Discussion week 6 Revelation

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NBST 610

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Feb 20, 2024

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Discussion: Revelation Question 2 Look at the letters to the churches in Revelation 2–3 and make a chart of them showing the message of each letter in light of Jesus' (1) commendation or praise of the church, (2) complaint or rebuke, (3) warning, and (4) promise. Focus on which of the seven churches are presented positively and which are presented negatively and why they are presented in this manner. Then do the same thing for the church which you currently attend. How do you think the things Jesus says to these seven historical churches apply to your church? This last book of the Bible describes itself in 1:1 as a “revelation of Jesus Christ” (CSB), an expression that functions as a title for the entire book. 1 As I delve into the profound messages conveyed in the “Letters to the Seven Churches” in Revelation 2-3. I explored the commendations, complaints, warnings, and promises delivered by Jesus sending an angel to his apostle John. John has been selected to write the revelation of Jesus Christ on a scroll and to send it to these churches. 2 Through careful examination, I believe we can discern the intricate details of Jesus’ guidance and understand how these messages may apply to our own faith communities. Church Commendation/Praise Complaint/Rebuke Warning Promise Ephesus Strong doctrinal stand and endurance Abandoning their initial love for Christ Repent or lose their lampstand Right to eat from the tree of life Smyrna Enduring persecution and remaining faithful No specific complaint None Crown of life and no second death Pergamum Holding fast to Christ’s name Tolerating false teachings and immorality Repent of face judgment Hidden manna and a white stone with a new name Thyatira Growing love, faith, service, and perseverance Tolerating false prophetess Jezebel and immorality Repent or face severe consequences Authority over the nations and the Morning Star Sardis None Spiritually dead Wake up and strengthen what remains Clothed in white garments, and their names in the Book of Life Philadelphia Endurance and keeping Christ’s word None None Open door, protection from trials, and pillars in the temple of God Laodicea None Lukewarm faith Buy refined gold The right to sit 1 J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible , Fourth Edition, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 326. 2 Ibid., 341.
and repent with Christ on His Throne In the “Letters to the Seven Churches” in Revelation 2-3, certain churches are presented more positively, receiving commendations and promises, while others are presented more negatively, receiving rebukes and warnings. 1. Positively Presented Churches a. Smyrna (Revelation 2:9-10, ESV): i. This church is commended for enduring persecution and remaining faithful. It received no complaints or rebukes. b. Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8-12, ESV): i. This church is commended for endurance and keeping Christ’s word. “I know your works.” 2. Negatively Presented Churches a. Ephesus (Revelation 2:4-5, ESV): i. Although commended for its strong doctrinal stand and endurance, it is rebuked for abandoning its initial love for Christ. “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” There is a warning to repent or lose the lampstand. “If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand.” b. Pergamum (Revelation 2:14-16, ESV): i. Commended for holding fast to Christ’s name, it is rebuked for tolerating false teachings and immorality. “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed idols and practice sexual immorality.” The warning is to repent or face judgment for this church. c. Thyatira (Revelation 2:20-22, ESV): i. Commended for growing love, faith, service, and perseverance, it is rebuked for tolerating the false prophetess Jezebel and immorality. “That you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing servants to practice sexual immorality.” The warning is to repent of face severe consequences. d. Sardis (Revelation 3:1-3, ESV): i. This church is negatively presented with no commendation and described as spiritually dead. “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” The warning is to wake up and strengthen what remains. e. Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-18, ESV): i. This church is negatively presented with no commendation as well and is described as having lukewarm faith. “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold.” The warning is to buy refined gold and repent. “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire.”
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