AWAKENING COMMUNITY CHURCH- SUNDAY SERVICE
THE REVELATION OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES
I.
WHY THE 7 CHURCHES MATTER
A. Revelation 1-3 is a unique and significant passage. In it, Jesus gives us more insight into
the revelation of His name and unveiling of His beauty than any other passage in
Scripture. This will prepare us for the glory and crisis in the end-time move of God as
seen in the book of Revelation. We must grow in revelation of these facets of Jesus’ heart
and ministry. We do this by studying and praying over these truths as we confess them to
God in faith to resist Satan’s attack.
B. These seven churches were real churches in Asia minor (modern day Turkey) that were
dealing with real issues in their midst, both positive and negative.
C. Jesus said in Matthew 13 that the “wheat” and the “tares” would grow up to full maturity
at the end of the age. The boldness, grace, and power resting on the early church is just the
beginning of the glory yet to be revealed on the church. In the same manner, the same sin
issues manifesting in the seven churches will be waging war the church globally at the end
of the age.
D. These letters show us the kind of Church that Jesus is building and what His agenda is. In
them, He defines love and relevance on His terms.
E. We get a glimpse at the glorified Christ without the veil of his lowly state in the gospels.
II.
JESUS’ PERFECT LEADERSHIP
A. In Revelation 2-3 we get a glimpse of how Jesus interacts and leads New Testament
churches. In these chapters have him addressing not just individual believers but
corporate gatherings of believers in cities.
B. We get the clearest picture of Jesus’ perfect and gentle leadership over the church. His
divine strategy is the quickest way to get the compromising church into fiery love and
comfort the faithful church in the midst of trial.
C. Jesus begins each address to the 7 churches with a revelation of Himself and an attribute
of his Person followed by his perfect evaluation of their corporate life which includes both
affirmations and rebukes and closing with a promises of specific eternal rewards for the
overcomers.
D. The promise of eternal rewards is meant to motivate the believer the diligence in
obedience knowing that every small yes in obedience and love to Jesus in this life will
count forever in the age to come. Revelation 2-3 has more specifically named eternal
rewards in than any other passage in the Bible. These rewards have to do with what we
will wear, where we will be positioned, and our assignments in the age to come.
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E. Jesus says over 18 things about Himself in Revelation 2-3. The greatest need of the church
in any situation and any season is a greater revelation of the Person of the Son of God.
F. Jesus declares these attributes to pull our gaze up to look at him. What we gaze and is
what we become. When we encounter Jesus and his nature we are transformed into the
very same image. The very things Jesus declared about Himself to each of the churches
are the very things that will release power in them to repent and overcome.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the
Spirit of the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 3:18
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that
is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the
right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2
G. Repentance is as much about saying YES and pursuing the knowledge of Jesus as it is
saying NO to sin. When we find the same sin issues or persecutions warring against us,
we can call on Jesus as He is revealed to each of the churches.
III.
18 DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BEAUTY OF JESUS
A. "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven
stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. - Revelation 2:1
1. him who holds the seven stars in his right hand- Jesus holds the seven stars the
leadership of the church in His right hand as He anoints, directs, protects, and delivers
them. This emphasizes His tender care and commitment to help. He is deeply involved
in the life and heart of the leadership of His Church.
2. who walks among the seven golden lampstands- Jesus walks among the
lampstands or in the Church. He is deeply involved with His people to help those who
desire to walk with Him as Adam walked with God in the garden.
They heard the sound of the LORD walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
Genesis 3:8
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20
3. When you feel inadequate in the task the Lord has assigned to you or need help in
repenting, you can confess that Jesus holds them in His right hand and walks with
them.
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The Revelation of Jesus to the 7 churches
Being confident…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…
Philipians 1:6
B. "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who
died and came to life. - Revelation 2:8
1. The words of the first and the last- Jesus is the “First,” as the uncreated God who
was before all things and the Creator who is the source of all goodness. He gave us all
that we may lose in persecution. He can give it to us again.
Jesus is the “Last,” or is the purpose and goal for all, as well as having the final word
on all things. We can be assured that all His promises will come to pass. The end of
His plan for our lives is in His hands. Jesus sees the end of the story and assures us
that there is something bigger going on.
2. who died and came to life- Jesus was “dead and came to life.” He experienced all
the pain involved in suffering a cruel death. He understands humanity and suffering,
and therefore He understands us, and can encourage all who suffer. Jesus possesses
power over death and knows the way to victory. He experienced the worst that men
can do to us and then triumphed over it. We do not need to fear martyrdom because we
live forever (Mt. 10:28).
C. "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp
two-edged sword. - Revelation 2:12
1. him who has the sharp two-edged sword- Jesus has a sword that is released by the
command of His mouth. He has zeal against that which opposes His people, whether
sin in the Church or evil governments that persecute the Church. Jesus will not be
silent but will surely intervene. Jesus fights for us by fighting against those things in
our life that are in agreement with darkness. Jesus will use the sword of His mouth to
withstand immorality and the Antichrist’s government at the end of the age. John
refers to Jesus’ sword five times (Rev. 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21); four times it is
designated the sword of His mouth. Hebrews tells us that the sword divides between
what is soulish and what is Spirit.
2. The Balaamites taught a perversion of liberty in grace. They taught that it was
okay to participate in the idolatrous feasts with their drunkenness and immorality.
Thus, some leaders in the church promoted the pagan feasts under the pretense of
Christian liberty. Antinomianism falsely teaches that since salvation is given as a gift
by faith, we do not need to walk in purity. Balaam advised Balak to get the Moabite
women to seduce the Israelite men with immorality (Num. 25) so that God would
judge Israel. Balaam was killed by the sword (Num. 22:23, 31; 25:5; 31:8).
D. "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has
eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. - Revelation 2:18
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1. The words of the Son of God- As the Son of God, Jesus emphasizes His deity and
power to withstand Jezebel’s immorality. Jesus will impart His holy fire to those who
open their heart to His. He will intervene with the fire of judgment to confront
immorality. His eyes like fire search out our heart.
2. who has eyes like a flame of fire- Jesus has eyes like a flame of fire that both
impart His holy love and judge what hinders love. He releases either the “fire of
grace” or the “fire of judgment” depending on if we respond to Him. In context to our
war against the spirit of Jezebel, Jesus will impart holy passion (Lk. 24:32; Acts 2:14), which includes convicting us of compromise, or He will release judgment on
immorality. The morning star is the brightest star in the sky (Venus) seen just before
the dawning of a new day. The Morning Star is Jesus (Rev. 22:16). A deep
relationship with Him is promised in v. 28.
3. whose feet are like burnished bronze- Jesus has feet like fine brass, which
symbolize judgment against sin. Jesus’ feet of bronze speak of His commitment as a
mighty warrior to trample over Jezebel in victory. Jesus will bring all His enemies
under His feet (Ps. 110). Our confession is that Jesus will gaze with the fire of grace
on our heart to awaken us in love and that He will tread on His enemy until she is
openly defeated.
E. …And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will
give to each of you according to your works. - Revelation 2:23
1. that I am he who searches mind and heart- Jesus is not just interested in what we
say with our mouths but what we are consumed with in out thoughts and affections.
F. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven
spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being
alive, but you are dead. - Revelation 3:1
1. him who has the seven spirits of God - Jesus has the seven Spirits; thus, He has
the authority to release the diverse ministries of the Spirit to the spiritually lethargic
saints at Sardis to fully revive them as they watch or develop a prayer life. The Spirit
resting on us refers to our relationship with Him, which grows by being with Him.
2. of him who has … the seven stars- Jesus has the seven stars (Rev. 2:1; 3:1). “He
holds the seven stars,” means for Him to be deeply involved in the life and heart of the
leadership. He will hold His people in His hands to make them bright like a star
because He is deeply involved in the life and heart of His people.
G. "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true
one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one
opens. - Revelation 3:7
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The Revelation of Jesus to the 7 churches
1. the words of the holy one- Jesus is holy. This has two primary applications: His
holiness as a man and as God.
a) As a man, Jesus lived set apart fully to obey the Father. He understands
what it means to walk out costly commitments among sinful people. He is a
sympathetic high priest.
8He
learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Heb. 5:8)
15For
we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)
b) As God, He is transcendent (wholly other than) or infinitely superior to all.
Therefore, He is worth whatever it costs to love and obey Him.
2. the true one- Jesus is true or reliable in giving the extravagant promises in v. 12
that seem too good to be true. He is also the Truth. He never exaggerates or makes
promises he doesn’t intend to fulfill. Truth is always revealed in his presence.
3. he who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no
one opens- Jesus has the key of David. He is the ultimate King in David’s lineage,
having authority over all the promises that God gave the son of David and that are to
be fulfilled in the millennial kingdom. For example, Jesus opens up the door to give
positions to the faithful in His eternal kingdom. Jesus has authority over the nations
now (Mt. 28:19). Jesus has the keys of the kingdom (Mt. 16:19) and keys over death
and Hades (demonic realms).
H. "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. - Revelation 3:14
1. the Amen- Jesus is the Amen because everything that he has said and has promised
he will complete it. He is in perfect agreement with the Father and is bringing forth his
eternal will through the ministry of intercession.
2. the faithful and true witness- Jesus is the complete and exact representation of the
eternal, invisible God to us. We can be sure that His witness to the name and the
nature of the Father is complete, lacking in nothing. We can know the Father because
we have seen the Son.
3. the beginning of God’s creation- Jesus is the beginning of the creation of God. He
is the beginning or first in cause and authority. The power and authority over all
creation begins with Him (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 1:8; 21:6). He is the uncreated
eternal God, like the Father and the Spirit.
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