right hand seven stars, revealed in v.20 – (angels = messengers, or leaders, representatives) of the 7 churches. also - indicating possession, power, control, and honor.
out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, - the word of God (Heb.4:12). Here it refers to the keen and accurate verdicts concerning His people, as see in the letters to the 7 churches.
and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. – at high noon, the dazzling splendor and transcendent glory of His deity. NKJV (No wonder John prostrated himself in holy fear.)
V.19,20. John is once again instructed to write what he saw, the things which are, and what will take place afterwards.
This is the key to understanding and interpreting Revelation. Our Lord gave us a built in outline of the entire book.
- The things which you have seen - refers to the vision John was given of Jesus in His glorified body.
- The things which are - refers to the letters to the churches in ch. 2-3 – The church age. From Pentecost to his present time.
- The things which will take place after this - designates the period of time that will follow the church age.
The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. (gotquestions.org)
Chapter 2
1.Ephesus – the careless church v.1-7
2. Smyrna – the crowned church v.8-11
3. Pergamos – the compromising church v.12-17
4. Thyatira – the corrupted church v.18-29
Chapter 3
5. Sardis – the feeble church v. 1-6
6.Philidelphia – the faithful church v.7-13
7. Laodicea – the foolish church v.14 -22
(Only two of these church received no correction from Jesus.)
[Today we will study the first church of the seven churches which Jesus addressed. 2: 1-7]
V.1 -3 – Jesus gives a description of the spiritual state of the church of Ephesus.
1. I know your works – This was a serving church – busy doing the Lord’s work
2. Your labor – This was a sacrificing church. -they toiled to the point of exhaustion.
3. your patience – This was a steadfast church. – they endured under trial.
4. you cannot bear those who are evil – They were a separated people – they carefully examined the visiting ministers to see if they were genuine.
5. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. – They were a suffering church. – they patiently bore their burdens and toiled without fainting.