The Book of the REVELATION
CHAPTER
3
3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis
write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven
stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art
dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things
which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect
before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast
received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not
watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will
come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in
5. The Message to
INTRODUCTION
Each
letter has a 3 fold message
1-to the church in John’s day
2-applicable to the church in
all ages
3-representing dispensations of time
About
The only entrance was steep and difficult to climb yet
they were invaded successfully twice
Coins were first
minted in
The name “
Dispensation 1500
AD - 1800 AD
The time after the Dark Ages known as the Reformation
a. Unto the Angel
Messenger of
b. Matt 13 Parables Parable of the hidden treasure vs 44…. Hidden truth and treasure.
c. Feature of The Glorified Christ
7 Spirits 7
attributes of the Holy Spirit Isaiah
11:2
1-Of the Lord 2-wisdom 3-understanding 4-counsel
5-might 6-knowledge 7-fear of
God
7 Stars Control of the Messengers
d. Commendation Given
1. I know thy Works -Some are genuine
some are dead, works without the Spirit, dead
John Calvin, Martin Luther, Wycliff, Knox, Bunyon, Wesley all broke from false doctrinated Roman church
Martin Luther, 95 theses nailed to doors of Roman Church in Wittenburg Germany 10-31-1517.
These
men fought the Roman teaching that the Pope was infallible (Heb 7:25-27)
e. Condemnation Given
Reformation a divine work of the Holy Spirit
Powerful movement in beginning but did not maintain it’s
spiritual emphasis.
Strong Protest against error weakened by failure to
possess the fullness of truth
concerning Christ
No complete break from Roman Catholic Church- “works
not perfect before God”
Practices, ideas, traditions,unscriptural doctrines
from Roman Church incorporated
Example: 1- infant baptism for salvation (Romans 6)
2-adults
saved by baptism (I Cor 15:34)
“Thou
Hast a Name That Livest But Thou Art Dead”
Band-Aid
courses for believers, rules and regulations (II Tim 3:5)
Lost
Authority of the WORD OF GOD
Spiritual
Slumber -Alive in name only
More pleasure in world than in a prayer meeting
Size
or beauty of building (mans view but God sees the heart of the church)
Todays
great World Church Council
Todays
breakdown of versions of the Bible to promote worldly doctrine
f.
The Call
Remember Hold Fast & Repent
Be
watchful-don’t sleep
remember this city was easily defended, but slept and was invaded twice
Some
undefiled ---- a remnant….. cited “WORTHY” by God thru the blood
g. Promise to the Believer
Overcometh
- by the blood of Christ
White
raiment- righteousness of Christ
Not
Blotted Out (There are 2 books)
1-book
of the generation of Adam-Gen 5:1
List of those for whom Christ died
2-book
of the generation of Jesus - Matt
1:1
List of those who have accepted Christ
Can
you loose salvation ? NO (Heb 6:4-6)
1-promise
your name will not be blotted out
(eternal security)
2-Book
of Adam- opportunity given to be saved,
those who
reject Christ are blotted out
3-Book
of Jesus Christ-Those who receive Christ as Savior
Names are confirmed in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Jn 10:28,29 Mt 10:32,33)
h.
Warning to Hear
Hear
the Spirit
Open Ear, Open heart, Open Soul and Open Eye keenly seeking God’s face
This church had power, as it reformed, but lost it by incorporating false doctrine.
Are we making a spiritual
impact on the world around us ??
Do we possess the Spirit of God and His Power
Remember God’s power left Samson and Samson did not know
it.
7 And to the
angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he 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;
8 I know thy 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. 9
Behold, I 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. 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which
thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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. 13 He
that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
6. The Message to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA:
THE TRUE CHURCH
Background
Philadelphia means the church or city of “brotherly
love”, exists today as Alashehir
The only churches (cities), of the 7 mentioned,
existing today are Smyrna and
Philadelphia which are the only 2 cities which received
no condemnation
Dispensation 1600 until the rapture of the church
a. Unto the Angel
The messenger to Philadelphia
b. Matt 13 Parables
Vs 45,46 The pearl of great price Christ gave all he had for the church
c. Feature
of the Glorified Christ
Holy Birth Luke 1:35 : Death and resurrection Acts 2:27: As priest Heb 7:26
True John 14:6 “I am the way, the
truth and the life
Key
of David Is 22:22 His rulership,authority & millenial reign (His lineage w/David)
He that openeth and no man shutteth (Noah & the ark as it filled and shut by God)Gen7:16
He
that shutteth and no man openeth (Matt
25:1-13 Ten Virgins)
d.
Commendation
1-I
know thy works 1-Fruit &
2-Zeal This is a Revived Church
2-An
open door Men like
Moody,Finney,Spurgeon used this door
3-Hast
a little strength Power
thru trials
4-Kept
My Word (KJV 1611)
Authority of His Word and obedience
5-Not
denied my nam Deity of Christ
and Stay Faithful to Him
e. No
Condemnation Given a Bible Believing
Church
f. The Call
Synagogue of satan to worship at thy feet (Romans 16)
To know that I have loved thee
Keep thee from temptation (II Pet 2:9)
I come quickly-THE RAPTURE Church will not see Tribulation (I Thes 4:13-18) (Enoch)
Hold fast, No
man take thy crown-reward soon to be
laid at His feet
g. Promise to The Believer
Overcometh
(I John 5) Make a Pillar- represents
honor, support and beauty
Go
out no more
1-Write the name of my God -Ownership
2-City of My God -Home,
Heavenly Citizenship
3-My New Name -Personal
relationship (co-heirs w/Christ)
h. Warning to Hear
Hear the Spirit as He speaks to the Church
14 And unto the angel of the church of the
Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creation of God; 15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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: 18 I counsel thee 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 do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with
eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be
zealous therefore, and repent. 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. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit
with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father
in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches.
7. The Message to Laodicea
LAODICEA THE
SATISFIED CHURCH
Introduction
Laodicea means
“people ruling”
Located in the valley and had a problem getting water
Built an aqueduct to bring cold water from the mountains
Brought in hot water from the valley of hot springs
*
By the time the water was brought in it was lukewarm and nauseating
Had a medical school, wealthy bankers and textiles
Dispensation
1800AD-Rapture
a. Unto the Angel
Unto the
messenger of Laodicea
b. Matt 13 Parables
Vs 47-50 the
parable of the net. Christ will separate good and evil
c. Feature of the Glorified Christ
Amen The
last word, reliable & certain “so let it be”
Faithful
& True Witness He will Reveal & tell all “can’t
deceive Christ”
Creator Col 1:15-18
(He is the first word, He is creator)
d. Commendation
No commendation
given
e. Condemnation
I Know thy works What
a shame
Neither
hot nor cold Lukewarm and
makes God sick
Rich Need of
nothing
Increased
with Goods Wretched, miserable, poor,
blind and naked
Large memberships, prominent people, huge attendances,
generous giving
Ornate Buildings
Talk spiritual values but the Word of God is ignored
Easy to criticize & no compassion from the heart
Big budgets, booming banquets, beautiful buildings but
few baptisms
Guilty of the sin of indifference and the sin of tolerance
Stop
preaching “churchanity”& “do what feels good” start preaching “thus saith
the Lord”
f. The Call
The counsel of God (buy without money Isaiah 55)
Buy
gold tried in the fire Faith
in the blood (rich)
White
Raiment Righteousness
of Christ (clothed)
Annoint
Eyes Leadership
of the Holy Ghost (see)
As
Many as I love Rebuke
& Chasten (Heb 12:8)
Be
zealous and repent
Now
He is on the outside knocking.......He was in the midst
Hear
His knock and voice, open and come dine with Jesus
This church had not lost it’s first love but had left
it. Therefore they must repent!
g. Promise to the Believer
Overcometh- By
the blood of Christ
Sit
on the throne with Christ Even as Jesus
overcame .....Jn 16:33
h. Warning to Hear
Hear the Spirit
as He speaks to the church
The signs are pointing to His RETURN for the Church