The Book of Revelation – Week Two
7 Letters to the 7 Churches (Revelation 2)
- Prayer and opening song
- Memory Verse last week: “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last. I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.”
(Revelation 1: 17-18)
III. Review/Preview: Last week we began reading the Book of Revelation, more properly entitled The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This revelation (Greek “apokalupsis” meaning “unveiling” or “disclosure”) was shown to the apostle John through visions, by an angel, and from Jesus Christ Himself. The gospels tell us the partial story of Jesus Christ; the Book of Revelation tells the “rest of the story” (which, really, is the “best of the story” as Jesus returns to earth to reign with His church & eventually make all things new!)
Just as Jesus openly declared the means and progression by which the gospel would go forth (“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the outer most parts” – Acts 1:8) so, too, does He clearly lay out the progression of His Revelation to John:
“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Rev. 1:19) Many pastors and commentators agree that verse 19 is the key to properly interpret the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Let’s use that key today… (see Study #1, ques. 6)
Let’s continue by reading all of Revelation chapter two
- “Angel” in the context of verse one can mean “messenger” or even “pastor”. If the letter was meant to be given to the pastor of the church, what does this tell you about the role/responsibility of a pastor in regards to leading the church under his care/watch?
- Ephesus was the religious and commercial center of Asia Minor. This is where Paul taught for two years. List its strengths and weaknesses
Strengths Weaknesses
- The church in Ephesus had many strengths, but the one thing that Jesus had against them is that they “had left their first love”. What does it mean to “leave your first love”? Why would this be such a big deal to Jesus? What might’ve lured them away? What’s the remedy?
- Jesus said that He also “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans”. The Nicolaitans were thought to be either a priestly order that was established over the people (much like the Pharisees) or a cult that taught that one must indulge in sin in order to fully understand it. Why would both of these so anger Jesus?
- If each of us were to apply the same criteria that was applied to Ephesus to ourselves, what would Jesus have to say to us?
I know your …….
Focus on verses 8-11
- The word Smyrna means myrrh and denotes suffering. List the strengths and weaknesses of the church of Smyrna
Strengths Weaknesses
- What strong words does Jesus use to describe the Jewish imposters?
- What words of comfort & encouragement does Jesus have for Smyrna?
- If each of us were to apply the same criteria that was applied to Smyrna to ourselves, what would Jesus say to us as individuals? As a church?
I know ……
Do not fear the …..
- What does it mean to “not be hurt by the second death” ? (v. 11)
Memory Verse for next week: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2: 11)