Jesus’ Letters to His Church Part I

This is Part I of the outline for a two-part message I have presented during recent pulpit supply engagements at two churches.

Jesus’ Letters to His Church

(Rev 1:19 – 3:22)

Part I

Rev. 1:18-19 - Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

· Jesus is speaking to the apostle John

· John is in exile on the island of Pergamos, west of Asia Minor, now western Turkey

· John was exiled during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian in approx. A.D. 96 during an empire-wide persecution of Christians

· Jesus gives John seven epistles for the seven churches in Asia Minor, and to the Church of Jesus Christ as a whole

· Jesus addresses several areas of concern for each church in each epistle:

· Commendations
· Admonitions
· Consequences of obedience
· Consequences of disobedience
· Imperatives

II. The Church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)

Commendations

· Good works
· Patience
· Intolerance of evil
· Scriptural analysis of teaching

Admonitions

· Church has left its first love

Consequences of Obedience

· Salvation
· Heaven
· The Tree of Life

Consequences of Disobedience

· Church will be taken away

Imperatives

· Repent
· Overcome

III. The Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)

Commendations

· Good works
· Suffering tribulation
· Material poverty, but spiritual richness

Admonitions

· None

Consequences of Obedience

· Crown of Life
· Salvation

Consequences of Disobedience

· None

Imperatives

· Hear
· Overcome

III. The Church in Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17)

Commendations

· Faithfulness in persecution

Admonitions

· Toleration of idolatry
· Toleration of apostasy

Consequences of Obedience

· Hidden manna
· White stone with a new name written upon it

Consequences of Disobedience

· Jesus will come and fight the heretics with the sword of his mouth

Imperatives

· Repent
· Hear
· Overcome