The study of the book of revelation that you must study

The seven Churches in the book of revelation

1. 7 Churches - Prophecy

2. Format of the Messages 1. Address – Angel (messenger) in the church in_______ 2. The words of … Description of Jesus Christ 3. Appraisal of the church 4. Words of counsel 5. Listen to what the Spirit says 6. Promise to the overcomer

3. Ephesus 3rd wealthiest city in Roman Empire Temple of Diana Treasury of safe deposit Wonders of ancient world Temple prostitutes Right of asylum Magical arts, Acts 19:19

4. Ephesus 31-100 AD New Testament church persevered, did good works, and preached the gospel in many new places Rejected false teachers Model for all reform movements However, abandoned first love

5. Ephesus

6. Ephesus Library

7. Amphitheater at Ephesus

8. Paul in Ephesus

9. Nicolaitans Irenaus – 2 nd Century minister near Ephesus Claimed to be Christians, but they considered it “ a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. ” Christians that don ’ t obey 10 commandments

10. Smyrna - Izmir Seaport Cultural center for science, medicine, politics, religion Wealthy and beautiful Center of emperor worship

11. Smyrna 100-313 AD Main thing Christ commended Smyrna for was their endurance under persecution Rev. 2:9 – Jews “ who say they are…but are not ” – during that time there were many Christians known as ‘ Gnostics ’ that rejected many Bible truths Ten days – 303-313 AD, Diocletian persecution Persecution sporadic during this time

12. Smyrna - Izmir

13. Smyrna Port

14. Christianity 100-313 AD Expressed Christianity in Greek philosophical terms Centers of Christianity developed – Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Rome Works of “church fathers” respected Gradual usage of images in worship Theological disagreements began to arise

15. Pergamum Compromise, church and state (Jesus has double-edged sword) 313-538 Capital of Roman province in Asia Religious center, 4 temples to pagan gods Government, cultural center Imperial cult of emperor worship Center of healing

16. Altar of Zeus – Berlin Museum

17. Asclepius – God of Healing

18. Asclepion – Place of Healing

19. Pergamum Vs. 13 Throne of Satan Zeus – king of the gods Asclepius represented by a serpent Rev. 12:9 Satan the ancient serpent Vs 13 Antipas my faithful witness Christian martyr Tradition - burned to death You remained true-holding the teachings

20. Pergamum (313-538) Christ is pictured as having a “ two-edged ” sword – Bible (Eph. 6:17) During this time the church began to stray from the teachings of the Bible

21. Pergamum (313-538) Balaam (Numbers 25:1-9, 31:16) Was going to curse Israel for a bribe from king of Moabites Led the Israelites into sin Got involved in politics and business

22. Pergamum (313-538) Constantine became a Christian and made the Roman Empire “ Christian ” Became political – example: Sabbath to Sunday for political convenience

23. Pergamum (313-538) God calls them to repent Otherwise He will come and fight against them with “the sword of my mouth” Reward: Manna, white stone with new name

24. Thyatira Middle ages to 1500 ’ s Non-biblical religious practices Smallest, least important of 7 churches Trade guilds, not wealthy city Royal purple and woolen goods Lydia from Thyatira, Acts 16:14

25. Thyatira This church did do many good works – better at the end than at the beginning Most hospitals, orphanages and schools at the time were sponsored by the church

26. Thyatira (538-1560) However, Christ has eyes “ like a flame of fire ” and is walking among the churches He knows the true condition of the church

27. Thyatira (538-1560) Church tolerated Jezebel (1 Kings 16-21) Pagan queen that married Ahab and became queen of Israel – brought her own priests and led the Israelites to practice pagan rituals

28. Thyatira (538-1560) Christian church during this time: 1. Made pope “ God on Earth ” 2. Changed Sabbath to Sunday 3. Legalized worship of images 4. Gave indulgences for forgiveness of sin 5. Taught eternally burning hell and purgatory 6. Didn’t publish Bibles for common people 7. Got seriously involved in politics 8. Sanctioned torture as legitimate tool of church

29. Thyatira (538-1560) 2:21 – “ time to repent ” – 1260 years of Daniel 7 Calls for reformation were made through general councils, monasteries, Francis of Assisi, Huss, Waldenses, and finally Martin Luther Council of Trent (1545-1563) – some changes made, but basically same theology remained as in Middle Ages

30. Thyatira (538-1560) 2:22 – “ sickbed ” 1320 – biggest famine of Middle Ages in Europe Black death – 1350 ’ s – 40% of Europe died 100 year War – 14 th -15 th England – France – introduced modern weaponry 1618-1648 – 30 Year ’ s War – Catholics and Lutherans – 10 out of 18 million people in Germany alone died!

31. Thyatira (538-1560) 2:23 – Jesus talks about the judgment – which is soon to start 2:24 – Not all held to these doctrines – they needed to just remain firm (Huss, Wycliffe, Milic, Waldenses, etc.)

32. Fight Against With “Sword of Mouth”

33. Contributions of Muslims – Middle Ages 1. Called Christians to return to simple act of worshipping God – “spirit of compassion” – said some were “apostate” 2. Saved ancient Greek and Hebrew: Bible 3. Provided refuge for dissident Christian groups 4. Aided Protestant movement 5. Had culture of learning, education

34. Thyatira (538-1560) Reward: the people that overcome during this time will RULE with Christ – they will have power over those who persecuted them

35. Sardis

36. Sardis

37. Sardis

38. Sardis 3:1-6 Protestant reformation to loss of fervor 1500-1700s Lifeless church 550 BCE Sardis had been a great city King Croesus “ as rich as Croesus… ” Vitality, a force in the world Now living in the past, not the present

39. Sardis Temple dedicated to Cybele Restore the dead to life Oracle of Cybele – answers to questions No commendation for Sardis Vs 2 Wake up, strengthen what remains Spiritually dead, Holy Spirit is absent Church with no answers Your works are not complete

40. Sardis 1560-1740 From 1520-1560 – there was a huge renewal of knowledge of the Bible in Germany and all over Europe that stemmed from the ministry of Martin Luther

41. Sardis (1560-1740) However, after Luther ’ s death they became lifeless and stagnant and mainly argued about theology Melancthon, Luther ’ s closest friend, was glad to meet death to escape the “ rage of the theologians ” - 1560

42. Sardis (1560-1740) They had a “ name ” but were largely “ dead ” They needed the Holy Spirit (3:1) People only attended church and emphasis was on the ‘ correctness ’ of belief, not on practical Christianity

43. Sardis (1560-1740) Example: England in early 1700 ’ s – amusements were vile, illiteracy widespread, law savage in it ’ s enforcement, jails were centers of disease and iniquity and drunkenness was more widespread than at any other period in its history.

44. Sardis (1560-1740) 3:3; If they don ’ t repent, Jesus will come like a thief – sign of the approaching of the second coming and judgment

45. Sardis (1560-1740) 3:4 – There are some that have not soiled their clothes John Calvin and his followers -Reformed Christians (Central Europe) -Huguenots (France) -Puritans (England and America)

46. Sardis (1560-1740) 3:5 – Is a picture of the approaching judgment – Christ will give us His righteousness and be our advocate in the judgment

47. Philadelphia Rev. 3: 7-13 Late 1700s through 1900s Protestant awakening Youngest of 7 churches Prosperous city on the imperial road Gateway to the east Exported Greek culture and language

48. Philadelphia 3:8-10 Church with great opportunity Open door for preaching the gospel Little power (of yourself) Zech. 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit Kept my word, did not deny my name No compromise or apostasy Vs 10 patient endurance, Rev. 14:12

49. Philadelphia 1740-1850 AD Have kept God ’ s Word, not denied the faith, and have endured patiently This was a time of religious revival in England, parts of Europe and America

50. Philadelphia (1740-1850) John and Charles Wesley – Methodists George Whitefield – Great Awakening – Baptists France reacted against French Revolution William Carey – missionary to India Most mission and Bible societies were started during this period William Miller, James and Ellen White

51. Philadelphia (1740-1850) 3:8 - Open door which no one can shut 1844 – Daniel 8:14 – Jesus went into the Heavenly sanctuary to begin the investigative judgment

52. Philadelphia (1740-1850) 3:9 – False “ Jews ” – it was during this time that the 1260 day prophecy ended and the Catholic church turned into an almost extinct church Protestantism had won

53. Philadelphia (1740-1850) 3:10 – They will be kept from the hour of trial – Jesus is coming soon This period would end right before the very end of time and the second coming

54. Market in Laodicea

55. Heirapolis across the Lycus River Valley

56. White Cliffs at Heirapolis

57. Sacred Pool

58. Terraced Pools

59. Plutonium – entrance to Hades

60. Water pipes from Heiraplois

61. Laodicea Rev. 3:14-22 End time church Commercial and financial center Black wool in garments and carpets 60 CE city devastated by earthquake City refused help and rebuilt itself Medical school – treatment of eye diseases Eye slave

62. Laodicea Jesus is a faithful witness and he won ’ t lie There is nothing good about this church! They think everything is fine – but it is actually just the opposite – they are about to die

63. Laodicea Vs. 15 Neither cold (icy) nor (hot) Hierapolis mineral hot springs 6 miles away Used for sick Aqueduct to Laodicea – lukewarm Bath in it, not good to drink or for the sick Vs 16 Spit (vomit) you out of my mouth Vs 15 I wish you were hot or cold!

64. Laodicea Not condemned for apostasy or heresy No serious sin No compromise No persecution Vs. 17 I am rich, wealthy, need of nothing Self-satisfied

65. Laodicea God ’ s view - wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked Vs 18 Remedy – Buy! Isa. 55:1 Buy without money Give up their self-sufficiency and pride Gold refined by fire White garments Eye salve

66. Laodicea (1850-present) During this time period – the zeal of the original reformers faded Materialism crept in Bible knowledge decreased Strange new doctrines about 2 nd coming Hostility to 7 th day Sabbath Evolution was half-hearted accepted

67. Laodicea Gold refined by fire 1 Peter 1:7 Faith which has been tested and purified White garments Rev. 19:8 Righteous deeds of the saints Rev. 7:14 Robes washed in the blood of the Lamb Isa. 61:10 He has wrapped us with a robe of righteousness Christ ’ s saving righteousness

68. Eye Salve Eye salve to see Ps 119:18 Open my eyes that I may behold See true condition John 16:8-11 Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment Luke 11:13 Holy Spirit given to those who ask Gal. 5: 22, 23 fruit of the Spirit

69. Discipline and Invitation Vs 19 Those whom I love I reprove and discipline Vs 20 I stand at the door and knock Open our lives and eat a companion meal Develop a relationship Laodicea had put Christ outside of their lives and the church

70. To Rule With Christ Vs 21 May sit with Christ on his throne Eph. 2:6 God has seated us with Him in the heavenly places with Christ

71. Laodicea (1850-present) 2 Tim. 3:1,5 – “ last days ” there would be people “ having the form of godliness, but denying the power of it ” Matt. 25:1-13 – ten virgins

72. Laodicea (1850-present) Luke 18:8 – When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Do you want to sit on the throne with God in His new kingdom?