LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES

TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS (Revelation 3:1-6)

ADDRESS
It is addressed to the church in Sardis. The church existed in Ad 1415-1700. The word Sardis means “remnant”.

Identity
The Sardis church is known as the reformation church. The word Reformation is from the word “reform” which means to get rid of unacceptable habits, to improve something by removing faults. They were known as dead but having a minority of godly men and women. They were also referred to as the dying church-i.e. spiritually dead.

Historical background 
Sardis was the most flourishing and famous city at that time, and it was noted for its great wealth. The chief of it was the carpet industry. Coins were first minted there.

ATTRIBUTE
Jesus referred to Himself as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars”. Seven denotes perfection, fullness. Thus, He revealed Himself in His fullness. Jesus needed to come in His fullness, in His perfection so they can be perfected because there was imperfection in them.

COMMENDATION (Rev 3: 4)
There was no commendation for the majority of the members in this church except for a few individuals whom the Lord commended for their purity.

Two key lessons from this point
1. God always has His remnant in every church age and time. (1 Kings 19:10, 18, Rom 11:2-5) If God gives you the privilege to be in a certain position, count it as such and do what is expected of you. Every time God replaces someone, it is always an improvement on the first. Anytime a man begins to feel indispensable, God withdraws from him. 

2. The fact that everybody is doing it does not mean you should do it. To be delivered from captivity, you must be sincere and repentant.
 - Heb. 12:1. In life, there are witnesses. There is always a good and bad example. We are all examples to people, either for good or bad. Where there is no good example to look up to, you should become the example. God will never leave Himself without a remnant.

The few in the church were referred to as worthy and God said they would walk with Him in white and white means purity. As you walk with Him, it’s from faith to faith, glory to glory and grace to grace.

The principles of God have not changed because He’s the same yesterday, today and forever, this means He will not lower His standard for anyone. Whatever He condemns in any generation that is against His standard/principles, remains what He will condemn in the next. God does not alter His standards for any age or time.

ACCUSATION/CONDEMNATION (Rev. 3: 2)
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God”. 
This is one letter God began with a rebuke.
Their works were not found perfect before Him. 

Historical Facts about of this church
Historically, the practices in this church were a result of the idolatry practices of the Thyatira church.

One notable figure in this era was MARTIN LUTHER. He gave us three grand gifts;

1. The universal priesthood of believers. (Every believer has direct access to God) 
2. The bible is the sole authority for the Christian faith
3. Justification is by faith alone not by works.
Some other notable names were Zwinghi, John Knox (He single-handedly swept Romanism out of Scotland through prayers), Roger Williams (founded the first Baptist Church in America) 

Modern era
Presently, our physical state is now been emphasized as against our spiritual state. We talk about our popularity and fame and no longer the presence of God. There is a growing declination. What is the emphasis in our lives and among us? 

KEY LESSON
No Holy Spirit, No life
No life, No progress
No progress, No expansion
No expansion, No explosion 
We are a spiritual people, so whatever we ought to do should start from the spirit. The church was dead. There is deadness without the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit walks in purity, where there is no purity, there is no life because the Holy Spirit is the life giver but satan tries to stop us through corruption. 

ADVICE
Rev 3:2-3, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you”.

- Be watchful, be vigilant, and be on your guard. We must be vigilant and beware of the traditions of men set out to deceive and take us away from the true teachings of Christ our Saviour. Eph. 5:14, Lk. 22:31-32, Col.2:6-10)

WARNING (Rev 3:3) 
If you do not watch, I'll come upon you as a thief...

ASSURANCE
 In Rev 3:4b-5, Jesus promised that he who overcomes shall,  

- Walk with Him in white- A promise of fellowship in glory
- Be clothed with garment or robe of righteousness
- Have heavenly registration. His name will not be blotted out of the book of life. This also implies heavenly recognition. 
For Jesus to say, “I will not blot out his name” means He has the power and authority to blot out ones name from the book of life.
Lk. 10:20-be thankful to God for your salvation. Every day, Life offers us opportunity, to deny or embrace Jesus. -Lk.12:8-9

APPEAL (Rev 3:6)
 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

PRAYER
- I have ears and I hear what the Spirit is saying
- Pray in the Holy Ghost

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA (Revelation 2:18-29)

ADDRESS
This letter was addressed to the church in Thyatira.
This church existed between Ad 590-1517. The name Thyatira means “continual sacrifice”. It also reveals how evil progresses in the church, where idolatry is practiced. Idolatry means worship of idols, unnecessary attachment to things.

Identity
The church was known as the church of the evil prophetess, it is also known as the corrupt church. Once you start compromising, you become corrupt. The church in Thyatira was known for good works but harbouring a false prophetess. You harbour a false prophetess by accommodating the false teachings and practices.

Historical background
The city is located 35 miles south-east of Pergamos. It was headquarters of commercialization, and an industrious city, a city of commerce. It may have been founded by Alexander The Great.  Lydia, a convert of Paul in Acts 16:14, was a native of this city.

INTRODUCTION (Revelation 2:18)
Jesus introduced himself as the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass.

Fire and brass. Fire indicates purification, revival. They needed to be purified and revived. Brass-to break, to destroy
There were things that needed to be destroyed.

COMMENDATION/APPROVAL (Revelation 2:19)
"I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first”.

God keeps records. Your works can either deem or illuminate your light. Matt.5:16. Your works speak and God is keeping records.  God is not only just watching your past works but your recent works are of great importance to Him. God expects progress. We must not live in past glory. God commended them for doing their works in greater dimension and better than the first. Do not get lost in the pool of survival.

ACCUSATION/CONDEMNATION (Revelation 2:20-23)
Do not take whatever God has against you for granted, even if there are "few". What Jesus had against them, was the teaching they accommodated.

- You allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (What are you allowing by your lifestyle?)

- And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

- I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

When God was sending this letter to them, they had been doing this for a while. He was patient with them, expecting them to repent. He gave them a window to change their mind.

God condemned them for allowing the ministry of a false prophetess named Jezebel who represented a false doctrine to continue to perpetuate in that church, with factions which promoted sexual immorality, evil vices etc.

Their real evil was that they were completely unrepentant.

Punishment
- God promised to put her/them on sickbeds
- He would put them through tribulation. Revelation 17
- The second death. Revelation 20:12-15
God does not want anyone to perish. He is looking for repentance and change. The ultimate goal why He would punish anyone   is so that others will take dressing and repent. 

When a wrong practice is going on, it should be addressed publicly to deter others. (1 Timothy 5:20)

How does this relate?
Historical era- It shows how evil progressed in the church, such as, the introduction of images and statues in the church.
Modern era- It shows the development of modern cults, rivalry, and various denominations with emphasis on works rather than prayer, faith, fellowship with God, etc.

ADVICE/COUNSEL (Rev. 2:24-25)
1 Tim. 4:1, Jude 1:3. Note: Depth of satan-he also has his doctrinal systematic textbooks. Jesus said; hold fast what you have till I come.

Questions we need to answer.
- What do you have that you know you should hold fast?
- What are you hearing, seeing and thinking?
- Who are you reading, hearing and watching?

LESSONS
- Stick to the truth, stick to the word of God, stick to the Bible, it is enough. 
 - Stick to faith in God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. The root of most of our problems is unbelief. Stick to His instructions. The answer to our prayers usually comes as instructions.
-  Learn spiritual contentment. Be content with what God has done.  Do not try to help God, don't become desperate for anything.
- Don’t live on past glory-Yesterday, today, tomorrow, your recent works.

The only way to maintain anything is to increase it.

ASSURANCE (Rev. 2:26-28)
These assurances are more of rewards awarded for what has been done. They are not things that will be gotten here but are part of what should come to us. These letters are revealing all the dimensions of Christ as we take note of them and apply them, our reward is sure.

Reward Promised
- Spiritual dominion
“...I will give power over the nations...” Rev 2:26, Ps. 2:8-9
- Spiritual illumination if they will overcome.
“...I will give him the morning star”. Rev. 2:28, Rev. 22:16

APPEAL
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. Rev 2:29

PRAYER
-I have ears and I hear.
-By faith I overcome, by the revelation of Jesus, I overcome.
1 John 5:4-5
- By the word of God, I overcome. 1 John 2:14.
- I take heed to God's word.
 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS (Revelation 2:12-17).

Live with eternity in view and not just for the now.

Address:  Rev 2:12
This letter was addressed to the church in Pergamos. It existed between Ad 314-590. The word Pergamos means marriage.

Identity
The church was identified as the compromising church with bad or evil surroundings. The church was known as the heretical church or incomplete church.

The city was situated in the political capital of Asia.  It boasted of ancient library antiquity belonging to the Romans and Greeks. It had the highest volume of ancient history. Parchments were first used there.

Attributes (How Jesus Introduced Himself)
Jesus introduced Himself as the One who has the SHARP TWO EDGED SWORD. In other words, He revealed Himself as the word of God to them. (Eph. 6:17).

The contention about this church was THE WORD. They had begun to embrace different doctrines other than Christ’s. Jesus came to address these wrong doctrines. His purpose was to get their attention back to Him because He is the living word. The word of God is quick and powerful, it has the ability to do anything it says. Heb. 4:12.

With the WORD, the intention of the heart can be searched out.

Approval/Commendation: Revelation 2:13

One key thing we have to note in reference to these letters is that God takes note of our works, He doesn’t delegate this. The real reward is not here. We have no continuing city here. And the only rewarder is God, not men. God is interested in our works; it is gripping also to note that God assesses everyone individually and not corporately.

He commended them for their steadfastness in spite of living in evil surroundings. They kept their faith though they lived in the city satan had taken as his temporary headquarters after the fall of Babylon. In this city, they worshipped among other objects, a serpent. Some believers here were murdered for their faith, e.g. Antipas-he lived and died for Christ.

Make sure at all times, you are not using other parameters to measure your progress except God’s. (See 2 Tim. 2:19) At all times, it is the word of God that should define how you should function, not the society.

Accusation/Condemnation
Jesus condemned them for the tolerance of corrupt doctrines and heresies.

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate”. Revelation 2:14-15.
Once there’s anything against you, don’t take it for granted. You can’t be tolerating what God hates and expect the blessing of the Lord.

The doctrine of Balaam (See Numbers 22-25:9). The New Testament makes reference to the doctrine of Balaam, the way of Balaam and the error of Balaam.

The way of Balaam-2 Peter 2:15. The way of Balaam is unrighteousness, full of covetousness. Everything is monetized-doing everything and anything for the sake of money. We can’t serve God and mammon.

The error of Balaam-Jude 1:11. He wrongly supposed a holy God would be forced to curse sinful Israel.

The doctrine of Balaam- He rightly concluded that if you cannot curse them, then corrupt them through sexual immorality and idolatry. Revelation 2:14.

In the church at Pergamos, some were practising the doctrine of the Nicolaitans – the Nicolaitans started off as a deed in Ephesus but progressed into a doctrine in the church at Pergamos. The doctrine approved things sacrificed to idols, and sexual immorality.

If we are not careful about our environment and the company we keep, we will start compromising the doctrine of scriptures.

The scriptures have already warned us to not sit in the seat of the scornful, nor take counsel from the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners. (Ex. 34:12, Psalm 1:1-2, Prov. 13:20, 1 Cor. 15:33, 1 Cor. 5:11, 2 John 1:10).

We struggle when we embrace evil doctrines because of wrong and evil company.

Constantine was the Emperor during this period and was instrumental in mixing the church and state. He made it fashionable to join the church and incorporated practices such as making the sign of the cross, praying for the dead, the doctrine of purgatory...and many more.

When churches are sponsored by the government they begin to compromise. 

Never use result as the basis for anything. The result may be right but the intention, the motive may be wrong.
We must separate the church of the day and the government of the day. Many churches today cannot uphold the truth because they are tied to the government.

Key Lessons
- The word of God remains the standard
- Mind your company (Proverbs 13:20)
- Know the borderline-define your boundaries, the type and kind
- Learn and master CONTACT without CONTAMINATION
-Trust in God come what may. Your location/environment is not an excuse to compromise.

Advice /Counsel: Revelation 2:16.
Repent or else I will come to you quickly…To repent is not just to regret or be remorseful but it means to change.

Assurance

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:17.

The overcomer is promised eating out of the hidden manner, will also be given a white stone which signifies a “victory stone” that only the recipient will know the name written on it.

The chief lesson is that no matter the environment you are in, it is no excuse not to live right for Jesus. The church in Pergamos lived in the headquarter of satan, yet God did not lower the standard for them, He will not lower the standard for us either.

PRAYER

I have ears and I hear

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death”. Revelation 2:8-11.

Address: The Church in Smyrna Ad 100-313

Smyrna means myrrh. It was an ingredient used both in the Old and New Testaments.

The product was used for embalmment (John 9:39), anointing oil (Exodus 30:23), (Psalm 45:8, SOS 3:6) used for heavenly perfume for the groom and bride.

Identity

The identity you may have before men may not be the identity you have before God.

-The church in Smyrna is known as the martyr church-a martyr is somebody who would rather choose to die than do away with strongly held belief.

- Also referred to as the persecuted church. Persecution means being subjected to unfair treatment because of your beliefs.

- Somebody who makes sacrifices or suffers greatly in order to advance a cause. Martyr also means witness.

Persecution: What you suffer or lose for righteousness sake, not for disobedience, rebellion, sin or incompetence.

- Also known as the poor rich church. In the eyes of men, the church looked poor but in the eyes of God, was rich. You are on the path of destruction when you use different parameters other than God’s to judge issues, events and circumstances etc. We must endeavor to use the scale of God to judge. They were poor outwardly but rich in faith and good works. By human and economic standards, they were poor but were rich in the sight of God. (Mark 8:36, Luke 12:13-21). If you are not careful, you will miss God by trying to live your life to meet the societal standard.

The City in Smyrna was a proud and beautiful Asian city that had allegiance to Rome and eager to meet the demands of Emperor Worship. It was a difficult city with Jewish population and it wasn’t easy to live there. Polycarp was the first and last bishop that existed there. It was celebrated for the school of science and medicine. The temple of Bacchus-god of wine existed there.

Attribute (Introduction)

Jesus revealed Himself as (Revelation 8:2) the First and Last, who was dead and came to life. First and Last here means there’s none beside Him, He’s all and all. He pointed them to the resurrection power, letting them know that He conquered death, so death is not an issue.

Approval (Commendation) Revelation 2:9

- He knew their works. Works cannot save but after you are saved, your works count. Your good works is not to be done to get the approval of men but for God’s. (See Jesus’ teaching on good works in Matthew 25:36-43). Stop looking for men’s approval of your works. Charity begins at home. Good works should start from the home. God takes account of our works. It matters to God about our good works.

- Spiritual endurance. The emblem of a good soldier is the ability to endure. (2 Tim. 2:3). The suffering/endurance is the sacrifices you need to make.

The church in Smyrna lived with eternity in view. Do not live for now. We are on a journey; this is not our resting place. (Col. 3:2, Matt. 10:39, 6:19-20, 19:28-30). There is no sacrifice too big to make in order to follow Jesus. Don’t compromise scriptures for anything because of immediate gratification when eternity is forever.

Historical fact:

About five million were killed for their faith. This would be over one hundred million in our day. They still stood for their faith and didn’t’ compromise.

- They were poor (by human standard) but rich (according to God’s standard) 2 Cor. 6:10-when you have Jesus, you have all.

They had suffered poverty for Christ. They were not poor because they were lazy, unskilled. As a matter of fact, prior to their conversion, many of the believers belonged to the labour league at that time. Thus, because of their newfound faith, many went bankrupt, their goods were burned, and they mounted pressure on them to change, but they stood their ground for Jesus.

What are you facing for Christ? What you may be losing now is nothing compared to what you will lose without Christ.

- They had opposition from outside and within-from Jews who were Jews by birth but bitterly opposed the truth. (See Romans 2:28-29, Titus 1:16, Ezek.33:31-32). In the midst of all these, they stood their ground. They had a revelation that the one who lived, died and rose again, was their Saviour-so they didn’t fear physical death or the persecutions they received. Jesus commended them for not bowing to the pressures against them.

Accusation (Condemnation)

They had none. Thus, it is possible to live above sin. Don’t make excuses for remaining in sin, lying, stealing. You chose to remain in these vices.

KEY LESSON

Don’t run from trouble, persecution, challenges, responsibility on your path of righteousness. Why? It purifies and perfects you. You will never come to maturity if the path God has carved out for you; you keep dodging and running away from it.

Advice (Counsel) Revelation 2:10

- Be fearless (Matt. 10:28, 2 Tim. 1:7) Don’t put anybody above God. He advised them not to give room to fear because fear is a spirit and satan uses fear to get to you. Don’t save out of fear or live out of fear. You can build a lifestyle of faith or a lifestyle of fear. (Revelation 21:8) The fearful cannot please God.

- Be faithful (1 Cor. 4:1-2) God expects faithfulness from us. He rewards faithfulness. (Matt. 24:45). If you are fearful, you cannot be faithful. (Rev. 17:14) 

Assurance (Promise) Revelation 2:10

- Jesus promised to give them the crown of life if they stayed true to following Him. (2 Tim. 4:6-8, James 1:12) Stick to the rules of engagement in order to obtain the crown.

- They will escape the second death (Matt. 10:39, Rev. 21:8)

Let life after now be real to you. Don’t let the present blur you from the future.

Smyrna’s faithfulness is rewarded by not letting their candlestick be removed from its place. There is still a remnant till this day, that the Turks who were unable to conquer Christianity labelled them “Infidel Smyrna”.

Appeal (Prayer) Revelation 2:11

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

It is important we remind ourselves that we have seen from the introduction, that the book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus to His Church. To each of the Churches Jesus revealed Himself in different ways, and when we put together these seven ways in which Jesus revealed Himself, it becomes the whole that we need in our time.

The Book of Revelation is divided into two parts. Revelation 1 to 3 is one part which is HISTORY, while Revelation 4 to 22 is another part, which is prophecy (Revelation 4:1). The Book of Revelation is actually meant to prepare us for persecution in the coming days. We may not want to talk about it but we cannot escape it.

"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: 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; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 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. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 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." Revelation 2:1-7

THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
Historical Background

This is the very first letter among the seven letters addressed to the Church in Ad30-Ad300 it means DESIRABLE. The account has it that it is the ‘loveless church’. It was also the leading Church of the group where Paul laboured of great success and the leading point of John’s ministry. 

Introduction
Revelation 2:1
Jesus revealed Himself to this Church as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand. He’s the one that walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Jesus’ introduction to this Church means that the Church of Ephesus was already losing focus off Him.
So the question we should ask ourselves as an assembly, as an individual is that, is He still our/my focus?

Approval
Revelation 2:2
Jesus said He knew their works, their labour, their patience. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.  By saying He knew their works meant God takes records. Jesus noted and commended their good works. He noted their sound doctrine by standing against the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans held impure and immoral doctrines, and that eating meat offered to idols was not evil.

This means that we have to watch the doctrine we have embraced
 
Accusation
Revelation 2:4, Proverbs 14:14, Matthew 24:12, Jude 21, Hebrew 10:38, Romans 12:11

Jesus had several things to commend about the Ephesians’ Church but also had something against them. "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love”. What Jesus had against them was the identity that was given to the Church “LOVELESS CHURCH”. This Church eventually got wiped away because of this one thing.

We need to pay attention to everything God is calling our attention to. Jesus has already told us that as we draw closer to the end, there will be more pressure on our love walk. There will be pressure for us to love less and begin to walk in unforgiveness. We can be in church and yet, drawing back. Pleasant times and pressure times can separate us from the Love of God.

Jesus’ accusation of this Church meant they were adhering to what is commonly accepted. The backsliding believer who is persistent in Church but his love is already growing cold. He’s losing spiritual touch and spiritual fervency. Activity is ongoing but fellowship does not exist.

Key Lessons
i. Where I was is not as important as where I am now. In other words, where I was is only relevant to where I am now if it has any bearing to my future. Don’t let where you were distract you or become a tool in the hand of the enemy to rob you of your future. Where you were is not as important as where you are now.

ii. Revelation 2:5, 1Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9, Song of Solomon 2:15. That one little is enough to spoil or destroy all. We need to look into our lives and find out that one thing that can rob us of so much and ‘deal with it’. We must stop using what God commends us about to justify that one little. iii. Don’t be a victim of the old prophet syndrome. We are boasting about what we did but are losing spiritual flavor by the day, we know the history of the Church but we don’t know the mind of God.

Advice
Revelation 2:5   
Jesus says to remember and repent from where we have fallen. We should call to mind where we have fallen. True repentance is not just saying I’m sorry or regret or be remorseful. However, true repentance involves regret and being remorseful. This is because you can repent and still go back to doing that same thing over and over again. If you are truly sorry/repentant, it requires a turning away, a change of action. What you are sorry about or repented of, you do not repeat. Repentance has fruits.

Assurance
Revelation 2:7, Luke 24:41-42, Matthew 26:29
There is an assurance to everyone that overcomes. Jesus says to him that overcomes He will give to eat of the tree of life. This tells us that even in our glorified state we will still be eating. Everyone must overcome for himself by taking heed to His counsel. We must not compromise our fellowship and walk with God for anything.  

Appeal
Jesus says he that has ear let him ear. If we give attention to His word, we will do His word.

Prayer
*I have ears and I hear. I remember and I repent.
*I overcome by faith, Hope, and Love
 

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES (Introduction)

This is not doing a study on the book of Revelation. We are simply looking at the letters to the churches contained in the first three chapters of the book. This study ought to be done routinely in the church for a spiritual check-up.

The book of Revelation is a part of the bible. You can read it, understand it and be blessed by it. Any church that does not have an understanding of the book of Revelation, cannot make a headway. The ruling number of this book is 7. The first few pages of the Bible reveals how satan gained control of the earth (as recorded in Genesis 1-3), and the last few pages (in Revelation) reveals how he will eventually lose control of it.

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The purpose of the book is not just to tell us what’s going to happen but to prepare us for what is going to happen. It is also to prepare us to face persecution and even martyrdom if need be.

The summary of the book is that Jesus won and overcame, we would win, and overcome.

Read Revelation 1:1-20. The book starts by saying, the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Vs 1- The word ‘Revelation’ simply means the UNVEILING or DISCLOSURE. So it is the unveiling or disclosure of Jesus Christ. 

It shows everything is all about Jesus Christ. If we claim to be a church and we do not find Jesus inside, it’s not a church. In 1 Cor. 2:2, Paul stated that when he came he "suffered not to know anything among them, save Jesus Christ..." The Church is all about Jesus. Anytime the church or a local assembly of believers is given a description outside of Christ, it has missed it. 

Vs 3 tells us that, it is those who read, hear the prophecies in the book and keep the word, that are the blessed ones. You are not blessed because you attend a vibrant church or because of the position you hold in the church. You are blessed because you are living in obedience to God's word.

Revelation 22:18-19- Any man, who is not encouraging you to look at the prophecies in this book, is doing you a disservice.

Until we take the responsibility to read, to hear and keep the words of the book, we are not serious. The average believer today does not give attention to God's word. 

Vs 4, 8 - "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty". Jesus Christ who is, who was, and is to come. - the past, the present and the future, so it tells this prophecy is relevant to the past, the present and the future

- The names stated here all have meanings: 

Vs 11- "saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4. Any believer who is losing hope is not conversant with scriptures. The prophecies in these books were not written to entertain us, but for our learning. The letters to the churches have a four-fold application. 

THE FOUR-FOLD APPLICATION OF THESE LETTERS

1. Revelation 1:4- "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia…" A local application to the churches in John’s day. It was a direct letter to the churches that existed in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey ) at that time.

2. The letter is relevant to the present day churches throughout the dispensations until Jesus comes. It reveals the spiritual condition of churches and individuals. It can be used to help make a true spiritual assessment and needed adjustments.

3. An individual application- so that individuals may be warned and profit from what they learn, by the failures of the seven churches. Although the letters were written to the churches, the exhortation, promises are personal.

4. It is prophetic in application and can further be broken into two, disclosing two phases of the spiritual history of the church.

1. It reveals a pattern that has been operated again and again through the centuries. The book is a history book given to us to take advantage of it

2. It reveals the progress of the spiritual state of the church until the end of the church age.

STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK

1. THE ADDRESS- The place where a person, an organization can be found and reached. This is very important. Your address can either blur or make your vision clearer. Your vision should define where you live. There are certain things you will never see if your address does not change. Every church had an address. 

2. THE ATTRIBUTES- How did Jesus reveal Himself to each church? He didn’t reveal Himself by His name but by titles. Each title reveals what that church has forgotten or needs to consider. In other words, Jesus used a unique title to reveal Himself in each letter to these churches. 

Key lessons

- The revelation of Jesus is very personal-Matthew 16:18.

- There is no basis and room for comparison between individuals or churches. 2 Cor. 10:12

- What God reveals is a pointer to what He wants to see and what He will judge. (We are privileged to have the seven letters and we need all to be perfected)

3. APPROVAL- These letters tell us, God takes records. In all the letters, Jesus kept saying, I KNOW YOUR WORKS. We are saved and justified by faith but will be rewarded according to our works. 2 Cor. 5:10

4. ACCUSATION- Two of the churches had no fault, so it is possible to live sinless, faultless, and above board.

5. ADVICE /COUNSEL- The Lord had counsel for every church. It was their failure to take the counsel that wiped them out. Let us maintain the right attitude towards counsel and advice.

6. ASSURANCE- In each letter, there is an assurance. The call to overcome is not addressed to the church as a whole but to each individual. This is because judgment is always personal whether for the purpose of reward or punishment.

7. APPEAL- The closing remarks in all the letters, shows that Jesus has an expectation from every church - "He that has an ears, let him hear…"

There is a reward awaiting every genuine seeker and follower of God. This reward is not what an unbeliever can get nor receive. This reward is more than physical, although it can produce physical things- it is more than that! Live your life conscious that there is a God taking note. Don't just labour for now. The REAL REWARD IS NOT HERE. Labour with eternity in view. What should guide you through life is the revelation of Jesus. This revelation is what should guide you in your dealings with every man.

PRAYER 

Isaiah 6:9-10- "And He said, Go, and tell this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."

Matthew 13:13-16- "…But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear”.

Blessed are my eyes for they see, blessed are my ears for they hear.

 

 

 

 

PROPHETIC UPDATES

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; (2nd Chronicles 7:13).

This was God replying Solomon directly. We have likened COVID before to a plague, pestilence, darkness. Plagues are not stopped by decrees. God was the one who sent plagues to Egypt. Plagues can only be stopped by repentance and adherence to God’s instruction for the hour and season. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you disobey God’s instruction, you become a victim of the plague.

We have also said before that the state of our land and our day is tied to the state of the Church. What we are experiencing now is a plague, it is darkness. There is a shaking going on, and God is shaking everything that is not of him. Anything that is not of God will go. Only those things that are of God will remain. God is saying we need total consecration to him. We are already talking about a second wave of COVID, and God is saying to the Church globally that what we need is a total consecration to him. This has nothing to do with portfolio or title. From our thoughts to our actions, anyone who is not totally consecrated to the Lord will be swept off.

God is not unfaithful. We cannot with corrupt hands, participate in corrupt acts and a new NIGERIA will emerge. God has said, let every one that is named by the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. The way out of where we are now is total consecration to the Lord. There is no sentiment about this. It has no regard for title or portfolio.

Lets not take the longsuffering of God for weakness. Neither should we take the mercies of God for granted. Every lifestyle, every thought pattern, every structure that is not of God, will not survive what God wants to do. If we are going to see the true God we must be a people who are totally yielded to God. Our true commitment to God should show in our true commitment to God’s word. The remaining days of 2020 is a window for every one of us to make amends. Let’s not take the mercies of God for granted.

The coming days will be more uncertain, the coming days will be more difficult, but for the righteous, it will be a different story. Except with total consecration, the light cannot shine. We all must measure up to God’s STANDARD from the Home to the Workplace and to the Church. If we do not learn our lessons now what we faced in 2020 will be worse in 2021.

The church must take a stand for God. The pulpit is not for politics or show. We must master how to take God to the world. We should take interest in what God has an interest in. In God's interest is our interest. If our thought and actions do not give glory to God, we lose!

PRAYERS

1. Hebrews 12:25 - Lord we ask for grace to serve you acceptably with reverence and godly fear

2. Lamentations 3:22, James 2:13, Hebrews 4:16 – O Lord have mercy over our day, over our nation, over our generation.

3. Lord we are at your mercy, and not at the mercy of the fears, the emotions of men, of our leaders, or devils.

4. Proverbs 21:1 - Lord by your outstretched hand and in your mercy turn the hearts of our leaders to do right.

5. Joel 2:17 – Lord we cry out, in your mercy;  spare your people.

 

                             CROSSOVER SERVICE

Rev 4:9-10, 5:13, 19:6. We should be grateful to God, that we are alive and here today. It's by the Lord's mercies we were not consumed, and we should not take it for granted.

My questions tonight:

1. How were we created? (By words)

2. How was the World formed? (By words)

3. How do we transact? (By words)

4. What did God leave with us? (His Word).

 

We are in a WORD war, and we transact by words. Lucifer wanted to overthrow God and it was by Words.  God stopped him by words. A man is blessed or cursed by words. We cannot deny that Satan exist because God told us about him in His words. We live and transact by words. Wars start by words. The only currency that God respects and honours is FAITH. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11: 6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 14:23b tell us that whatever is not of faith is sin. God told us in Habakkuk 2:4 that the just shall live by faith. We can only please and live for God by Faith. But it is important we know that faith only comes by WORDS, by hearing the word of God.  There is no faith without the word of God. In other words, we were made by words, we live by words, are sustained by words and we war by words: we are products of words. No wonder all of the letters that God wrote to the Churches in the book of Revelations ended with this same statement ”to him that has ears hears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.”  It is not enough to hear but who are we hearing? And what are we hearing? This forms and determines our experiences. This is because at the end of the day what is most important is the outcome of our lives. In Mark 4:24 Jesus said we should take heed, (be careful, give attention to etc) what we hear because we are a product of what we are hearing.

As we journey on in 2021, take heed what you are hearing. In Luke 8:18 - Jesus said, be careful how you hear. There is a difference between this and Mark 4:24. We must be sure that what we are hearing is correct and also how we hear.  This is so important because the outcome of our lives is a product of what we are hearing.

Everything is out there for us, so many things calling for our attention, but it is a choice. We can either fill ourselves with nonsense or be shut up with God in His words. It is a choice! There will be all kinds of struggles in our lives until we begin to hear God. It will get worse in the coming year. In Proverbs 4:20 God is saying to us to give attention to His words, it simply means that there is the possibility for us to give our attention to other words. God also says in verse 21 of Proverbs 4 to “incline our ears” God is saying to us to give attention to His words in the midst of several words. So many words are contending for our attention, and who has our attention has us. If our eyes and ears are not given to God’s words, there is no way it will be in our heart.

In the coming days, there will be more and more things calling for our attention. Anybody that will find life must give attention to God’s words. We give attention to God’s words by keeping our eyes fixed on God’s Words and our ears inclined to God’s words. God is saying here that life is found. We cannot be feeding on junks and want to have a healthy life. It is a choice to go to social media to spread God’s word or go there to spread rumours. If there is anyone thing we must do in 2021, it is to pay attention to God’s word in the minutest details. As we match into 2021, we must ask ourselves, what are the specific instructions given to us by God that are still hanging over our lives. These are not ordinary days so we must NOT make ourselves a dumping site for just any information or news. If we are going to find life and health in the coming days, thus says the Lord: give attention to my words.

The battle is getting fiercer and fiercer, and we are getting to the finishing line. Those that will survive these times are those that have built capacity through the word of God. We can be in Church but yet, not giving attention to the word of God. Where God found us is not the matter right now but our willingness to journey on with God. All that God has for us is His word. As we journey on in 2021, let's be deliberate in giving attention to the word of God. If there is a new year before us, then we need a new consecration to the word of God

PRAYER

1. LORD I give attention to the word

2. Hebrews 12:28 – As I match into 2021, I receive grace to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear

3. Psalm 40:8 – As I journey on in 2021, I commit to doing your Will Lord.

4. Psalm 20:21 – 2021 - I come and I enter in the name of the Lord.

5. Romans 8:8, 14 – 2021 I enter under the influence, government, and leadership of the Holy Ghost

6. 2021 I enter by the high way, the way of Holiness.

7. 2Corinthians 4:13 – I enter 2021 in God

8. Psa 100:4 - I enter 2021 in Thanksgiving to God

9. Psa 24:7 - 2021 open your gates to the king of Glory

10. Genesis 2:3 – we command every day of 2021 blessed and set apart for the glory of God