The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 1

1. To best understand the Book of Revelation we first must recognize the three genres found with its pages. a) “Apocalyptic” – meaning revelation b) “Prophetic” – predictive declarationsc) “Epistolary” – letter form

2. Four terms every good Bible student should know and understand.a) “Eschatology” – The study of end-time eventsb) “Amillennial” – NO millenniumc) “Postmillennial” – AFTER the millenniumd) “Premillennial” – BEFORE the millennium

Revelation 20:1-3 (ESV) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Isaiah 45:22-23 (ESV) “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

Luke 13:18-21 (ESV) He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

“The view that Jesus will return to reign over a thousand-year Kingdom was the view of the early church. Almost all the church leaders in the first three centuries after Jesus’ resurrection held to a premillennial view. The 5th century church leader, Augustine, was the one who suggested that the Kingdom of God was really a spiritual Kingdom made visible in the earthly church (the amillennial view). …soon it replaced premillennalism as the majority view.” Dr. John Walvoord

3. There are four primary views on the Book of Revelation.a) The Preterist viewb) The Idealist viewc) The Progressive Dispensationalist viewd) The Classical Dispensationalist view

4. Both the general and book introductions are important because they lay the groundwork for the interpretive model we’ll follow throughout the course of our study.

5. The writing instrument of The Revelation of Jesus Christ is none other than John the Apostle, and not under Nero’s reign but near the end of Domitian’s in the mid 90’s of the first century.

6. The purpose of this book lies within the majority of the text (Chapters 4 – 18) which addresses what will take place immediately before, during, and after the Second Advent of Christ.

7. Chapter 1:1-3 serves as the prologue and quickly establishes a theme.Revelation 1:1-3 (NASB) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2  who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 2

FOUR AGES IN REVELATIONChapters Age YearsChapters 1 – 3 Church Age ? yearsChapters 4 – 19 Tribulation Age 7 yearsChapter 20 Kingdom Age 1000 yearsChapters 21 – 22 Eternal Age Endless

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

1. This book is a circular letter only addressed to seven of the ten churches in Western Asia Minor (an important point).

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

2. “Grace and peace” to you from the Triune God – not John.

Isaiah 11:1-2 (ESV) There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

3. Verse 5 gives a fitting description of Christ in all His majesty and One Who is worthy of praise.

Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Revelation 20:5-6 (ESV) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:12-13 (ESV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

3. Verse 5 gives a fitting description of Christ in all His majesty and One Who is worthy of praise.

Revelation 1:4 (NASB) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—

4. Christ Jesus continues to love us – His Church today.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 3

1. With freedom comes great honor and responsibility as God’s kingly priests.Revelation 1:6 (NASB) and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 19:6 (ESV) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Revelation 5:10 (NASB) "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

2. The Second Advent of Christ will be a sight like no other in history.Revelation 1:7 (NASB) BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

Acts 1:9-11 (NASB) And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

Matthew 24:30 (NASB) "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.Mark 13:26 (NASB) "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.

Revelation 1:7 (NASB) BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

Zechariah 12:10 (NASB) "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

Revelation 1:7 (NASB) BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

Daniel’s 70th week

In secret

All will see

3. Christ Jesus is the exact image of God the Father. Revelation 1:8 (NASB) "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 4

1. Within Christ’s command to John lay three unifying truths.a) There is equality in the Churchb) There has always been and will continue to be tribulation for the Churchc) The Church is called to endure faithfully

2. The Apostle John was projected forward in his “spirit” to a future time and day.Revelation 1:10-11 (NASB) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

“…does not refer to being in the Spirit on the first day of the week. Rather, it is a reference to the fact that by the power of the Holy Spirit John was lifted in prophetic vision beyond the church age to ‘the day of the Lord.’” Dr. Tim Lahaye

Revelation 1:9 (NASB) I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

3. John is commanded 12 times to write what he sees and hears, yet there is one vision he was not to record.Revelation 1:10-11 (NASB) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

4. Without a doubt the seven lampstands represent the seven churches of verse 11 and chapters two and three. Revelation 1:12 (NASB) Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;Revelation 1:20c (NASB) … and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

5. The appearance of Christ as Priest and Judge in verses 13–16 is a picture of His deity and possessing all the attributes of God the Father.

Revelation 1:13-16 (NASB) and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

6. The seven stars of verse 16 are also identified in verse 20 as the seven messengers which are most likely the pastors of those churches. Revelation 1:20 (NASB) "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 5

1. Clearly the message to the seven Churches is providentially arranged in order to reveal certain character traits and a possible connection to Church history.

“In general these letters to the seven churches address the problems inherent in churches throughout church history and are an incisive and comprehensive revelation of how Christ evaluates local churches.” DTS Faculty

Seven Divisions Types & Characteristics• Ephesus – The Apostolic Period AD 30 • Smyrna – The Persecuted Church AD 100• Pergamum – The Indulged Church AD 312• Thyatira – The Pagan Church AD 606

Seven Divisions Types & Characteristics• Sardis – The Dead Church AD 1520• Philadelphia – The Loved Church 1750• Laodicea – The Apostate Church AD 1900

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2. Ephesus was also known as the “desired one.”Revelation 2:1 (NASB) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

3. Not only did Christ Jesus maintain a hold upon the churches but He was also active in their midst. Revelation 2:1 (NASB) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

4. Christ commends the Church at Ephesus because they have not compromised morally or theologically.  Revelation 2:2-3 (NASB) 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3  and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.

5. The one major problem with the second generation of the Church in Ephesus was a loss of passion for Christ and His Church.  Revelation 2:4-5 (NASB) 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

6. Ephesus was also commended for “hating the works” of a group who opposed the work of Christ in some form or fashion.   Revelation 2:6 (NASB) 'Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7. God’s expectation for the Church is to overcome!   Revelation 2:7 (NASB) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 6

1. The characteristic Christ Jesus reminds the Church at Smyrna of is the one that brings hope to all believers – His resurrection!Revelation 2:8 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:

2. Christians should also find it comforting that Christ Jesus can identify with us in our pain and suffering!Revelation 2:9 (NASB) 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Romans 2:28-29 (ESV) For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Hebrews 2:16-18 (NLT) We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, … so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

3. The Church is to accept the fact that difficulties and suffering will always be a part of life until Christ returns!Revelation 2:10a (NASB) 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. …

2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NLT) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. … 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

4. God rewards faithfulness!Revelation 2:10b-11 (NASB) … Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

Revelation 20:15 (NLT) And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

James 1:12 (NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 7The Message to the Church @ Pergamum

1. Pergamum was a lot like modern America – rich and educated while maintaining an abundance of stupidity.

2. The first key to faithful living in a perverse society – rightly knowing God’s Word.Revelation 2:12 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:

3. The second key to faithful living in a perverse society – is holding to God’s Word without compromise.Revelation 2:13 (NASB) 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

4. Moral compromise between the Church and our cultural will never lead to peace but always to corruption. Revelation 2:14-15 (NASB) 'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. 15 'So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

James 4:4 (NLT) You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

5. It is only in turning from our sins back to Christ that we find the approval of God!Revelation 2:16-17 (NASB) 'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 8The Message to the Church @ Thyatira

1. A church can look great outside with a nice façade but stink spiritually inside.

2. Christ Jesus is The Son of God – He knows and judges all! Revelation 2:18-19 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 19  'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

“There is nothing more piercing than flaming fire. Everything yields and melts before it. It penetrates all things, consumes every opposition, sweeps down all obstructions, and presses its way with invincible power. And of this sort are the eyes of Jesus. They look through everything; they pierce through all masks and coverings; they search the remotest recesses; they behold the most hidden things of the soul; and there is no escape from them.” Joseph Seiss

2. Christ Jesus is The Son of God – He knows and judges all! Revelation 2:18-19 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 19  'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

3. “Thyatira” is formed from two Greek words meaning “sacrifice” and “continual.”

“…this introduces the central heresy that has produced other false doctrines. That is, the church of Rome denies the finished work of Christ but believes in a continuing sacrifice which produces such things as sacraments and praying for the dead, burning candles, ect. …their emphasis on the “continual sacrifice” and rejection of our Lord’s finished work breeds a concept that causes man to try to earn his own salvation by works, penance, indulgences, and many other satanically conceived ideas.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Exodus 20:4 (ESV) “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

4. There is no room in leadership for cowards or the scripturally naive!Revelation 2:20-21 (NASB) 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.

5. The old saying is still true, “You better turn before you burn!Revelation 2:22-23 (NASB) 'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23  'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

6. Don’t believe the lie that everyone in the Church is saved!Revelation 2:24-25 (NASB) 'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

7. The Lord’s promise in verses 26 thru 29 is a great honor for the believer!

Revelation 2:26-29 (NASB) 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

2 Timothy 2:12 (NASB) If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

Revelation 20:4-6 (NASB) Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Revelation 2:26-29 (NASB) 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

“ … the faithful will receive the morning star, which appears just before the dawn. The Scriptures do not explain this expression, but it may refer to participation in the Rapture of the church before the dark hours preceding the dawn of the millennial kingdom”

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 9The Message to the Church @ Sardis

1. For the true believer, the Church of Sardis may have been one you’d like to escape from because of its coldness.

2. Once again the readers are directed to a characteristic of Christ previously spoken of in chapter one – His power and divinity to rule and know. Revelation 3:1 (NASB) "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

…the ritual and ceremony of the Reformation church often crowded out the true life underneath so that it was impotent and ineffective in the hand of God. … Although the Reformation leaders began well, they did not proceed to complete the works of reforming the church, but stopped far short of scriptural standards. Dr. Tim LaHaye

3. The Sardis Church needed stabilization which can only be obtained by proper Scriptural teaching. Revelation 3:2 (NASB) 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

4. If you want to survive as a local church then follow the council of Christ and do three things – remember, hold on, and repent. Revelation 3:3 (NASB) 'So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

5. God has always maintained a remnant for His glory.Revelation 3:4-5a (NASB) 'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; …

6. God’s promise in the later part of verse 5 is a straightforward affirmation of what He will and will not do for the believer. Revelation 3:5b (NASB) … and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Exodus 32:32-33 (NKJV) Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." [33] And the Lord said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 10The Message to the Church @ Philadelphia

1. The Church of Philadelphia was the “love of the brethren” church.• A better name might be “the church of opportunity.”• The city was called by many in that day “little Athens.”

2. Christ Jesus is literally “the Holy One of Israel” and distinguished from all others as the genuine and separated God.

Revelation 3:7-8 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 8  'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

3. “Keys” are symbolic of authority and verses 7 & 8 concern the authority Christ holds as the Heir to the throne of David.

Revelation 3:7-8 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 8  'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Isaiah 22:22 (NASB) "Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.

Revelation 1:18 (NASB) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

4. The Church at Philadelphia had multiple opportunities before them in spite of supposed limitations.

Revelation 3:7-8 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 8  'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

“Wonderful promises are made to this church, promises that are key to understanding prophecy. First, He promises that there is an open door for believers to reach out to a lost world. We don’t have to be eloquent or slick, we just need to be prayerfully available to His leading. What a comforting thought for timid souls who love the Lord, but have not had a course in “how to lead someone to Christ.”

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NLT) There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 2 Corinthians 2:12 (NLT) When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

Revelation 3:7-8 (NASB) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 8  'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

5. “Every dog has his day” and so will Christ and His Church.Revelation 3:9 (NASB) 'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

Revelation 6:9-11 (NLT) When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.

Philippians 2:7-11 (NASB) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

6. The Church is called to persevere through the trials of life today while receiving a promise of deliverance from greater tribulation in the future. Revelation 3:10-11 (NASB) 'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

“It is difficult to see how Christ could have made this promise to this local church if it were God’s intention for the entire church to go through the Tribulation that will come on the entire world. Even though the church at Philadelphia would go to glory via death long before the time of trouble would come, if the church here is taken to be typical of the body of Christ standing true to the faith, the promise seems to go beyond the Philadelphia church to all those who are believers in Christ.”

7. God honors those who honor Him!Revelation 3:12 (NKJV) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

The Revelation of Jesus ChristAn In-depth study of the Book of Revelation

Week 11The Message to the Church @ Laodicea

1. Material wealth can be a blessing or a curse and for Laodicea it was the latter.

2. Christ Jesus – “The So be it, faithful true Witness, and Source” of creation.   Revelation 3:14 (NASB) "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

3. A Church that carries the mark of indifference is like ipecac to God!  Revelation 3:15-16 (NASB) 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

4. The evidence of being a Laodicea being a lukewarm church was in their contentment with material wealth and blindness to spiritual poverty.   Revelation 3:17 (NASB) 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,

“The final church mentioned in Revelation is the lukewarm church …, the church which will be in existence when Christ returns. I believe the majority of churches in these final days …are lukewarm. … It’s interesting that God looks at apostasy and gets angry – but He looks at indifference and becomes ill. The preaching in the church was compromising. The pastor probably didn’t want to upset his congregation. Maybe he rattled their consciences a little – just enough to bring out the guilt and fill the collection plate …”

5. Those that are truly wise will take the advice of Christ Jesus and repent!  Revelation 3:18-19 (NASB) I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 4:16 (ESV) And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

5. Those that are truly wise will take the advice of Christ Jesus and repent!  Revelation 3:18-19 (NASB) I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

“What they needed was not this medicine but spiritual sight. The church at Laodicea is typical of a modern church quite unconscious of its spiritual needs and content with beautiful buildings and all the material things money can buy. This is a searching and penetrating message.”

5. Those that are truly wise will take the advice of Christ Jesus and repent!  Revelation 3:18-19 (NASB) I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

6. Some folks just don’t get it; we have no fellowship with Christ until we let Him in!  Revelation 3:20-21 (NASB)  'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21  'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

“With Christ on the outside, there can be no fellowship or genuine wealth. With Christ on the inside, there is wonderful fellowship and sharing of the marvelous grace of God. This was an appeal to Christians rather than to non-Christians. This raises the important question concerning the extent of one’s intimate fellowship with Christ. To those who respond, Christ promises to give the right to sit with Him on His throne and share His victory.”

Revelation 3:22 (NASB) 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"