37 Revelation 2:1-17

* Christ Messages to the 7 Churches

- What was Christ message to the churches in today's reading? [Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum] Take note of the ff:

1. A. Ephesus

- Problem

- Advice

- Warning

- Reward for the over-comers

- Praise/Commendation

The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says to then, "I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil."

Advice: 

 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you[b] and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Warning: Remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent

Reward for the Overcomers: 

Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in[c] God's paradise.

2. B. Smyrna

Praise and Commendation:

The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says to them, " I know your[d] affliction and poverty, yet you are rich."

Problem:  Slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Advice:  Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown[e] of life.

Warning: The Devil will about to throw some of them into prison to test them.

Reward For The Overcomers: Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death.

3. C. Pergamum

Praise and Commendation:

The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says:  I know[f] where you live—where Satan's throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me,[g] even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives.

Problem: You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block[h] in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.[i] 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Advice: Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Warning: Jesus would fight with the unbelievers and idol worshipers with the sword of His mouth.

Rewards for the Overcomers: 

"Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna.[k] I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

* Summarize your answers/answer in your own words and just give the scripture reference.

* Note that some churches may not have some of these points so just read carefully.

* Example: can you identify w/c churches did not have a problem pointed out by Jesus?

What did you learn today?

II. I learned from this lesson that God would give rewards to those who abide on their strong faith in Him.