 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
5:5 Root of David
5:6 Lamb
7:17 Shepherd
12:10 Christ
19:11 Faithful and True
19:13 Word of G-d
19:16 King of Kings
19:16 L-rd of L-rds
22:16 The Morning Star
5:6 Lamb
7:17 Shepherd
12:10 Christ
19:11 Faithful and True
19:13 Word of G-d
19:16 King of Kings
19:16 L-rd of L-rds
22:16 The Morning Star
| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Chapter 2:26-28
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to
him I will give power over the nations 27 ‘ He shall rule them
with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’
s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will
give him the morning star.
G-d's promise - To the one who overcomes Christ promises the
privilege of ruling in authority with Him over the Nations during the
Millennium. Christ is called the Morning Star. A morning start
appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest.
When the world is at its bleakest point, Christ will burst onto the
scene exposing evil with His light of truth and bringing His
promised reward.
Verse 29
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’
The Names of Jesus in Revelations
1:8 The Alpha and Omega
1:8 The L-rd G-d
1:8 The Almighty
1:13 Son of Man
1:17 The First and Last
1:18 The Living One
2:18 Son of G-d
3:14 Witness
4:11 Creator
5:5 Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Chapter 3:1
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things
says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I
know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but
you are dead.
Thirty three miles South East of Thyatira stands Sardis. Sardis in
antiquity was the portrait of strength, fertility and wealth. It was
the capital of Lydia, whose King Croesus was famed for his
riches, and here at this time Aesop told his politically meaningful
fables. In A.D. 17 an earthquake destroyed the city, but Tiberius
the Roman Emperor rebuilt the city and cancelled its taxes for five
years. The city was destroyed in 1402 A.D. by Tamerlane; only
its ruins remain. This church had a name that had a good
reputation and it appeared to be alive to human eyes, yet G-d
who sees the inner spirit declares it to be dead. Christ comes
holding the seven stars. Thus He reminds them that it is He who
yet controls the true ministry of this busy but inwardly dead church.
Verse 2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are
ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Here we see that the words thou art dead of us describe a
condition that is essentially and generally true, but that the final
death has not come yet. This group as in most of the other
churches has not been watchful. Jesus urges them to take
remedial steps.
Verse 3
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast
and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon
you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come
upon you.
Here we see the antidote prescribed. Watch, strengthen,
remember, hold fast and repent. If ignored sudden judgement will
overtake them. G-d often waits and pleads with man to repent.
He waits and then suddenly judgement strikes. Yet even here in
Sardis as long as some life exists, there is still opportunity to avert
the judgement. Mark verse 3 as Judgement of G-d.
Verse 4
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are
worthy.
The deadness in Sardis was at least partially due to some type of
defilement. Yet to those who were unstained Christ pledges an
eternal compensation. They will walk with Christ dressed in white
for they are worthy.
Verse 5 & 6
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will
not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Promise of G-d. To the overcomer who is victorious by faith in
Christ is the promise that he shall forever be clothed in the white
robes of justification from sin. He will confess us in heaven if we
confess Him on earth. Sardis was an excellent example of a
church that Paul said in 2 Tim 3:5, has a form of godliness but
denies the power there of. For the church in Sardis, perhaps its
greatest sin was complacency. Throughout the New Testament
Christ tells us to watch. Today, perhaps as never before in
history, dedicated Christians have come under great attack. To
compromise or be self-sufficient is allowing the helmet to fall over
the battlements of your testimony, to expose a crack, to let Satan
come in and eventually control and destroy.
Verse 7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These
things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key
of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one
opens”:
Twenty five miles south east of Sardis on an eight hundred foot
rise stood Philadelphia. It was founded by the citizens of
Pergamum. The community was built in a frontier area as a
gateway to the central plateau of Asia Minor. The Greek culture
and language was brought in. The city was destroyed by an
earthquake in A.D. 17. Today however, a Christan church once
again resides there. To this city Christ comes as the final
authority on matters of opening and shutting. If He opens any
avenue of opportunity no force can shut it; if He closes the door to
any opposition in cannot enter.
Verse 8
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and
no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My
word, and have not denied My name.
G-d's Promise. This church doesn't have much strength, but to it
Christ announces that He has already opened for them a door of
testimony and success and thus it can be closed by no one.
Verse 9
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say
they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them
come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have
loved you.
G-d's judgement. A true Jew was a true follower of G-d according
to Paul, and thus those who rejected their Messiah were in reality
not truly Jews at all. Christ promises that those Jewish parties
who were disturbing the Philadelphians would be humbled, and
they would be made to know that it was the Christians at
Philadelphia who were the true followers of G-d.
Verse 10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will
keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole
world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Promise of G-d. This promise causes much debate among
today's Christians. The event spoken of is a definite time period
"the hour." It is a period of trial "of temptation." It was a future
from John's day when already Roman imperial persecution had
put John on Patmos and killed Peter and Paul "which shall
come." It was to be a world wide time of trial "upon all the world".
Some believe this verse means there will be a future time of great
tribulation from which true believers will be spared via the
rapture. Others interpret this to mean the church will go through
the tribulation and G-d will keep them strong in the midst of it. Still
others believe this refers to the churches suffering through the
ages. Whatever the case we need to emphasis obeying G-d no
matter what we may face.
Verse 11 & 12
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no
one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make
him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no
more. 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.
G-d's promise. This church which has a little strength is
admonished to hold fast. They are promised to have future
positions likened to the strong pillars before the Temple of G-d.
Christians have different gifts, abilities, experiences and maturity.
G-d doesn't expect us to all act the same, but He does expect us
to hold on to what we have, to persevere in using our resources
for Him. Use what you have to live for Christ and G-d will
commend you. The new Jerusalem is the future dwelling of the
people of G-d. We will have a new citizenship in G-d's future
Kingdom.
Verse 13 & 14
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’ 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True
Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Travelling 45 miles south east from Philadelphia is Laodicea. It
was the wealthiest of the seven cities. It was known for its
banking industry, manufacturing of wool and a medical school that
produced eye salve. To this church Christ comes as the Amen (it
is true) and the faithful and true witness. He comes to this group
because His testimony will conflict with their own opinions of
themselves.
Verse 15
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could
wish you were cold or hot.
Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in
Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and
repugnant. The believers didn't take a stand for anything;
indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for
Christ, the church had become hardened and self satisfied and it
was destroying itself.
Verse 16
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will vomit you out of My mouth.
G-d's judgement. Neutrality toward G-d is unacceptable. Each
person and each church must choose. Because they were
lukewarm G-d put them out of His presence; their church will not
be allowed by G-d to stand under these circumstances.
Indifference is not acceptable on the issues of life. You can't walk
by the cross of Jesus and be sympathetic and just keep on
whistling as you pass. Don't settle for following G-d half-way.
Verse 17
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have
need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked
Some believers falsely assume that numerous material
possessions are a sign of G-d's spiritual blessing. Laodicea was
a wealthy city and church, but the material wealth had become
more valuable to them that what is unseen and eternal. Wealth,
luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied and
complacent. They felt that they needed nothing. It doesn't matter
how much you possess or how much money you make, you have
nothing if you don't have a vital relationship with Christ.
Verse 18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you
may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that
the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint
your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Christ not only names the remedy but also offers to supply it.
Gold tried - indicates a metal superior to the glittering money that
does not produce spiritual gain. White raiment indicates holiness
that must be put on a person. It pictures justification. Anoint with
eye salve commands them to be spiritually anointed, awakened,
so that they might see the love which they should have for Jesus
and the hatred they should have for sin. This would end their
lukewarmness.
Verse 19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous
and repent.
G-d's promise. G-d's purpose in discipline is not to punish, but to
bring people back to Him. You can avoid G-d's discipline by
drawing near to Him again through repentance, service, worship
and studying His word. The Holy Spirit can rekindle and reignite
our zeal for G-d when we allow Him to work in our hearts.
Verse 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him,
and he with Me.
G-d's promise. This promise applies to all people. Jesus wants
to have fellowship with us and He wants us to open up to Him.
He is actively seeking us. He is patient and persistent in trying to
get through to us not breaking and entering but knocking. Christ's
voice is calling over the air waves, in the printed page, through
preaching, and from Christians' who tell others of the Good
News. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to
Him.
Verse 21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Promise of G-d. To the one who overcomes by walking by faith,
Christ promises that He will be privileged to sit with Christ upon
His throne. Ruling with Christ, beside Him upon the same royal
seat, now spiritually and in a more literal sense in the millennium.
Verse 22
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’”
At the end of each letter to these churches, the believers were
urged to listen and take to heart what was written to them.
Although a different message was addressed to each church, all
the messages contain warnings and principles for everyone.
Which question speaks most directly to your church? Which has
the greatest bearing on your own spiritual condition at this time?
How will you respond?
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to
him I will give power over the nations 27 ‘ He shall rule them
with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’
s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will
give him the morning star.
G-d's promise - To the one who overcomes Christ promises the
privilege of ruling in authority with Him over the Nations during the
Millennium. Christ is called the Morning Star. A morning start
appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest.
When the world is at its bleakest point, Christ will burst onto the
scene exposing evil with His light of truth and bringing His
promised reward.
Verse 29
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’
The Names of Jesus in Revelations
1:8 The Alpha and Omega
1:8 The L-rd G-d
1:8 The Almighty
1:13 Son of Man
1:17 The First and Last
1:18 The Living One
2:18 Son of G-d
3:14 Witness
4:11 Creator
5:5 Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Chapter 3:1
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things
says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I
know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but
you are dead.
Thirty three miles South East of Thyatira stands Sardis. Sardis in
antiquity was the portrait of strength, fertility and wealth. It was
the capital of Lydia, whose King Croesus was famed for his
riches, and here at this time Aesop told his politically meaningful
fables. In A.D. 17 an earthquake destroyed the city, but Tiberius
the Roman Emperor rebuilt the city and cancelled its taxes for five
years. The city was destroyed in 1402 A.D. by Tamerlane; only
its ruins remain. This church had a name that had a good
reputation and it appeared to be alive to human eyes, yet G-d
who sees the inner spirit declares it to be dead. Christ comes
holding the seven stars. Thus He reminds them that it is He who
yet controls the true ministry of this busy but inwardly dead church.
Verse 2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are
ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Here we see that the words thou art dead of us describe a
condition that is essentially and generally true, but that the final
death has not come yet. This group as in most of the other
churches has not been watchful. Jesus urges them to take
remedial steps.
Verse 3
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast
and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon
you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come
upon you.
Here we see the antidote prescribed. Watch, strengthen,
remember, hold fast and repent. If ignored sudden judgement will
overtake them. G-d often waits and pleads with man to repent.
He waits and then suddenly judgement strikes. Yet even here in
Sardis as long as some life exists, there is still opportunity to avert
the judgement. Mark verse 3 as Judgement of G-d.
Verse 4
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are
worthy.
The deadness in Sardis was at least partially due to some type of
defilement. Yet to those who were unstained Christ pledges an
eternal compensation. They will walk with Christ dressed in white
for they are worthy.
Verse 5 & 6
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will
not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess
his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
Promise of G-d. To the overcomer who is victorious by faith in
Christ is the promise that he shall forever be clothed in the white
robes of justification from sin. He will confess us in heaven if we
confess Him on earth. Sardis was an excellent example of a
church that Paul said in 2 Tim 3:5, has a form of godliness but
denies the power there of. For the church in Sardis, perhaps its
greatest sin was complacency. Throughout the New Testament
Christ tells us to watch. Today, perhaps as never before in
history, dedicated Christians have come under great attack. To
compromise or be self-sufficient is allowing the helmet to fall over
the battlements of your testimony, to expose a crack, to let Satan
come in and eventually control and destroy.
Verse 7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These
things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key
of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one
opens”:
Twenty five miles south east of Sardis on an eight hundred foot
rise stood Philadelphia. It was founded by the citizens of
Pergamum. The community was built in a frontier area as a
gateway to the central plateau of Asia Minor. The Greek culture
and language was brought in. The city was destroyed by an
earthquake in A.D. 17. Today however, a Christan church once
again resides there. To this city Christ comes as the final
authority on matters of opening and shutting. If He opens any
avenue of opportunity no force can shut it; if He closes the door to
any opposition in cannot enter.
Verse 8
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and
no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My
word, and have not denied My name.
G-d's Promise. This church doesn't have much strength, but to it
Christ announces that He has already opened for them a door of
testimony and success and thus it can be closed by no one.
Verse 9
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say
they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them
come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have
loved you.
G-d's judgement. A true Jew was a true follower of G-d according
to Paul, and thus those who rejected their Messiah were in reality
not truly Jews at all. Christ promises that those Jewish parties
who were disturbing the Philadelphians would be humbled, and
they would be made to know that it was the Christians at
Philadelphia who were the true followers of G-d.
Verse 10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will
keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole
world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Promise of G-d. This promise causes much debate among
today's Christians. The event spoken of is a definite time period
"the hour." It is a period of trial "of temptation." It was a future
from John's day when already Roman imperial persecution had
put John on Patmos and killed Peter and Paul "which shall
come." It was to be a world wide time of trial "upon all the world".
Some believe this verse means there will be a future time of great
tribulation from which true believers will be spared via the
rapture. Others interpret this to mean the church will go through
the tribulation and G-d will keep them strong in the midst of it. Still
others believe this refers to the churches suffering through the
ages. Whatever the case we need to emphasis obeying G-d no
matter what we may face.
Verse 11 & 12
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no
one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make
him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no
more. 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.
G-d's promise. This church which has a little strength is
admonished to hold fast. They are promised to have future
positions likened to the strong pillars before the Temple of G-d.
Christians have different gifts, abilities, experiences and maturity.
G-d doesn't expect us to all act the same, but He does expect us
to hold on to what we have, to persevere in using our resources
for Him. Use what you have to live for Christ and G-d will
commend you. The new Jerusalem is the future dwelling of the
people of G-d. We will have a new citizenship in G-d's future
Kingdom.
Verse 13 & 14
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’ 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True
Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Travelling 45 miles south east from Philadelphia is Laodicea. It
was the wealthiest of the seven cities. It was known for its
banking industry, manufacturing of wool and a medical school that
produced eye salve. To this church Christ comes as the Amen (it
is true) and the faithful and true witness. He comes to this group
because His testimony will conflict with their own opinions of
themselves.
Verse 15
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could
wish you were cold or hot.
Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in
Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and
repugnant. The believers didn't take a stand for anything;
indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for
Christ, the church had become hardened and self satisfied and it
was destroying itself.
Verse 16
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will vomit you out of My mouth.
G-d's judgement. Neutrality toward G-d is unacceptable. Each
person and each church must choose. Because they were
lukewarm G-d put them out of His presence; their church will not
be allowed by G-d to stand under these circumstances.
Indifference is not acceptable on the issues of life. You can't walk
by the cross of Jesus and be sympathetic and just keep on
whistling as you pass. Don't settle for following G-d half-way.
Verse 17
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have
need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked
Some believers falsely assume that numerous material
possessions are a sign of G-d's spiritual blessing. Laodicea was
a wealthy city and church, but the material wealth had become
more valuable to them that what is unseen and eternal. Wealth,
luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied and
complacent. They felt that they needed nothing. It doesn't matter
how much you possess or how much money you make, you have
nothing if you don't have a vital relationship with Christ.
Verse 18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you
may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that
the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint
your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Christ not only names the remedy but also offers to supply it.
Gold tried - indicates a metal superior to the glittering money that
does not produce spiritual gain. White raiment indicates holiness
that must be put on a person. It pictures justification. Anoint with
eye salve commands them to be spiritually anointed, awakened,
so that they might see the love which they should have for Jesus
and the hatred they should have for sin. This would end their
lukewarmness.
Verse 19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous
and repent.
G-d's promise. G-d's purpose in discipline is not to punish, but to
bring people back to Him. You can avoid G-d's discipline by
drawing near to Him again through repentance, service, worship
and studying His word. The Holy Spirit can rekindle and reignite
our zeal for G-d when we allow Him to work in our hearts.
Verse 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him,
and he with Me.
G-d's promise. This promise applies to all people. Jesus wants
to have fellowship with us and He wants us to open up to Him.
He is actively seeking us. He is patient and persistent in trying to
get through to us not breaking and entering but knocking. Christ's
voice is calling over the air waves, in the printed page, through
preaching, and from Christians' who tell others of the Good
News. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to
Him.
Verse 21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Promise of G-d. To the one who overcomes by walking by faith,
Christ promises that He will be privileged to sit with Christ upon
His throne. Ruling with Christ, beside Him upon the same royal
seat, now spiritually and in a more literal sense in the millennium.
Verse 22
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.”’”
At the end of each letter to these churches, the believers were
urged to listen and take to heart what was written to them.
Although a different message was addressed to each church, all
the messages contain warnings and principles for everyone.
Which question speaks most directly to your church? Which has
the greatest bearing on your own spiritual condition at this time?
How will you respond?
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007/2008 |