03/06/2020
THE STONE CHURCH APETE
BIBLE STUDY
7 LETTERS FOR 7 CHURCHES; Revelations 1-3
Having looked closely at the letters to the seven churches in Asia minor and the various reasons for rebukes and commendations received by each of the churches, there are a lot of salient lessons we can learn from this exercise. Today’s study is to put together some of those lessons and the way they apply to us today. One thing is quite instructive in all of the discussions Jesus had with the various churches, “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”. Those churches spoken of include the churches today. Be sensitive in the spirit as we go through today’s study.
Epilogue- Lessons from the Letters
Lessons to be learned from each of the letters to the 7 churches includes the points listed below
• Don’t allow your love for Jesus to become cold- Rev 2:4. Compare Matt 10:10-22, Matt 24: 8-13.
• Don’t tolerate the teachings of “Jezebel”, “the Nicolaitans” or “Baalam”. What do they teach? –
o Sexual immorality is ok- Rev 2: 6, 14-15
o Eat food sacrificed to idols, there’s nothing wrong with it!- Rev 2: 20-21
o The important thing about “food sacrificed to idols” is that the damage is not felt by the one eating but on other brethren whose faith/consciences are not as strong ICor 8: 4-9.
• Wealth, fame, skill or wisdom by themselves cannot save you, you still need God. Rev 3:17-18. You were made to function as part of God not apart from Him John 15:1-6.
• Your decision to follow and serve Christ should be based on conviction not on circumstances- Rev 2:9-10, 13, 24-25. However expect persecution, trials and challenges to your decision- John 15:18-21, Luke 9:62.
• Serve God with faith, patience, perseverance and righteousness Rev 2:3, 10, 24-25, Rev 3:4, 10-11.
• There will be fake Christians and pretenders in church posing as real Christians- Rev 2: 2, 9, Rev 3: 9.
Aside from the above lesson points, these other issues are of similar importance.
1. As serious as the issues of rebuke raised were, Jesus always emphasized repentance- Rev 2:5, 16, Rev 3: 19. Any teaching that speaks of only punishment, damnation and no room for repentance is most likely not from God- Rev 3: 19, I John 1: 7-9.
Have you come cross any teaching like this? Discuss
2. Notice that every letter Jesus said “he that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29, Rev 3:6, 13. We should learn from both the successes and failures of other churches- II Cor 1: 3-6.
Discuss- Which of these rebukes or commendations do you think applies to our church?
