Let's see if we can get this started: I left off at the beginning of the 7 churches. Remember a few things about these passages:



There will always be: (a) Commendation; (b) Condemnation; (c) counsel; and (d) challenge to the church.



Church 1:

Ephesus

Commendation: God knows their works. They have labored and were patient.

Condemnation: They left their first love. God was not being put first in their lives. (Sound familiar?)

Quote: To come to Christ costs nothing; to follow Christ costs something; to serve Christ costs everything!

Counsel: Remember from where they had fallen; repent; do the first works (what were they called to do by Christ?)

Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!



Church 2: Smyrna

Commendation: That there is no condemnation! He knew their works and the tribulations.

Counsel: Fear nothing and be faithful

Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!



Church 3: Pergamum

Commendation: Christ knew their works and where they were living and that they had held fast His name and had not denied the faith. They lived in a place where Satan's throne was evident.



Condemnation: Some of the people held to the teaching of Balaam! Doctrines of evil

Challenge: To overcome and He would give them hidden manna and a white stone with a new name!

Note: Have you ever been in a place that you just "felt" the evil? That's what this place was ... a terrible place to be. This place was satan's headquarters.

Are you tolerant? Do we need to be tolerant of everything? I don't think so. We can get into real trouble when we tolerate everything and just say that we're being tolerant because we're Christians. Be careful of staying friends with someone or in a job in the name of "witnessing". You might get caught!

Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; EACH ONE LOOKING TO YOURSELF, LESS YOU TOO BE TEMPTED.

In v 17 a white stone is mentioned ... this is very cool! In ancient times a white stone meant acquittal. If a man had been tried by a court, the jurors published their vote by laying down a white stone, thus signifying that they had freed him of the charge.

another example is that when you were invited to a banquet by the King, you were sent a white stone with the king's inscription on it. You had to have this stone to get into the banquet. What a beautiful illustration ... we hold the white stone in order to get into the King's banquet.

Because of Christ, we receive a white stone of acquittal with a name upon it that is unknown to men. Eternal acquittal!!!!

Church 4: Thyatira

Commendation: I know your works and love and service and faith and patience!

Condemnation: They tolerated an attitude of ungoliness invading the church through women! Jezabel worshipped Baal and thereby followed false teaching.

Women are natural teachers ... we constantly teach our children. We must be careful in our teaching and make sure we are correct and in tune with the Holy Spirit!

Judgment: The death referred to in this scripture is possible the "second death" when all nonbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire.

Counsel: Hold fast until I come

Challenge: Keep the works to the end! They would receive power.


Church 5: Sardis

Commendation: (such as it is) They had a name or reputation for themselves. People had heard and were apparently impressed with this church.

They had done nothing for today ... all for yesterday. What is your testimony today? Is the same as it was yesterday? I hope not.

Condemnation: YOU ARE DEAD!

Counsel: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die!

Warning: If you don't wake up, Christ will come like a thief in the night, taking from you in secret what you have!

To the faithful ... their garments were not soiled and they will walk with Christ, in white! They are worthy!

Challenge: To him who overcomes! I will not blot his name out of the book of life. This could possibly be the book once all believers have been removed by the Rapture.

It is possible to have one's name taken out of the Book of Life for three reasons:

1. Sinning against God Exod 32:33
2. Not being an overcomer (putting your trust in Christ) 1 John 5:1-4
3. For taking away from the words of the prophecy of Rev. 22:19


Church 7 Philadelphia

Commendation: The doors of opportunity were open for the proclamation of the Gospel
But they had little strength ... small congreations.

They kept the Word! They also obeyed it! They did not deny the name of Christ.

Counsel: Behold I come quickly and they will have a crown!

Challenge: God will make a pillar in the temple of God. Stability. Again, a new name !

WHY A NEW NAME? FOR CHRIST, IT IS THAT THERE WILL BE NAME THAT NOBODY HAS EVER KNOWN BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE BLASPHEMED OR CURSED! NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO CURSE THAT PRECIOUS NAME ANY MORE!


Church 6: