THE MESSAGES TO THE CHURCHES

BIBLE TEXT : Revelation 2:1-29; 3:1-22.

LESSON 460 Senior Course
MEMORY VERSE: "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown"
(Revelation 3:11)..
BIBLE TEXT in King James Version Bible References:

Revelation 2:1-29 I First Message, to the Church at Ephesus

1 Unto the angel of the church of 1. The Ephesian church had much to her credit, Revelation 2:2,
3, 6;
Ephesus write; These things saith Psalm 139:1-5
he that holdeth the seven stars in 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
his right hand, who walketh in the 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou
understandest my thought afar off.
midst of the seven golden 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art
candlesticks; acquainted with all my ways.
2 I know thy works, and thy 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD,
thou knowest it altogether.
labour, and thy patience, and how 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine
thou canst not bear them which hand upon me.
Galatians 6:9
are evil: and thou hast tried them 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
which say they are apostles, and we shall reap, if we faint not.
are not, and hast found them liars: 2. The church at Ephesus was in a backslidden state,
3 And hast borne, and hast Revelation 2:4, 5
Ezekiel 18:24
patience, and for my name's sake 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his
hast laboured, and hast not righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth
fainted. according to all the abominations that the wicked man
doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath
against thee, because thou hast trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them
left thy first love. shall he die.
Ezekiel 33:12-13
5 Remember therefore from 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of
whence thou art fallen, and thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not
deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the
repent, and do the first works; or wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the
else I will come unto thee quickly, day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the
and will remove thy candlestick righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day
that he sinneth.
out of his place, except thou 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely
repent. live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit
6 But this thou hast, that thou iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered;
but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for
hatest the deeds of the it.
Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Ezekiel 33:18
18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness,
7 He that hath an ear, let him and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
hear what the Spirit saith unto the Matthew 26:75
churches; To him that overcometh 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said
unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
will I give to eat of the tree of life, And he went out, and wept bitterly.
which is in the midst of the Matthew 24:12
paradise of God. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many
shall wax cold.
8 And unto the angel of the Luke 9:62
church in Smyrna write; These 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand
things saith the first and the last, to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of
God.
which was dead, and is alive; 2 Corinthians 11:13
9 I know thy works, and 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
tribulation, and poverty, (but thou 2 Corinthians 11:15
art rich) and I know the 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
blasphemy of them which say they transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end
shall be according to their works.

The Messages to the Churches 1 of 8

are Jews, and are not, but are the 2 Peter 2:1
1 But there were false prophets also among the people,
synagogue of Satan. even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily
10 Fear none of those things shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
which thou shalt suffer: behold, destruction.
the devil shall cast some of you 2 Peter 2:10
into prison, that ye may be tried; 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are
and ye shall have tribulation ten they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
days: be thou faithful unto death, 2 Peter 2:20
and I will give thee a crown of life. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the
world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus
11 He that hath an ear, let him Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the
hear what the Spirit saith unto the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
churches; He that overcometh
shall not be hurt of the second II The Second Message, to the Church in Smyrna
1. This church was poor in this world's goods but rich toward
death. God Revelation 2:8, 9; 3:9;
12 And to the angel of the church James 2:5
in Pergamos write; These things 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the
poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom
saith he which hath the sharp which he hath promised to them that love him?
sword with two edges; Romans 2:28
13 I know thy works, and where 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is
that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
thou dwellest, even where Satan's Romans 2:29
seat is: and thou holdest fast my 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in
name, and hast not denied my the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
faith, even in those days wherein 2. This church was promised a crown of life if faithful unto
Antipas was my faithful martyr, death Revelation 2:10, 11;
who was slain among you, where James 1:12
12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when
Satan dwelleth. he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord
14 But I have a few things hath promised to them that love him.
against thee, because thou hast
III The Third Message, to the Church in Pergamos
there them that hold the doctrine
1. This church is commended by Christ, Revelation 2:13;
of Balaam, who taught Balac to Matthew 15:28
cast a stumblingblock before the 28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman,
great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her
children of Israel, to eat things daughter was made whole from that very hour.
sacrificed unto idols, and to 2. The church is rebuked for fellowshipping false teachers,
commit fornication. Revelation 2:14-17;
15 So hast thou also them that Numbers 25:2-5
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their
hold the doctrine of the gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. gods.
16 Repent; or else I will come 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of
the LORD was kindled against Israel.
unto thee quickly, and will fight 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the
against them with the sword of my people, and hang them up before the LORD against the
sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away
mouth. from Israel.
17 He that hath an ear, let him 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every
hear what the Spirit saith unto the one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
2 Peter 2:15-16
churches; To him that overcometh 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone
will I give to eat of the hidden astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who
manna, and will give him a white loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass
stone, and in the stone a new speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the
name written, which no man prophet.
Jude 1:11
knoweth saving he that receiveth 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain,
it. and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and
18 And unto the angel of the perished in the gainsaying of Core.
IV The Fourth Message, to the Church in Thyatira
The Messages to the Churches 2 of 8
church in Thyatira write; These 1. They have many things to commend them, Revelation 2:19,
things saith the Son of God, who 24-29.
2. The church is indicted for suffering Jezebel to teach and seduce
hath his eyes like unto a flame of some to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols,
fire, and his feet are like fine Revelation 2:20-23.
brass; V The Fifth Message, to the Church of Sardis
19 I know thy works, and charity, 1. It had a name that it lived, but was dead, Revelation 3:1,
Matthew 7:21
and service, and faith, and thy 21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
patience, and thy works; and the into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of
last to be more than the first. my Father which is in heaven.
Mark 7:6
20 Notwithstanding I have a few 6
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias
things against thee, because thou prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people
sufferest that woman Jezebel, honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Ezekiel 33:1-33
which calleth herself a prophetess, 1
Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
to teach and to seduce my 2
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say
unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the
servants to commit fornication, people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him
and to eat things sacrificed unto for their watchman:
idols. 3
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow
the trumpet, and warn the people;
21 And I gave her space to repent 4
Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and
of her fornication; and she taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away,
repented not. his blood shall be upon his own head.
5
He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not
22 Behold, I will cast her into a warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh
bed, and them that commit warning shall deliver his soul.
6
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not
adultery with her into great the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword
tribulation, except they repent of come, and take any person from among them, he is taken
their deeds. away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the
watchman's hand.
23 And I will kill her children with 7
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto
death; and all the churches shall the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at
know that I am he which my mouth, and warn them from me.
8
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt
searcheth the reins and hearts: surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from
and I will give unto every one of his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his
blood will I require at thine hand.
you according to your works. 9
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn
24 But unto you I say, and unto from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his
the rest in Thyatira, as many as iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
10
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of
have not this doctrine, and which Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our
have not known the depths of sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we
Satan, as they speak; I will put then live?
11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no
upon you none other burden. pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked
25 But that which ye have already turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil
ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
hold fast till I come. 12
Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy
26 And he that overcometh, and people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver
keepeth my works unto the end, him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness
of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he
to him will I give power over the turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be
nations: able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
27 And he shall rule them with a 13
When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely
live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit
rod of iron; as the vessels of a iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered;
potter shall they be broken to but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for
shivers: even as I received of my it.
14
Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely
Father. die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and
28 And I will give him the right;
15
If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had
morning star. robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing
29 He that hath an ear, let him iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

The Messages to the Churches 3 of 8

hear what the Spirit saith unto the None of his sins that he hath committed shall be
16

mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and

churches. right; he shall surely live.
Revelation 3:1-22 17
Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is
not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.
1 And unto the angel of the 18
When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and
church in Sardis write; These committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
things saith he that hath the seven 19
But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that
which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
Spirits of God, and the seven 20
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house
stars; I know thy works, that thou of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
hast a name that thou livest, and And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity,
21

in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one
art dead. that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying,
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the The city is smitten.
things which remain, that are
22
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening,
afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my
ready to die: for I have not found mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth
thy works perfect before God. was opened, and I was no more dumb.
23
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
3 Remember therefore how thou 24
Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of
hast received and heard, and hold Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited
fast, and repent. If therefore thou the land: but we are many; the land is given us for
inheritance.
shalt not watch, I will come on 25
Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye
thee as a thief, and thou shalt not eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols,
know what hour I will come upon and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?
26
Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye
thee. defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess
4 Thou hast a few names even in the land?
27
Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I
Sardis which have not defiled their live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the
garments; and they shall walk with sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the
me in white: for they are worthy. beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in
the caves shall die of the pestilence.
5 He that overcometh, the same 28
For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of
shall be clothed in white raiment; her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall
and I will not blot out his name be desolate, that none shall pass through.
29
Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have
out of the book of life, but I will laid the land most desolate because of all their
confess his name before my abominations which they have committed.
30
Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are
Father, and before his angels. talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the
6 He that hath an ear, let him houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother,
hear what the Spirit saith unto the saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that
cometh forth from the LORD.
churches. 31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they
7 And to the angel of the church sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but
in Philadelphia write; These things they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much
love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
saith he that is holy, he that is 32
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one
true, he that hath the key of that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an
instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
David, he that openeth, and no 33
And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then
man shutteth; and shutteth, and shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
no man openeth; 2. It is exhorted to repent. There were some who had not defiled
8 I know thy works: behold, I their garments, Revelation 3:2-6;
Matthew 24:42-43
have set before thee an open 42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord
door, and no man can shut it: for doth come.
thou hast a little strength, and
43
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had
known in what watch the thief would come, he would have
hast kept my word, and hast not watched, and would not have suffered his house to be
denied my name. broken up.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
9 Behold, I will make them of the 2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
synagogue of Satan, which say cometh as a thief in the night.
they are Jews, and are not, but do 3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman
lie; behold, I will make them to with child; and they shall not escape.

The Messages to the Churches 4 of 8

come and worship before thy feet, But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day
4

should overtake you as a thief.

and to know that I have loved 5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
thee. day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch
10 Because thou hast kept the and be sober.
word of my patience, I also will 2 Peter 3:10
keep thee from the hour of 10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;
in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
temptation, which shall come upon noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
all the world, to try them that earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned
dwell upon the earth. up.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold
VI The Sixth Message, to the Church of Philadelphia
that fast which thou hast, that no 1. They were commended and an open door was set before them
man take thy crown. Revelation 3:7-9;
12 Him that overcometh will I 1 Corinthians 16:9
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and
make a pillar in the temple of my there are many adversaries.
God, and he shall go no more out: 2. Many promises are given to them, Revelation 3:10-13;
and I will write upon him the Revelation 21:2-7
2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
name of my God, and the name of down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned
the city of my God, which is new for her husband.
Jerusalem, which cometh down And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold,
3

the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with

out of heaven from my God: and I them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall
will write upon him my new name. be with them, and be their God.
13 He that hath an ear, let him
4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
hear what the Spirit saith unto the neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things
churches. are passed away.
5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all
14 And unto the angel of the things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words
church of the Laodiceans write; are true and faithful.
These things saith the Amen, the 6
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is
faithful and true witness, the athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
beginning of the creation of God; 7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be
15 I know thy works, that thou his God, and he shall be my son.
VII The Seventh Message, to the Church of Laodicea
art neither cold nor hot: I would 1. This church was lukewarm and ready to be spued out of the
thou wert cold or hot. mouth of God, Revelation 3:14-17;
16 So then because thou art 2 Kings 10:31
31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD
lukewarm, and neither cold nor God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the
hot, I will spue thee out of my sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
mouth. Hosea 10:2
2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he
17 Because thou sayest, I am shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
rich, and increased with goods, 2. They are rebuked and counselled to buy gold tried in the
and have need of nothing; and fire, Revelation 3:18, 22;
knowest not that thou art Proverbs 30:12
12
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes,
wretched, and miserable, and and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
poor, and blind, and naked: 1 Corinthians 4:8
8
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings
18 I counsel thee to buy of me without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also
gold tried in the fire, that thou might reign with you.
mayest be rich; and white raiment, Luke 18:9-14
9
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in
that thou mayest be clothed, and themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
that the shame of thy nakedness 10
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
do not appear; and anoint thine Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I
eyes with eyesalve, that thou thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,
mayest see. unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke 13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so

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and chasten: be zealous therefore, much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast,
saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
and repent. 14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
20 Behold, I stand at the door, rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
and knock: if any man hear my exalted.
voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me. Notes:
21 To him that overcometh will I The Seven Churches
In this lesson we have the messages that were sent to the
grant to sit with me in my throne, seven different churches in Asia.
even as I also overcame, and am Each of the seven epistles commences with, "I know thy
set down with my Father in his works." Each contains a promise from Christ: "To him that
throne. overcometh." Each ends with: "He that hath an ear, let him hear
22 He that hath an ear, let him what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Some have thought that the seven churches are symbolical of
hear what the Spirit saith unto the the different church ages from the time of John until the coming
churches. of the Lord. Others think that they represent the whole Christian
church, dispersed throughout the whole world as it exists in every
age. These seven churches, however, were literal, historical
churches existing at the time John wrote.
In these messages any pastor, church or individual can find
suitable instructions for every occasion.
It is the characteristic of our Lord to put forth first that which
He approves, and then to note the shortcomings.
The Church of Ephesus
Ephesus was famed for the temple of Diana, one of the seven
wonders of the ancient world. Paul spent over two years in
Ephesus preaching the Gospel. A strong church was established.
It was noted for its love and fervency and was the leading church
in all Asia. Here John spent his declining years. He who holds the
seven stars and walks among the candlesticks found in Ephesus
good works, labour, endurance, steadfast oppositions to evil,
faithfulness and firmness in discipline, cheerfulness in bearing any
burden for Christ's sake, and a hatred for deeds and practices
which Christ hates.
There is such a thing as being able to discern between the
true and the false, having a correctness of judgment in sacred
things, a zeal and self sacrificing devotion to the right and true,
and a severance from false apostles and all evildoers, and yet to
be without that warmth and purity of love that filled the heart
when one was first born again. We can become so much
absorbed in our work for the church that we let that first love slip
out of our heart. This is what the Lord had against the church at
Ephesus. They were exhorted to repent and do their first works
over, or else He would remove their candlestick out of its place.
To the overcomer He would give to eat of the Tree of Life,
which was in the Paradise of God. Here we find the Tree of Life
that God placed in the Garden of Eden, growing in the Paradise of
God -- Paradise regained. What was lost through the fall of Adam
will be gained back through Christ.
The Church in Smyrna
Smyrna was a poor church financially, but the Lord said they
were rich: rich in faith, rich in love. They had gone through much
tribulation. They were persecuted by the disbelieving Jews. Paul
said he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, but who is one
inwardly. The Lord tells them that more persecutions await them,
but they would be of short duration. The devil would cast some of
them into prison. They were told to be faithful unto death and
they would receive a crown of life.
Sometimes the Lord turns the tactics of the devil upside down

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 and accomplishes His own purpose to bring one out victorious.
``God sifts and winnows the man to separate his chaff from his
wheat," comments one writer, "and the devil sifts him in hopes
that nothing but chaff will be found in him."
It was in Smyrna that the saintly Polycarp was burned at the
stake. Before they lit the fagots his judges asked that he recant.
His noble words are handed down to us: "Fourscore and six years
have I served the Lord and He never wronged me, how then can I
blaspheme my King and Saviour?"
The Church at Pergamos
At the time the Apocalypse was written Pergamos was the
home of rich chiefs who had it adorned with magnificent
residences, temples and groves. It had a library rivalling that of
Alexandria. Parchment was here discovered for book purposes. It
was a city of heathen temples and religious sensuality, hence the
throne of Satan.
Although in the midst of idolatry some people had kept the
faith. But they had failed to cast out of their fold those who held
the "doctrine of Balaam." When the Lord would not let Balaam
curse Israel, he still wanted to remain in good favour with Balak,
so he taught Balak how to lay a stumbling-block before the
Children of Israel. The Lord used the drawn sword to slay Balaam.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden
manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new
name written." In the courts they used to give a white stone for
acquittal and a black stone when condemned.
The Church at Thyatira
The church at Thyatira had kept its love and faith and had in
creased in its service for the Master. Its works were greater now
than at the beginning. It was just the opposite of the church at
Ephesus, where the congregation had left their first love but
hated sin and false doctrine.
The church at Thyatira was tolerating a woman who claimed
to be a prophetess to seduce the saints into idolatry and sin.
Jezebel of old led Israel into idolatry and domineered over Israel.
She was given space to repent but refused. "He, that being often
reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and
that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1). God promised that His
hand of judgment would work swiftly and all the churches would
recognise that the Lord had done it.
Those who had not received this false doctrine were exhorted
to "hold fast till I come," and He would give them power over the
nations.
The Church at Sardis
Sardis had a name that it was a live church, but the Lord said
that it was dead. It possibly had a godly outside appearance but
the Lord looks on the heart. They did not seem to have any false
doctrine to contend with inside the church or out. They were so
dead spiritually that the devil did not concern himself with them.
There were a few in the church who had not defiled their
garments, and the Lord said they would walk with Him in white.
The Church of Philadelphia
Philadelphia means "brotherly love." When the Quakers came
to America to find a home of religious freedom, they founded a
city and called it Philadelphia. They tried to put brotherly love into
practice by showing kindness and love to the Indians and telling
them about the true God.
A few years ago when the United Nations celebrated its 10th
anniversary, the Protestant, the Jew, the Buddhist, and others
joined hands while each prayed a separate prayer to his god. Was
that brotherly love? No! That was compromise. In these days they

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 call it religious tolerance. The Lord plainly says in His Word,
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
The great commission Jesus gave was, "Go ye into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature." He told the
church of Philadelphia that He had set before them an open door
and no man could shut it. The Gospel light in these days has
shone around the world. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto an nations; and then
shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).
As long as the love of God burns on the altar of the heart
there will be a fervency and zeal to see other souls born into the
Kingdom of God. Because they had kept the word of the Lord's
patience, He promised to keep them from the hour of temptation,
which will come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon
the earth. We wonder if that hour is not upon us. The Lord
follows with, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown." Many precious promises await
the over-comes.
The Church of Laodicea
This was a church that was neither cold nor hot. It was so
nearly sunk into slumber that it was in a drowsy state. A message
to a cold church will oftentimes arouse it back to a state of
fervency, but it is hard to arouse a drowsy person. Tepid water
produces vomiting. A church that is lukewarm is nauseating in the
sight of God.
This was a self satisfied church. They had plenty of this world's
goods; they felt they had need of nothing, not even more religion.
Oh, the mercy of God! He still stands and knocks at the heart's
door of those who are on the verge of being spued out of His
mouth. If they will be aroused from their slumber the Lord will still
clothe than in white raiment and grant them the privilege of
sitting with Him on His Throne in His Kingdom.
God's Promises
God's promises are sure. In these messages to the churches
we find every state existing that it is possible to get into, from a
life of holiness to a life of sin, degradation and compromise. God's
smile of approval rests on the clean, sanctified life. His mercies
are extended to the sinful and disobedient, giving them an
opportunity to repent. It is left with us to decide among which
group we will be found when the Lord comes.
QUESTIONS
1. Were these real churches, and where were they?
2. Which was the largest church?
3. Against which churches was there nothing said?
4. Which one had left their first love?
5. Which one was lukewarm?
6. Explain why the Lord would rather have it cold or hot.
7. Quote the different promises to the overcomers.

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