The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)

1. Affirmation (v.8)
2. Earth-bound promises (vv.9-10)
3. Exhortation (v.11)
4. Heaven-bound Promise (vv.12-13)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia.  Philadelphia, like Smyrna, was a healthy church.  Therefore, Jesus did not speak words of rebuke, correction, and warning but words of affirmation followed by promises that were designed to encouraged and inspire them to stay their faithful course.  Jesus promised to help them triumph and endure the sufferings of this life and to lavish blessing on them in the next life if they conquer, that is, if they continue in patient endurance to the end.         

Main Point:  All churches and Christians are called to conquer, that is, to patiently endure suffering and trials though faith-filled obedience to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• Is v.7b an accurate, one-sentence summary of John's vision of Jesus in 1:12-20? Explain. 
• What is the church of Philadelphia affirmed for in v.8?
• What is the relationship between keeping Jesus' word and not denying Jesus' name?
• How is it possible that Philadelphia had "little power" yet was considered a healthy church?
• What earth-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.9-10)? What effect are they meant to have?
• Jesus exhorted Philadelphia (v.11)? Why do even healthy churches/Christians need such exhortations?
• What heaven-bound promises did Jesus give (vv.12-13)? What effect are they meant to have?
• What promise is particularly meaningful to you right now and how might you use it as motivation to patiently endure in the midst of your present circumstances?
• What form does conquering take in the first five churches? How about for Philadelphia?

Application Questions:

• What am I clinging to in order to make it through? What does this reveal about my heart?
• How am I obeying God's word in the midsts of my circumstances? 
• What is it going to take for me to patiently endure to the end?
• How is my weakness an opportunity for God to show His power? (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10)
• What brother or sister is currently in special need of endurance? What can I do to encourage them? 

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for using His loving authority to open and keep open the door of salvation to us
• Praise Jesus for His power and acknowledge His ability help us endure in the midst of trials
• Ask God to help us not be disheartened by our weakness but to trust all the more in His power 

The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. Rebuke (vv.1-2)
2. Correction (vv.2a, 3a)
3. Warning (v.3b)
4. Promise (vv.4-5)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis.  From man's perspective, the church in Sardis was a success, but, for God's perspective, they were spiritually sluggish and therefore in great need of a wake up call.  In fact, Jesus said that they were spiritually "dead" and that their works fell shamefully short of what God expects His redeemed people.  And, while there were some happy exceptions who had not "soiled their garments" with sluggish devotion (v.4), Jesus clearly desires every Christian and every church to conquer their spiritual sloth, to be fully alive and genuinely awake in the eyes of God.

Main Point: All churches and Christians are called to conquer their tendency to spiritual sloth by actively remembering and obeying God's word.  

Discussion Questions:

• Is it possible for a Christian and/or church to not have much by way of outward or obvious sins and yet still be in a seriously unhealthy spiritual state? Explain.
• Why does Jesus rebuke the church in Sardis? (vv.1-2)
• What is the differences between sins of omission and sins of commission? (For extra study on on sins of omission see James 4:17; Rom. 7:14-20; Lk. 10:30-37; Matt. 25:31-46).
• What steps does Jesus give to correct and conquer the tendency to spiritual sloth? (v.2a, v.3a)
• What can people expect from Jesus if they do not conquer their spiritual sloth? (v.3b)
• What promises are made to those who do conquer their spiritual sloth? (vv.4-5)

Application Questions:

• Am I spiritually awake or spiritually sleepy? Explain.
• What are things that I know God would have me doing that I am failing to do?  
• How important is it to God that I live an active and obedient life marked by good works as opposed to merely avoiding doing bad things? 
• What changes should I make or what strategies should I employ in order to conquer my tendency to be spiritually lazy?
• How can we believers help one another stay spiritually awake on our journey to heaven?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for securing our acceptance before God by His active obedience to the Father
• Praise Jesus for this merciful wake up call
• Ask God to help you say no to temptation AND live a life of Christ-like, active obedience

The Letter to the Church in Thyatira

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)

1. Affirmation (v.19)
2. Rebuke (vv.20-21)
3. Warning (v.22-23, 29)
4. Promise (vv.24-28)

Summary:  We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Thyatira.  While affirmed for their continued growth in love and faith and service and endurace, Thyatira was rebuked for tolerating a false teacher, "Jezebel," whose seductive teachings have lead some church members into great moral compromise.  Therefore, Jesus warned them (and all churches) that He searches minds and hearts and will exercise His authority to repay every person according to what they actually deserve (vv.18,23).  On a brighter note, Jesus acknowledges that, in spite of "Jezebel's" influence, there were some in the church in Thyatira that did not embrace her teaching nor practice her works (just as there were seven thousand in Elijah's day that resisted her influence by refusing to bow the knee to Baal).  It is those who hold fast to Jesus' teachings and embrace His works to the end who will receive the promise.    

Main Point: All churches and christians are called to conquer by resisting false teachings and deceitful influences that cause one to stray from faithfully following Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

• What effect should the words "I know" have on the church in Thyatira? (v.18)
• What is Thyatira affirmed for? (v.19) How does this compare with Ephesus? (2:4) 
• What is Thyatira rebuked for (vv.20-21)? 
• Why did Jesus call the false teacher(s) in Thyatira "Jezebel"? What dots were they to connect?
• Background study: Read 1 Kings 16-21; 2 Kings 9:21-37.  Who is Jezebel? What does she do?What effect does her influence have on Israel?  How do things turn out for her in the end?
• How does the character, actions, influence, and demise of the Jezebel of the Old Testament   serve as a warning to all churches? 
• What will Jesus do to those who embrace Jezebel's teaching and practice her works? (vv.22-23)
• What does Jesus promise those who embrace His teachings and practice His works? (vv.24-28) 

Application Questions:

• What past or present teachings or influences have pulled or currently pull me away from God? 
• What would it look like for me to resist those influences in order to stay faithful to Jesus?
• Take time to dream about the honor it will be to reign with Christ. 
• Is there a brother or sister in my life who is wandering from the truth? If so, what actions should I take to help bring them back?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus for proving who He is so that I can know with confidence I follow the real God
• Praise Jesus for his long-suffering, His patience willingness to receive those who repent
• Ask God to help you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to resist any teachings or influences that would draw your heart away from Him
• Ask God for wisdom as to how to lovingly help bring others back from their wanderings 

The Letter to the Church in Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)

1. Affirmation (v.13)
2. Rebukes (vv.14-15)
3. Correction (v.16a)
4. Warning (vv.16b)
5. Promises (v.17)

Summary: We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum.  While affirmed for clinging to Jesus in the face of persecution, Pergamum was sharply rebuked for the fact that some among them were compromising both in terms of lifestyle and doctrine.  These compromises, like all compromises, start to become a stumbling block to others within the church and dim the overall witness of the church.  Therefore, Jesus calls the church to repent, to turn away from all such compromises lest He war against them with the sword of His mouth.  

Main Point: Jesus calls all churches and all christians to conquer, to express loyalty to Him by rejecting all forms of compromise.

Discussion Questions:

• What effect should the words "I know" have on the church in Pergamum? (v.13)
• What is significant about "Satan's throne" being in the place were Pergamum is? (v.13) 
• What is Pergamum affirmed for? (v.13) How might this encourage and spur on other churches? 
• What is Pergamum rebuked for (vv.14-15)? 
• Read Num. 31:16 and 25:1-9 (cf. Num. 22-25).  How should this OT event regarding Balaam's advice and Israel's rebellion serve as a warning to churches? 
• Why did Jesus call the entire church to repent when only "some" were compromising? (v.16a)
• What will Jesus do to those within the church if they do not repent (v.16b)?
• What promises does Jesus set before those who reject all forms of compromise and follow Him faithfully? (v.17)

Application Questions:

• How loyal am I to Jesus?
• What compromises am I currently making or am I tempted to make? What would repentance look like for me?  In other words, what must I do to heed Jesus' warning?
• Am I aware of compromises in the lives of others in the church that need to be addressed? Make a plan for how to address them biblically.
• How can Jesus' promises of hidden manna and a white stone spur me on to greater faithfulness?

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the promise of hidden manna to sustain us throughout this life and for the white stone inviting us to enjoy the life to come 
• Thank Jesus for loving us enough to warn us against dangerous compromises that can plague us spiritually
• Ask God to help you, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to conquer any compromises you currently face and to become a more loyal follower of Jesus
• Ask God for wisdom as to how to best address any compromises that you see in the lives of your brothers and sisters at FBC

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

Outline: The Letter to the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)

1. Comfort (vv.8-9)
2. Instruction (v.10a)
3. Encouragement (vv.10b-11)

Summary: We now focus our study on Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna.  Smyrna, unlike Ephesus, was a healthy church, which is why rebuke, correction, and warning are absent from this letter.  But to say that Smyrna was a healthy church does not mean that life was easy for them. Rather, the believers in Smyrna were well acquainted with pain, poverty, and persecution and Jesus, the One walks among His lampstands (1:12-20), was totally aware of their circumstances.  Therefore, in this letter, Jesus' comfort, instruction, and encouragement was designed to help them conquer, that is, to remain faithful in the midst of their circumstances, no matter the cost.   

Main Point: Jesus calls all churches and all christians to conquer, to remain faithful to Him in the midst of our circumstances, no matter the cost.  

Discussion Questions:

• What circumstances was the church in Smyrna experiencing? (vv.9-10)
• Should the fact that Jesus is present with the church in Smyrna and intimately aware of all their circumstances be a terrifying or comforting reality for them? Explain.  
• How does Jesus comfort the church in Smyrna? (v.9; Hint: "I know ____")
• What instruction must Smyrna heed in the midst of their trying circumstances? (v.10a)
• What does the phrase "ten days" symbolize? How should it impact the church in Smyrna?
•  What promises does Jesus seek to encourage the church with?  (vv.10-11) What conditions are attached to those promises?

Application Questions:

• What trials am I currently experiencing?  And how am I responding to such trials?
• How should Jesus' presence with me and intimate knowledge of all that I am going through serve to comfort me? 
• How am I doing in terms of heeding Jesus' instructions to not fear future trials and to remain faithful no matter how hard things get?  
• If faithfulness to Jesus meant dying for my faith, would I be willing to do so? How can I live now that would prepare my heart to make such a sacrifice?
• How should the promise of being awarded the crown of life and being protected from the second death serve to fuel my present faithfulness to Jesus? 
• What fellow believers can I comfort and encourage with these truths?

Prayer Points:

• Acknowledge that Jesus is present with you and intimately aware of all your circumstances
• Praise Jesus for being a Savior can sympathize with you in the midst of all your trials
• Ask God to help you to conquer, to be faithful in the midst of your trials, no matter the cost
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you run to win the crown of life and dodge the second death
• Ask God to help your brothers and sisters at FBC to remain faithful through trial so that, as a church, our witness would be strong and bright for the glory of Christ

The Letter to the Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

Outline: In Revelation 2:1-7

1. Jesus' Affirmation (vv.2-3, 6)
2. Jesus' Rebuke (v.4)
3. Jesus' Correction (v.5a)
4. Jesus' Warning (v.5b)
5. Jesus' Promise (v.7)

Summary: After communicating the sobering vision of who Jesus is and what the church ought to be, John now relays a personal letter from Jesus to each of the seven churches (Rev. 2-3). These letters show that the Jesus described in John's vision is the Jesus who is present with and intimately aware of each church and their circumstances. This can be either terrifying or comforting depending on the health of a given local church.  Jesus wants every local church to be a faithful, conquering church regardless of the circumstances they face; therefore, He brings clear affirmation, rebuke, correction, warnings, and promises according to what each church needs to hear and heed.  The first letter is to the church in Ephesus, a church affirmed for their steadfast commitment to the truth but firmly rebuked for their sad and serious neglect of love.  Jesus tells them in no uncertain terms what they must do in order to conquer their sin and receive the promise.      

Main Point: The church in Ephesus must remember the way they used to love one another, repent of their neglect of that love, and renew their efforts to love as they have in the past.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean that Jesus "walks among the seven golden lampstands" and what impression should this truth make on all churches, including FBC? (v.1cf. 1:13; 2:23)
• What does Jesus affirm about the church in Ephesus? (vv.2-3,6)
• What about the church in Ephesus provokes Jesus to firmly rebuke them? (v.4)
• What three steps does Jesus command Ephesus to take when He corrects them (v.5)?
• What is the meaning of the term repent?
• What warning does Jesus give them if they do not mend their ways (v.5b)?
• What promise does Jesus extend to them if they do mend their ways (v.7)?  
• Why is it so important that we have strong minds committed to truth and big hearts engaged in acts of love?

Application Questions:

• How firmly am I committed to learning and applying the truth of God's word in my life?
• How engaged am I in showing acts of kindness, compassion and self-sacrifice toward my brothers and sisters in Christ?
• Do I need to repent and mend my ways in one or both of these areas?
• What would it look like for me to be a head/heart person (one marked by truth and love)?
• Does my individual commitment to truth and love effect the brightness of our lampstand at FBC? Explain. 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our commitment to truth at FBC
• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our love for one another at FBC
• Repent of any ways you have been personally neglecting truth and/or love
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine as a head and heart people
• Ask God to help you grow in your commitment to truth and your engagement in love so that you might do your part to help FBC shine brighter

John's Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:9-20)

Outline: In Revelation 1:9-20

1. John's vision of the Son of Man & the churches (vv.12-16, 20)
2. John's response to the vision (vv.17-19)
3. How should churches respond to this vision? 

Summary: John is given a vision packed with symbols designed to tell us about who Jesus is and what the church ought to be.  This vision terrifies John nearly to death.  But Jesus tenderly comforts John with the gospel and then commissions him to write the things that he has seen (and will see) to the churches. This vision of the Son of Man is meant to shape the life and mission of every local church.

Main Point: John's vision of the Son of Man is designed to both frighten and fortify every local church into faithful living as they await the return of the Son of Man.

Discussion Questions:

• Discuss the descriptions of Jesus in vv.13-16. Taken together, what does John want the churches to know about who Jesus is?
• The churches are symbolized as "seven golden lampstands." What does this symbol say about what churches ought to be? (cf. Ex. 25:31-40, 37:17-24; Lev. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:14-16).  
• How does John respond to the vision? Why do you think he responded that way? 
• What effect do you think Jesus' words in vv.17b-18 had on John?     
• How should the churches in general and FBC in particular respond to this vision of the Son of Man and the seven golden lampstands? 
• Why might it be important to keep this vision (vv.12-16) in mind as we study the letters to the churches in chapters 2-3?  

Application Questions:

• How has this vision heightened my view of Jesus and who He is?
• How has this vision heightened my view of churches and what they are meant to be?
• In what ways is God calling me to live more faithfully in light who Jesus is and who we wants me to be as a member of my local church?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus as the glorious Son of Man 
• Ask God to open your eyes to see more of the glory of Jesus
• Ask God to help you develop a higher view of the local church
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine brightly for the glory of the Son of Man and for the good of those who desperately need to see Him for who He really is
• Pray that God would awaken you to be more faithfully devoted to Him so that you might do your part to help your local church shine brighter