Today we are going to study the seven churches from Revelations. These seven churches represent all churches today. The number 7 means spiritual completeness. I know that these churches are east and north of Jerusalem, and that they make a circle. But Jesus makes things a whole lot easier for us. Now we are going to start in Rev.1:16 and it reads.
Rev.1:16] And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
This sword out of his mouth is the Word of God.
Rev.1:17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
[18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This is Jesus talking to John. No where is it written that the church “raptured”, this is John the writer of the gospel and of the epistles, now it is given to him to write this book, Revelations.
Rev.1:19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
[20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
We know that Jesus is the Light, and the churches are candlesticks. We are to show that light to the world. You will find in Revelations that Jesus himself explains all, leaving no guessing. Now, let’s continue with chapter 2 and verse 1 reads.
Rev.2:1] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Jesus holds the seven spirits of the churches in his right hand, and he walks in the middle of the churches.
Rev.2:2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
[3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
[4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
[6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
This church worked hard, and kept liars and false teachers out of the church. Has called themselves Christian, but left their first love, that’s Jesus. This means they were deceived at the 6th. trump by Satan. Jesus also said he would take away their light if they didn’t repent. Repentance is required whenever we sin.
Rev.2:8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
[9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
This church is one of two churches that Jesus was OK with. Why? Because they knew and taught who the Kenites are. That Serpents seed. Once you understand this no man can deceive you.
Rev.2:10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
[11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
We shall be delivered up to Satan (Mark 13) and we will stand before him with that gospel armor on. We don’t fear death of the flesh, and this is promised to us, of life everlasting.
Rev.2:12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
[13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Antipas, I think is Enoch but that’s a different study for another day. But, notice that this is done when Satan is where he should not be, that’s Jerusalem. This is at the 6th. trump. 2Thes.2:2-4.
Rev.2:14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
This church taught the rapture doctrine. A stumbling block to Christians today because they worship the first “Jesus” that appears, and that’s the antichrist.
Rev.2:16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Whenever you hear “He that have and ear” know that he is talking to his Elect. If the Lord has opened your eyes and ears then you are an elect, if he hasn’t then keep studying, and pray, he will. He just promised that hidden manna, that’s angels’ food that’s the Word of God. Now, about this stone. G5585 in the Strongs’ and means to be worn smooth over a period of time. when the Lord returns, we go into a new period of time. Next church, verse 18 reads.
Rev.2:18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
[19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
They have works and charity (love). They call themselves Christians and are good people, so what goes wrong.
Rev.2:20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
[23] And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
This specifically was written to the leaders of the church, and He is mad. This death of her children is a spiritual death. They too teach the rapture and cause many of her congregation to die spiritually. He searches their hearts (their minds) and are given according to their works. The only thing we take to heaven are our works. Rev.14:13. Again he says repent.
Rev.2:24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
[25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
This is written to those that are in the congregation. Who still fall short, and believed a lie.
Rev.2:26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
[27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
[28] And I will give him the morning star.
[29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
This promise from Jesus is for them that don’t overcome, it’s not over. We will have the millennium. And we, with Christ will teach. That rod of iron is discipline. This morning star is Lucifer, (the antichrist) not our morning star which is Christ. We keep going and Rev.3:1 reads.
Rev.3:1] And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
[2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
[4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Sardis was to repent because she was a dying congregation. Those that were left were asleep on watch. Remember Jesus had compassion on his disciples that fell asleep. But that he said sleep on for is not the time, well now is the time not to fall asleep.
Rev.3:6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Knowing the key of David, the seed line of Christ and the Serpents seed. Knowing who the Kenites are, then Christ himself will open your eyes and no one can tell you a lie without you seeing their fruits.
Rev.3:8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Once you know the truth no one can tell you different.
Rev.3:9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
They are at your feet because you are in front of them bowing to the Lord, when he returns all knees will bow.
Rev.3:10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Keep us from the hour of temptation because we find Satan to be an abomination. And we know the 6th. trump comes before the 7th. trump. Remember there are 2 baskets of figs, these are the Kenites. That claim to be jews and are not. Philadelphia and Smyrna, funny how Smyrna is a male fig tree, are the only two churches that Jesus excepted.
Rev.3:11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
A pillar holds up the ceiling. Now that’s a great honor. The Father and the Lamb are the temple thereof.
Rev.3:13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
This would be awful to be in this church. Do any of you know a church like this? Maybe they think they don’t stink, or maybe they have clicks and look down on them that are poor. I think we all have seen churches like this. It’s sad, but they are out there.
Rev.3:17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
They are spiritually blind and poor. They will have nothing on in heaven but their shame.
Rev.3:18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Remember when Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man? He used eye salve, and he opened his spiritual eyes first then his fleshly eyes second.
Rev.3:19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
You and I are doing this right now, reading his word and studying his word together. Where ever two or three are, there I Am.
Rev.3:21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Let’s go to his throne.
Father, open our eyes and ears to your word so that we may understand and be able servants of yours. We thank you and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.