Revelation Chapters 2-3 - Pastor Matt Willmington

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Take your next step in following Jesus | http://trbc.org/start Giving | http://TRBC.org/GIVE Subscribe for weekly content | http://youtube.com/@ThomasRoadChurch?sub_confirmation=1 Learn More | http://trbc.org WHAT IS REVELATION? “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which willtake place after this.” 1:19 Apocalyptic literature? (Popular writing style 200 B.C. – A.D. 100) 1. Claims to be prophecy – 1:1-3, 22:18-19 2. Author identifies himself and the 7 recipients (not anonymous) 3. Positive tone with an optimistic ending (not dark ending) 4. Struggle of good / evil are part of God’s redemptive history 5. Moral urgency, calling readers to repent 6. Identifies many symbols: seven stars (1:16-20), morning star (2:28, 22:16), seven lamps of fire (4:5), seven eyes (5:6), fallen star (9:1-11), great city (11:8), stars in sky (12:4-9), beast of the Sea (13:1-10), great prostitute (17:1-18), rider on white horse (19:11-16, 19) HOW TO READ REVELATION? Preterist = “Past” prophecies fulfilled by A.D. 70 full, partial (moderate) Post-tribulation rapture or denies it completely Amillennial or post-millennial Historicist = “Present” panorama of church history seasons (7 churches) more about the western church Post-tribulation rapture Pre-millennial, post-millennial, or amillennial Idealist = “Timeless” moral tale, a parable of good vs. evil, God vs. Satan allegoristic hermeneutic Post-tribulation rapture Post millennial or amillennial view Futurist = “Future” Real people / events at the end of world history Grammatical-historical hermeneutic View of the early church Any of the views of the rapture Pre-millennial WHO ARE THE 7 STARS AND 7 LAMP STANDS? (1:12, 20) Lamps stands = churches Stars = angels or pastors HOW DOES THE VISION START? Before the PROPHECY, a PERFORMANCE Review Format: Picture, Praise, Problem, Prescription, Prediction, Prize Purpose? Instruction for ALL churches EPHESUS 2:1-7 Picture – Holds seven stars in His right hand, walks amidst seven golden lampstands Praise – Patient labor, guarding against false teaching Problem – Left your first love Prescription – Remember + repent, do first works Prediction – I will come quickly, remove your lampstand Prize – Eat from tree of life in Paradise of God SMYRNA 2:8-11 Picture – First and Last, was dead and came to life Praise – Working through poverty and persecution Problem – Prescription – Do not fear, be faithful Prediction – Devil will imprison, test some for “10 days” Prize – Crown of life, not be hurt by second death PERGAMUM 2:12-17 Picture – Who has the sharp two-edged sword Praise – Working faithfully where Satan dwells Problem – Some hold teachings of idolatry + immorality (Nicolaitans, 2:6) Prescription – Repent Prediction – I will come quickly to fight them with sword of My mouth Prize – Hidden manna to eat; white stone with new name THYATIRA 2:18-29 Picture – Son of God, eyes like flame of fire, and feet like fine brass Praise – Growing works of love, service, faith, patience Problem – False prophet teaching idolatry and immorality Prescription – Repent. Hold fast what you have till I come Prediction – I will judge, give to each one according to your works Prize – Power over nations; the morning star SARDIS 3:1-6 Picture – Has seven Spirits of God and seven stars Praise – Works and name. Some walk worthy with me Problem – You are dead. Your works are not perfect before God Prescription – Be watchful, strengthen things remaining. Remember, hold fast, repent Prediction – I will come as a thief Prize – Clothed in white garments, name in the Book of Life; name confessed to the Father and angels PHILADELPHIA 3:7-13 Picture – Holy and true, has key of David, opens and shuts Praise – Works. Faithful to His name and word Problem – Prescription – Hold fast what you have Prediction – Prize – Kept from hour of trial in the world, Make you a pillar in God’s temple. Name of God, His city, Jesus written on you LAODICEA 3:14-22 Picture – Amen, Faithful / True Witness, Beginning of God’s creation Praise – Problem – Lukewarm, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked Prescription – Buy gold refined in fire, and white garments, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, Be zealous and repent Prediction – I rebuke / chasten whom I love. I stand at door and knock. Open the door I will come in and dine Prize – Sit with Me on My throne, as I did with My Father Homework What is Jesus’ Report Card on TR? Your group? Your family? Picture JESUS! – Stay connected with our church. Instagram | http://instagram.com/ThomasRoad Facebook | http://facebook.com/ThomasRoad

Topics

• Leadership
• Bible Study
• Prophecy & End Times