The Seven Churches

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

Seven letters to seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2:1-3:22)

1. Ephesus – The careless church (seaport) (Revelation 2:1-7)
   1. To the orthodox but unloving church.
   2. From Christ, the faithful companion.
   3. How does a church lose it’s first love?
   4. What is the remedy?
      1. Remember.
      2. Repent.
      3. Return.
   5. Compare the promise of Revelation 2:7 with the fulfillment in Revelation 22:2.
2. Smyrna – The crowned church (dead 600BC-AD290) (Revelation 2:8-11)
   1. To the materially poor, yet spiritually rich church.
   2. From Christ, the loving Savior.
   3. How is LIFE a key phrase in this letter?
   4. What are the enduring riches (Revelation 2:9)?
   5. How does this crown of life relate to these riches (Revelation 2:10)?
3. Pergamum – The compromising church (library) (Revelation 2:12-17)
   1. To the tolerant (of false teaching) church.
   2. From Christ, the warring Lord.
   3. The church is guilty of what? (Revelation 2:14-15).
   4. Compare this church to Ephesus (Revelation 2:2).
   5. How do you account for the two words YOU and THEM? (Revelation 2:16)
   6. Compare the phrase “new name” (Revelation 2:17) with references in Revelation 3:12, 22:4, 21:1-5).
4. Thyatira – The corrupted church (huge ovens) (Revelation 2:18-29)
   1. To the church slipping into idolatry.
   2. From Christ, the heart-searcher.
   3. What is the impact of the word, “withstanding” (Revelation 2:20)?
   4. Compare Revelation 2:27 with Revelation 19:15.
   5. What is symbolized by the morning star (Revelation2:28, 22:16)?
5. Sardis – The crippled church (1500′ plateau) (Revelation 3:1-6)
   1. To the lifeless church.
   2. From Christ, the coming judge.
   3. Study the theme of watchfulness in this letter (Matthew 24:36-51).
   4. Compare Revelation 3:5 with Revelation 20:12 (the Book of Life).
6. Philadelphia – The committed church (door) (Revelation 3:7-13)
   1. To the faithful church.
   2. From Christ, the sovereign Lord.
   3. What is meant by “open door” (Revelation 3:8)?
   4. The word “temptation” means trial (Revelation 3:10).
   5. What does it mean “to keep you from the hour of”?
   6. Compare Revelation 3:12 with Revelation 21:2, 3, 22.
7. Laodicea – The comatose church (aqueducts) (Revelation 3:14-22)
   1. To the lukewarm church.
   2. From Christ, the reigning king.
   3. What spiritual condition is described by the word, lukewarm (Revelation3:16)?
   4. What is the sin of Revelation 3:17?
   5. Is this common today?
   6. What is the solution (Revelation 3:18)?
   7. Compare Revelation 3:21 with Revelation 22:3.
   8. How does Revelation 3:20-21 serve as a conclusion to the entire group of seven letters?

Notes:

1. Nicolatians (Revelation 2:6, 15) – likely a sect advocating deeds of abomination and impurity such as pagan feasts and “free love.”
2. Tribulation 10 days (Revelation 2:10) – likely symbolizing a short period of suffering.
3. Satan’s seat (Revelation 2:13) – likely a reference to the massive altar for Zeus, in Pergamum, the altar of Satan. There was much persecution; Antipas was a victim. This altar was discovered and unearthed and moved to Berlin, and the backdrop for Hitler’s rise to power.
4. Doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14) – (a reference to Numbers 22-25, 31) likely about teaching that the people of God should intermarry with pagans and compromise into idolatrous worship.
5. That woman Jezebel (Revelation2:20) – likely a reference to Jezebel on the OT (1 Kings 16:31-33, 19:2, 21:1-16, 2 Kings 9:33-35), who corrupted her followers with immorality and idolatry.
6. I will keep you from the hour of trial (Revelation3:10) – likely not an exemption from trials but the hour or event of the trial. Premillennialists see this as being raptured before the seven year tribulation. However, this teaching apparently mocks the early church’s suffering when those who happen to be at the end times will miraculously avoid such suffering.
7. How are these churches similar to the churches of today?
   1. Sins?
   2. Spiritual threats?
   3. Source of power?
   4. Mission?
   5. Action to be taken against false teaching?
   6. Being an overcomer (1 John 5:4-5)?
   7. Patience and perseverance?
   8. What is meant by Jesus removing their candlestick (Revelation2:5) and spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16)?