Introduction: The Seven Churches

Revelation 1:1-20

INTRODUCTION AND BLESSING TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Revelation 1:1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants" [See Revelation 7:3-4] "things which must shortly come to pass; and he” [Jesus Christ] “sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” See Revelation 21:9 and Revelation 22:6.

Revelation 1:2: “Who” [John] “bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”

Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Explained in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, see Ephesians 1:13-14.

Revelation 1:4: “John to the seven churches which are in Asia:” [See verse 11] “Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;” [The Lord God] “and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;” See Revelation 4:5, 8.

Revelation 1:5: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead," [See Colossians 1:18] "and the prince of the kings of the earth." [See Revelation 19:16] "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” See Colossians 1:12-14.

Revelation 1:6: “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his" [Christ's] "Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  See Ephesians 1:5-6, 1 Peter 2:5, 9 and Revelation 5:10.

Revelation 1:7: “Behold, he" [Christ] "cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” See Matthew 24:30, 34 and John 19:33-34.

Revelation 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:9: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

THE ANGEL OF CHRIST SENT TO JOHN

Revelation 1:10: “I" [John] "was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”

Revelation 1:11: “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

Revelation 1:12: “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;”

Revelation 1:13: “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks” [See verse 20] “one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”

Revelation 1:14: “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;”

Revelation 1:15: “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”

Revelation 1:16: “And he had in his right hand seven stars:” [See verse 20] “and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:” [See Revelation 19:15] “and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Revelation 1:17: “And when I" [John] "saw him," [See verses 12-16] "I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”

Revelation 1:18: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” [See Romans 6:9] “and have the keys of hell and of death.” See John 5:20-29.

Revelation 1:19: “Write the things which thou hast seen," [See verses 12-18] "and the things which are," [The seven churches in Asia, Revelation 2:1 through Revelation 5:14 and Revelation 22:6-21] "and the things which shall be hereafter;” The prophecies concerning The Seven Seals, Revelation 6:1 through Revelation 22:5.

Revelation 1:20: “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels" [Messenger/leader] "of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

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Revelation 2:1-29

THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS

Revelation 2:1: “Unto the angel" [Messenger/leader] "of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;” See Revelation 1:12-13, 16.

Revelation 2:2: “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:”

Revelation 2:3: “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

Revelation 2:4: “Nevertheless I" [Christ] "have somewhat against thee," [The leader of the church of Ephesus] "because thou hast left thy first love." See Mark 12:29-31 and 1 John 4:16-21.

Revelation 2:5: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,” [Destroy the church, see Revelation 1:20] “except thou repent.”

Revelation 2:6: “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

Revelation 2:7: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” See Revelation 21:1-3 and Revelation 22:1-2.

THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA

Revelation 2:8: “And unto the angel" [Messenger/leader] "of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;" See Revelation 1:11, 18.

Revelation 2:9: “I" [Christ] "know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” See John 8:13, 42-45, 47 and 1 John 3:8, 10.

Revelation 2:10: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” See John 5:24.

Revelation 2:11: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” See Revelation 20:4, 6.

THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS

Revelation 2:12: “And to the angel" [Messenger/leader] "of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;” See Revelation 1:16.

Revelation 2:13: “I" [Christ] "know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.”

Revelation 2:14: “But I have a few things against thee," [The leader of the church of Pergamos] "because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

Revelation 2:15: “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

Revelation 2:16: “Repent;" [Example, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-13] "or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” See Revelation 19:21.

Revelation 2:17: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” See 1 Corinthians 3:9.

THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA

Revelation 2:18: “And unto the angel" [Messenger/leader] "of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;” See Revelation 1:14-15.

Revelation 2:19: “I" [Christ] "know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”

Revelation 2:20: “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee," [The leader of the church of Thyatira] "because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” See 1 Timothy 2:12-14, 1 Corinthians 14:34, Ecclesiastes 7:26-29 and Ezekiel 34:31.

Revelation 2:21: “And I" [Christ] "gave her" [Jezebel] "space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.”

Revelation 2:22: “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them" [Her followers] "that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they" [Jezebel and her followers] "repent of their deeds.”

Revelation 2:23: “And I will kill her” [Jezebel’s] “children with death; and all the churches" [The seven churches in Asia] "shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” See Jeremiah 17:10.

Revelation 2:24: “But unto you" [The leader of the church of Thyatira] "I say, and unto the rest" [The congregation] "in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they" [Jezebel and her followers] "speak; I will put upon you none other burden.”

Revelation 2:25: “But that which ye" [The faithful followers of Christ] "have already hold fast till I come.” See Revelation 22:11-12.

Revelation 2:26: “And he" [The Servants of God] "that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” See 1 John 3:1-2 and Revelation 20:4.

Revelation 2:27: “And he" [The Servants of God] "shall rule them" [The nations] "with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”

Revelation 2:28: “And I" [Christ] "will give him the morning star.”

Revelation 2:29: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” See verses 7, 11, 17.

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Revelation 3:1-22

THE CHURCH OF SARDIS

Revelation 3:1: “And unto the angel” [Messenger/leader] “of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he" [Christ] "that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;” [See Revelation 1:16] “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Revelation 3:2: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things" [Those in the church of Sardis] "which remain," [In Christ] "that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

Revelation 3:3: “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard," [The gospel of Christ] "and hold fast, and repent." [See Hebrews 10:32-38] "If therefore thou” [The leader of the church of Sardis] “shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” See Mark 13:34-37 and Matthew 24:48-51.

Revelation 3:4: “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”

Revelation 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I" [Christ] "will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” See Revelation 6:11, Revelation 7:9, 13-15 and Matthew 10:32.

Revelation 3:6: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17.

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Revelation 3:7: “And to the angel” [Messenger/leader] “of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he” [Christ] “that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;” See Isaiah 22:22.

Revelation 3:8: “I know thy" [The messenger/leader's] "works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Revelation 3:9: “Behold, I" [Christ] "will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

Revelation 3:10: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” See 2 Peter 2:9.

Revelation 3:11: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” See Revelation 22:11-12.

Revelation 3:12: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Revelation 3:13: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17.

THE CHURCH OF LAODICEANS

Revelation 3:14: “And unto the angel” [Messenger/leader] “of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” See Colossians 1:15-18.

Revelation 3:15: “I" [Christ] "know thy" [The messenger/leader of the church of the Laodiceans] "works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”

Revelation 3:16: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Revelation 3:17: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” See Matthew 6:24.

Revelation 3:18: “I" [Christ] "counsel thee" [The messenger/leader of the church of the Laodiceans] "to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness" [Sin/lukewarm] "do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

Revelation 3:19: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:" [See Zechariah 13:7-9 and Hebrews 12:6-8] "be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” See John 14:23.

Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,” [See Matthew 25:31 and Revelation 20:4] “even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” See Colossians 3:1.

Revelation 3:22: “He that hath an ear," [Understanding] "let him hear" [Understand] "what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” See Revelation 2:7, 11, 17.