Revelation Ch 7

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
JANUARY 13, 2010
THE SCROLL IS OPENED! - Part 2
REVELATION 7

VII. A PARENTHESIS T6 EXPLAIN WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING
A. "After these things..." means after the things he had just seen, not necessarily the things which happened chronologically after.(Rev 6:12ff, see also Matt.24:14ff)
B. To offer a more detailed explanation of an occurrence of an action after it has been stated generally has biblical example. See for instance Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:4-25
C. With the opening of the seals we have seen what God is doing broadly in the whole world but the brunt of His actions have been focused on an unbelieving world. Is God slack in His promises? Has He been treating the righteous in the same manner as the unrighteous? What about His promise to the righteous to spare them from His wrath?

VIII. GOD'S PRESERVATION OF HIS OWN PEOPLE- 7:1-17
A. The 4 angels holding the winds of earth
1. They were to continue the punishing of unbelief by withholding the winds from cooling the surface of the earth
2. Another angel, with the seal of the living God, tells them to halt the action until he could finish sealing those of the servants of God in Israel.
3. God has a perpetual, everlasting covenant with Israel
a. They are the ones for whom the New Covenant was given. It is a covenant with Israel not the Gentiles…Rom. 9-11; Jer 31:31
b. God has not "cast away" His people, Israel, for they are to be the recipients of the Messiah and His kingdom promised to David.
4. This fifth angel which ascends from the east is about to seal (preserve) unto God the servants of God from the tribes, of Israel.
B. God's preservation of a working group of "priests" from Israel.
1. They are already redeemed for they are His. They have probably already been about the work of witness for the True Christ from somewhere near the beginning of the Tribulation. They would have
been a part of the promised restoration of Israel in Ezekiel 36 and 37 and responsible for the witness that draws in multitudes of Gentiles. These same Gentiles are the ones who are the redeemed in the second half of this chapter! They are the world's greatest evangelists and are the fulfillment of the preaching of the gospel in Matthew 24:14
2. They are being sealed for preservation in the coming judgments which are about to come upon the earth (last 3 ½ years)
3. The tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not included in this list though they are among the inheritors of the kingdom (Ez. 48:1-2, 32). These two tribes had a bent toward idolatry worse than the others
4. Their sealing is for the continued work of the witness of the True Christ in the days of the Great Tribulation. Their sealing is probably around the middle of the Tribulation. It may have been before the Tribulation began.
5. From chapter 14 we see that the 144,000 are indeed a special class of followers of the Lamb. They sing a song only they can know and sing. They are virgins, not defiled with women. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were redeemed as first fruits to God and the Lamb. There is no guile in them and they are without fault before the Throne of God.
C. God's consecrated mass from the Gentiles
1. John here sees a group that no one can number
a. They are from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues
b. They are seen standing before the Throne and before the Lamb
c. They are clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands
d. They sing a very clear song of Salvation which led the angels, the living creatures and the elders to fall down before the Throne and worship God with a voice in unison declaring the glory of God's Being and Work. These are those who have come from the greatest response to the gospel in all of history.
2. One of the elders asks John who these people are. Since John obviously could not know yet he returns the question. The elder's response is
a. They have come out of the Great Tribulation (second half – last 3 ½ years)
b. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white
c. These are believers who have died as martyrs and as well as the horrible and deadly judgments that fall upon the earth
during the Tribulation. We had already seen that martyrdom was going on in the first half of the Tribulation now we see that as the Tribulation goes on and more people turn to the True Christ, more of them will die and be glorified as these are.
d. They are before the Throne and serve Him in the temple day and night (how is there day and night? Which temple - heaven or earth?). The One sitting on the Throne dwells among them
e. They neither hunger nor thirst anymore
f. The sun will not strike them nor any heat as for instance in Rev 16:8 during the fourth bowl judgment
g. The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to fountains of living water. He will wipe away every tear.

Revelation Ch 5

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009 - SPRING 2010
DECEMBER 30,2009
VISIONS OF HEAVEN - Part 2

V. ACTIVITY AT THE THRONE OF GOD Rev. 5:1-14
A. In the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, a scroll v.1
1. Written on the front and the back
2. Sealed with seven seals
3. The scroll's identity and content are not revealed at first
a. Its importance seems evident to all that are present; some, including John, seem to understand its importance
b. Opening it seems to be a matter of importance and urgency
B. A strong angel proclaims with a loud voice that it must be opened and looks for one to open it vv. 2-4
1. Apparently this scroll is very important and its being open is a necessity.
2. It requires someone of great importance and worth to open it. Not just anyone can take it from the hand of God and open it.
3. No one in heaven or on earth was worthy enough to open it or even to look at it. We are not told who sets the standard for worth but certainly in the presence of God it would have to be God alone. Yet the word of disqualification does not seem to be coming from the throne. It seems to be self-determined - no one would dare admit worth without God's affirmation first. Who is holy or worthy in the presence of God? V.3
4. John is visibly shaken and grieved by this lack of one to open it. He is in a continuous state of weeping. We are not told what would happen if no one was found worthy to open it, but John somehow knew that it would be serious if it was not opened. V.4
5. The book of the Revelation is the content and material found in the scroll. As the scroll is opened it reveals all the content from Revelation 6 through 22. It is the story of the final redemption of all that God had created! The book of Revelation is the scroll with the seven seals. If the scroll had not been able to be opened the book of the Revelation would not exist after Rev. 5:4 and great sorrow would be ours today for we would be forever locked into sin, death, ever worsening deeds of the flesh and corruption.
C. One of the elders sees John's sorrow and comforts him with words of the discovery of a Worthy One to open the scroll and reveal its contents. V.5
1. He identifies Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah of the Root of David for which see Gen. 49:8-10 and Isa 11:1
2. He says regarding Him that He has prevailed or overcome to open the scroll and loose its seven seals. It appears that the thing He has overcome was His death as a substitute for the sins of man. His overcoming was His resurrection.
3. These acts of sacrifice, authority and power have been adequate to make Him worthy to open the scroll and loose its seven seals.
D. John sees the One who is worthy to open the scroll and loose the seals. V.6
1. What John sees is actually a sacrificial Lamb standing at the Throne of God in the midst of the living creatures and the elders.
2. The word used for lamb here is the diminutive form as if speaking of the small lamb that was brought in for Passover. Such a lamb was almost a family pet by the time it was sacrificed.
3. The appearance of the lamb is as if it had been killed for the sacrifice. This meant the throat had been cut so that it "bled out".
4. The lamb also had seven horns and seven eyes
a. Seven horns: The horn in the OT is seen as a symbol of warrior/conqueror/king power when it is speaking of humans or when it is found on a living beast whether in reality or in a vision. In the Scriptures, the number seven is seen as the perfect number or the number of perfection or completion. The lamb with 7 horns then would be a warrior/conqueror/king with omnipotent power yet with the harmless appearance of a gentle lamb.
b. Seven eyes: We are told in the context that these are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth for which see Isa 11:2. This is a reference to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the Father and the Son. This is showing the omniscience of the lamb.
5. This is a lamb of sacrifice and delivery as in the Passover. It is not a ram as a sin offering as prescribed in the law. This is the sacrifice of redemption and salvation for the people of God, the saints. Yet He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
6. Some difficulties with this scene are the Lamb's wounds are not in His side, hands and feet but rather the signs of a sacrifice, which would be the cut throat. The analogy with Christ's wounds should not be pressed to far or we no longer see this Lamb' as Jesus the Christ and must come up with a new identity for the Lamb. This mortally wounded Lamb is symbolic of the sacrificial death. The Lamb is standing in victory having been killed but not dead!
E. The Lamb takes the scroll out of the hand of the One seated on the Throne. V.7
1. A little difficulty in understanding here with the way in which the Lamb took the scroll from the hand. As a lamb of course He does not have hands. We are not told He took it in His mouth. Though the manner is not described for us, John sees that the scroll is now with the person of the Lamb.
2. We know that without objection from anyone in Heaven or from the Throne of God, the scroll comes into the possession of the Lamb. The Lamb is worthy to take it and to look upon it.
F. A spontaneous outburst of praise and worship comes from the four living creatures and the 24 elders v.8
1. Both groups fall down before the Lamb, indicating His deity and worth. Since their worship had been confined to the worship of God and God alone, this Lamb must be equal to God to receive such worship. No rebuke is forthcoming from the Throne indicating that God has approved of this worship that is taking place with them. Since God shares His glory with no one Isa 42:8 this Lamb must be God. Jesus is the only One in history who has claimed equality with God, to be His Son, to have the approval of God, to be crucified and raised again. This Lamb is Jesus in another symbolic form of His authority, power, humility and substitutionary sacrifice.
2. Some difficulties arise in understanding what takes place after both groups fall down in worship before the Lamb. Do both groups have harps? Are both groups holding golden bowls of incense? The English translation cannot reflect the difference that is indicated by the Greek. The living creatures are designated as neuter and the elders as masculine. The word translated "having" is a masculine participle. In Greek, there must be gender and number agreement for words to go together. We conclude from the use of the masculine that it is the elders only who have the harps and bowls.
3. The harps are the type of instrument used for singing psalms and prophesying for which see 1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Ch 25:1. This instrument is used to worship God and to reflect on His prophetic pronouncements.
4. The golden bowls of incense are identified as being the prayers of the saints. To which saints is this referring? The options are:
a. The saints of all time up to the point that John is witnessing?
b. Israel only since this is the term used most often of them in the OT?
c. The church saints?
d. The saints martyred during the tribulation?
e. It is my view that these are prayers of all saints of all time that have been prayed for the end of the suffering sin has brought on, for coming of the kingdom of God in its finality ("Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"), for the end of the sin and death cycle, for the final redemption of man, for vindication for the lives persecuted for their righteousness in believing God etc. These prayers are being offered up especially now in this scene which is the beginning of the final act of the drama of creation, fall and redemption.
G. The spontaneous outburst of praise and worship included a new song.
1. The song is new in that a new but planned action is now being initiated. The song could not have been sung before the final redemption had taken place. With the standing of the slain Lamb, a new song of redemption and delivery of the whole cosmos can now be sung. The new promised cosmos and era of righteousness is beginning.
2. The song is focused on the Lamb and His finished work.
a. The Lamb is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals
b. The reason of the Lamb's worth is His having been slain and as a result, having redeemed, by His blood, for God, men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation
c. The fact He is standing and alive is not mentioned in the song because it is clearly evident that He is.
d. They then acknowledge the changed situation for the now redeemed men as that of kings and priests who will rule on earth.
3. Difficulties with this song are found in the use of the pronouns us or "them" and with the identity of the singers. Some manuscripts read "us" showing that the singers themselves have been redeemed by the Lamb and are destined to rule on earth. The difficulty with this is that the singers have been identified as the elders and the living creatures. If the elders are resurrected redeemed humans this makes good sense. But it does not make sense for the living creatures to be singing this song. For, to our knowledge, the living creatures have not been redeemed and are clearly not human. Other manuscripts read "them" showing that the singers are speaking of a group other than themselves. This would make the elders and the living creatures alike not redeemed humans but nonetheless worshipping the Lamb for His work in redeeming corrupted humanity from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. It is my view that the pronouns in this song should be third person, plural, "them", and not first person, plural, "us" and that the identity of the singers are the specially created living creatures and a special group of creatures known as the elders who were created at the time the heaven and earth were created with the other beings such as the angels, cherubim and seraphim.
H. Their spontaneous outburst has a ripple effect with everything else in the cosmos!
1. The first group that breaks out into song is the angels around the Throne.
a. They are said to be millions in numbers (10,000 times 10,000 = 1,000,000! Then they are said to be thousands of thousands)
b. They are saying (not singing) with a loud voice that the Lamb is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Their song is continuous.
2. The second group that now sings includes everything not directly around the Throne.
a. This group includes every creature in heaven (winged creatures such as birds but it may include a yet unnamed group of creatures who, like the angels, are a part of the heavenly.

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009 - SPRING 2010
JANUARY 06, 2010
THE SCROLL IS OPENED! - Part 1
Revelation Ch 6

I. THE LAMB OPENS THE SCROLL; FIRST SEAL - THE RIDER ON THE
WHITE HORSE - MILITARY CONQUEST…opens the Tribulation period
A. John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see the result of opening the Scroll's seals
B. He sees at the opening of the first seal, a White Horse and its Rider
1. He has a bow
2. He is given a crown (stephanos - the victor’s crown, not the diadem of Christ’s rulership)
3. He is going out conquering and to conquer
a. The bow signifies his militaristic foundation and desire
b. His crown is that of a conqueror not a ruler; He is more military than political at this point
c. He is given authority and power to conquer (NOTE: God is the one who gives authority and power to conquer and He does so for His own purposes of which is that nations might seek Him)
4. These are the judgments 0) God against an obstinate and rebellious people who have for generations practiced resisting God. Therefore this seal should be seen as a judgment. Consequently, this
conqueror is not Christ but War and its destruction. (Spirit being??)
5. The rider (and all the riders after this) are not identified as humans…much controversy here from commentaries who identify the rider as both Christ and then Anti-Christ.

II. SECOND SEAL - RED HORSE - AN INFLAMMATORY REMOVAL OF PEACE FROM THE EARTH
A. John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see the result of opening Second Seal
B. He sees a red horse and its Rider
1. He is given authority to remove peace from the earth - people become implacable and impossible to entreat
2. Corresponding with this removal is the inflaming of people into a murderous rage - the people go into a rage about the smallest item and seek the death of the object of their rage
3. He is given a great sword
a. The sword signifies the murder he inspires people to commit
b. This rider is Anger and Murder, not just a solitary person

III. THIRD SEAL - BLACK HORSE - SCARCITY ON EARTH ESPECIALLY
IN THE FOOD MARKET
A. John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see the result of opening Second Seal
B. He sees a black horse and its rider

1. He has in his hand a pair of scales by means of which he is measuring the cost of the essentials of life
2. It appears that there is a food shortage but plenty of money. We are not told if the food shortage is a result of natural disaster or as a result of the military conquest and/or the continuous enraged killing
3. Obviously, there is a lot of killing and death going on. It is possible that weather conditions have reduced crop production significantly enough for there to be a scarcity but no mention in the context is about weather.
a. It is entirely possible that much of the food production has been transferred to the front lines of the conquering/defending armies of seal one.
b. It is also possible that many of the available field workers are engaged in the war of seal one or have been murdered as a result of seal two. It is conceivable that not enough people are engaged in the production of food to stay up with the demand
c. It is also conceivable that much of the food-producing land has been destroyed by the acts of war. It is also possible that those fields have now become battlefields. It is possible that the potential for the fields to become battlefields that has scared workers for fear, away from working those fields. d. It is also conceivable that the costs of war have made necessary the printing of more unbacked, fiat money creating hyper-inflation. This means that there very well may be enough products but the money is of no value so the price of it has gone up to impossible levels.
e. But it is certain that God has ordained this shortage or inequity of food and resources
f. This rider is Famine, Hyper-Inflation, and the corresponding characteristics, not just a solitary person

IV. FOURTH SEAL - PALE HORSE - DEATH WITH HADES FOLLOWING
A. John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see the result of opening the 4th Seal
B. He sees a pale horse and its rider
1. The rider is identified as Death
2. Following him closely is Hades. Hades is the abode of the spirits of the wicked, unbelieving dead. This gives us a picture that most of those dying during this first half of the tribulation are those who have rejected the gospel of the kingdom of Christ Jesus our Lord and the God of the gospel
3. He is authorized and empowered to kill one fourth of earth's population. As an example, just given earth's current population of 5.5 (or 6) billion he is authorized to kill 1.375 billion people! His methods for doing this are:

a. He will use the sword, i.e. war and murder
b. He will use starvation and hunger
c. He will use "natural causes
d. He is authorized to engage the hungry animals in the destruction of their human "masters"
e. 25% of earth's population will be destroyed in this first 3½ years of the Tribulation. Many millions more are to follow

V. FIFTH SEAL - THE VISION OF THE PRAYERS OF THE SOULS OF THE
MARTYRS BENEATH THE ALTAR
A. Since all four creatures have spoken no one speaks this time as John witnesses the opening of the fifth seal
B. He sees the souls of the martyrs who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held
1. These are souls without bodies so they have not experienced the resurrection yet. How does one see a soul without a body? They are
beneath the altar of God so they are in His presence even though obviously they have been murdered.
2. They have been martyred so they were killed by the forces of Anti-Christ during the first half of the Tribulation
3. It may be that these are Christians who have been murdered or martyred since Jesus left the earth at His ascension but they should
have been resurrected before this time if the rapture occurred before the Tribulation.
4. They are engaged in prayer to God for vengeance for their lives
5. God's response to their prayer is to urge them to wait a little longer until the rest of the martyrs were martyred
a. A white robe is given to each of them
b. Does this robe mean that they were given bodies upon which to hang those robes?
Supporting scriptures: 2 Thess 1; 2 Pet 3; and Genesis during the time of Noah

VI. SIXTH SEAL –THE VISION OF THE SHAKE UP OF HEAVEN AND
EARTH'S ENVIRONMENT
A. As with the previous seal, no one speaks this time as John witnesses the opening of the sixth seal
B. He sees a great earthquake shake up some unidentified portion of the earth.
C. He sees the sun become black as sackcloth
D. He sees the moon become like blood
E. He sees the stars of heaven fall to the earth like figs falling off a fig tree in a strong wind
F. He sees the sky roll back like a scroll, no doubt revealing the scene of the Throne Room of God
G. He sees the reaction of every kind of man left living on the earth hiding in every cave and under every rock they could find to avoid the presence and the sight of the One who has revealed Himself in Heaven - the Lord God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth!
H. He hears them cry out to the mountains and the rocks …unbelievers

1. They seek for the mountains and the rocks to fall on them and hide them from face of Him who sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. They are aware of why these things are happening; they are not ignorant; they are willful rejecters of Christ who know the penalty on their unbelief and disobedience
2. They are totally devoid of repentance and have rejected faith. Since they have been serving the creature rather than the Creator, their prayer is to the creature (creation) instead of to God.
3. They are of full understanding that the long prophesied, long dreaded, long spoken of, great day of His wrath has come. They have scoffed at those who have believed it for centuries. Their words have been harsh and they have ridiculed those who believed it, even persecuted them and killed them. Now they know, as they have known, that it is upon them and they are without hope and answer. They know no one can stand before the wrath of God!

MORE TO COME ON THE WRATH COMING FROM THE
OPENING OF THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH SEALS IN
THE WEEKS AHEAD! ARE YOU PREPARED TO
MEET YOUR CREATOR WITH THE ANSWER OF FAITH???

Letters to the Churches

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
DECEMBER 09,2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 8

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at LAODICEA
A. The City - 100 miles east of Ephesus, Laodicea was the southern most city in the cities addressed by John. It formed a triad of cities in the Lycus valley with Colossae 10 miles to the east and Hieropolis 6 miles to the north. It was located high on a plateau which made it almost impregnable. Almost because it had to pipe in its water which a besieging army could cut off with a little effort leaving the city without water. "The lukewarmness for which, thanks to this letter, the name of Laodicea has become proverbial, may reflect the condition of the city's water supply. The water supplied by the spring... was tepid and nauseous by the time it was unlike the therapeutic hot water of Hierapolis or the refreshing cold water of Colossae (Rudwick and Green 1958) (padfield. corn). "Water piped into Laodicea by aqueduct from the south was so concentrated with minerals that the Roman engineers designed vents, capped by removable stones, so the aqueduct pipes could periodically be cleared of deposits." (John McRay, Archaeology And The New Testament, p.248). It is believed that a large Jewish population was present based on a confiscated temple tax. It looks like there would have been 7500 Jewish males and, of course, based on this that many wives and a few thousand more children! There presence was probably due to their re-settlement by Anitochus III who had moved 2000 Jewish families into the region. The city became an immigration center. It was positioned at the junction of two main roads making it an important commercial center. Because of this it was an important banking center. It was rich enough that when an earthquake devastated it, they paid for their own reconstruction. It was a wealthy city. The city was also known for its soft, black wool which was sought after. It was a center for medicine as well. It was known for an eye salve that was exported all over the Greco-Roman world. The god most worshipped in Laodicea was Men Karou whose temple was the center of society and administration as well as religion. A market and the medical school were located in it. People called on Men for healing, safety and prosperity. The crescent moon was one of his common symbols! As moon god he was associated with the Underworld, agricultural fertility, and the protection of tombs. MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Revelation 1-11, Moody Press, 1999, p.135; Thomas, Robert, An Exegetical Commentary. Revelation 1-7, Barker, Kenneth, general editor, Moody Press, 1992, p.299.

B. The Church - The church's founding is not mentioned in the book of Acts and we know that Paul had not been there (Col 2:1) From Colossians 4:12-13 it can be surmised that the church may have been founded by Epaphras of Colossae. A fourth century document, The Apostolic Constitutions, states that Archippus, son of Philemon, was the bishop at Laodicea (see Col 4:16-17 and Philemon 2) MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Revelation 1-11, Moody Press, 1999, p.134; Thomas, Robert, An Exegetical Commentary. Revelation 1-7, Barker, Kenneth, general editor, Moody Press, 1992, p.299.

II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who is the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation - No commendation is given them.

B. His charge or criticism - He states several things that are wrong and which must be changed
1. v.15 He has perfect knowledge of their works, both the actions and the motivations. A person's faith is known by his works (James 2:14- 26). We are saved by grace alone and our works confirm or deny the presence of genuine salvation. A born-again believer is inhabited by the Spirit of God and He it is who motivates, energizes and empowers the believer to be fruitful. It is not simply human effort that reveals our faith. By their deeds they are neither hot nor cold and He wishes they were one or another. This is analogous to the water system in Laodicea which we spoke of above; it was not refreshing to drink. Their works were not healing or refreshing.
They were of no value.
a. Jesus "wishes" they were hot. Hot is not a term often used in a good sense in the Scriptures. It usually refers to someone's anger or wrath being aroused to an explosive level where it is ready to act. I do not see that he was wishing they would be explosively angry people. It is also used in the Scriptures for the effect some heat source such as the sun or the oven near Nebuchadnezzar's image. But there is one use of "hot" that does seem it might point to our Lord's idea for us. PS 39:3 My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

b. Jesus "wishes" they were cold. Contrary to some thoughts, I do
not think here He is speaking of those who reject Christ
(MacArthur, p.136). I do not see that Jesus anywhere
wishes people were Christ-rejecters. I see this as Jesus
wishing they were refreshing people as per these verses of the sacred text: Prov 25:25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
Mt 10:42 "And whoever gives one of these little ones
only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple,
assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his
reward." (NKJV)
Those without a living vital relationship to Jesus Christ can-
not give the refreshment that salvation is, for in them it is
not refreshing. They may be apostate or Christ-rejecters as
MacArthur suggests but it does not look like false-teaching
they are suffering from but lack of application of what they
know to be true; perhaps lack of sweet fellowship with the
Lord Jesus Christ and ignorance of what could be if they had
it. They are really accomplishing nothing even though they
are doing something called "works" or "deeds". They look to
be "doing" the Christian life from their own energy.
c. Here we have a group of people who have grown comfortable
with the culture in which they reside. They have enough of
the content of the gospel or biblical truth that they have
assented to it; but they seem to have little more to their
understanding about Christ. They are living what Bonhoeffer
called "cheap grace." Here are some quotes from him:
"cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring
repentance, baptism without church discipline. Communion
without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship,
grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ."
"Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the
justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything they
say, and so everything can remain as it was before. 'All for sin could not atone.' Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world's standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin...." They have not seen how self-righteous, self-sufficient, but lacking in self-reflection.
They have grieved the Spirit of God in them, if indeed He is
in them. Jesus seems to be treating these people as if they
were believers or at least those who thought they were
believers. But Jesus Himself says He is outside knocking to
come in!

2. v.17 There was a blind hypocrisy going on with them. Like the city
around them, they felt they were rich, had become wealthy and had need of nothing. Unlike the other churches which seemed to struggle for their existence, they had the resources they needed to conduct their concept of ministry. Unlike Philadelphia whose members were probably small in number and influence, Laodicea had a good crowd and many were apparently rich and influential. They had not taken a true assessment of their condition. A church's true condition is not based on its relative condition compared with the culture it is in, but on how it is in its obedience to Christ. He saw
them as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. MacArthur writes
"They are not cold enough to feel the bitter sting of their sin. Consequently, there is no one further from the truth than the one who makes an idle profession but never experiences genuine saving faith. No one is harder to
reach for Christ than a false Christian" p.137 Of course, here MacArthur is addressing them as if "cold" means "Christ-rejecters".

C. His declaration and promises
1. Because of their pathetic condition in presenting themselves (potentially therapeutic or refreshing) as something they are not (instead they are "lukewarm"), He is going to spew them from His mouth. He is attempting to have fellowship with them (He has them "in his mouth") but they are having none of it. He will separate them from His fellowship ("spew" them out)
2. Because of their arrogance and conceit at believing they are the real, genuine thing ("you say you are rich...") and blatant failure to align
them-selves with the Perfect One, who is the Faithful and True Witness, he is going to
a. Give them his assessment of their true condition: they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. It would seem these emotional and moral states of being should be recognized by them but it is not. It is as if they are in a concentration camp they have been in so long they have grown accustomed to the misery seeing them selves as having it pretty good! They no longer recognize their true conditions. They have forgotten what they had when they were free men. They are lazy and content with it!
b. Give them counsel on how to remedy this pitiful, shameful state of carnality.
aa. Buy from Him gold, refined in the fire! He was the only source for this richness and gold; it could not be purchased by any created thing nor is this gold any created thing. They had been lulled to sleep by their affluence. But their gold was going to get them nothing in eternity. They needed the gold that comes from trials of faith stemming from standing for the Truth. This is the valid building materials needed for an eternally rewarded life. 1 Pe 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (NKJV) 1 Co 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this
foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the
Day will declare it, because it will be revealed
by fire; and the fire will test each one's work,
of what sort it is.
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it
endures, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer
loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as
through fire. (NKJV)
bb. Buy from Him white garments! White garments in the
Scriptures are a picture of the imputed righteousness
of Christ given at the point of the new birth when one
places faith in Christ. Saving faith is persevering
faith. It is the faith of overcomers.
Re 3:4 "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.
Re 3:5 '1He 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.
Re 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw
under the altar the souls of those who had
been slain for the word of God and for the
testimony which they held.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying,
"How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, until You
judge and avenge our blood on those who
dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of
them; and it was said to them that they should
rest a lttle while longer, until both the
number of their fellow servants and their
brethren, who would be killed as they were,
was completed. (NKJV)
Rev 7:13 _ Then one of the elders answered,
saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white
robes, and where did they come from?"
Rev 7:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So
he said to me, "These are the ones who come
out of the great tribulation, and washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.
Rev 19:8 And to her it was granted to be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the
fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Apparently they had assented to Christ with their
intellect but had not assented to Him with their will
Thus they were using the name of Christ without the
power of Christ. Consequently they had no enduring
or righteous deeds since apart from Him we can do
nothing. Their city was famous for a soft, smooth
black wool and it had been part of their affluence.
They are not clothed in black which would picture the
filthy, sinful garments of the unregenerate. They are
naked not clothed in the old garments of sin. They
are naked like our first parents because of lack of
obedience to God's Word.
cc. Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Here
is another analogy with which they would be familiar.
Laodicea's medicine school was known for its salve
that allegedly helped people see. It was not their
physical eyes that needed healing but their "spiritual" eyes. Like the blind man of John 9, they needed the salve of correct questions leading to correct conclusions about the person and work of Jesus the Christ even if it cost them some public embarrassment. They had not gone far enough in their understanding of Jesus.
3. He only rebukes and chastens those He loves. Therefore His rebuke
and chastening of them comes as a result of His love for them. They are His but they are doing wrong! He tells them to be zealous and repent. 2 C0L 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (NKJV)
4. He stands at the door and knocks. Here is what He wants.
a. "If anyone hears His voice and opens the door..." This is Jesus knocking on the door of the Laodicean church not simply the individual's heart. It is the church He is speaking to; if anyone in that church hears His voice (John 10:3,4,27) and opens the door (to let Him in) that one whom opens the door will find the fellowship, communion and intimacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the abiding Jesus spoke of at the last dining opportunity He had with His disciples before He died. It is a shared intimacy (John 15:4) that is the ground of fruitfulness that produces worthy deeds. They had no worthy deeds to be commended for and we thus conclude they were not in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.


APPLICATIONS: What have we learned from the letters to the churches thus far?
Ephesus - Be cautious, do the work of discernment but keep your love
for the Lord red hot
Smyrna - Suffering will come from Satan and his crew but do not fear
suffering for He has greater for us than this
Pergamos - Do not allow compromise with anything into your church,
especially those who would ensnare you with idolatrous
celebrations and sexual immorality and those who would steal your liberty (freedom with personal responsibility) and your position as priests.
Thyatira - Retain order in your church; do not allow women who
declare themselves to be prophetesses to have a podium and
influence believers to immoral and idolatrous behavior.
Allow no one to have a podium who will lead you into sexual immorality and compromise. Avoid the fascination with the occult.
Sardis - Be watchful, hold that which is true, do not waver with the
culture, keep every living thing sustained and empowered, and keep yourself pure.
Philadelphia - Though you may be small in number, those who believe have a secured place with Christ in the kingdom (the door which has been opened and no one can shut!). Do not be afraid to stand boldly for Christ!
Laodicea - A vital, healthy relationship and intimacy with Christ is
essential to a church for it to be a church. Christianity is a personal relationship to Christ.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming will be granted authority to sit on the throne with Jesus in the same way He overcame and sat down on the throne with His Father.

V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN

Is it the end of global warming?

Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
DECEMBER 02, 2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 7

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at PHILADELPHIA
A. The City - Founded sometime after 189 BC by either King Eumenes or his brother, Attalus II, of Pergamum. Attalus II became its king and his loyalty to his brother earned him the title of "Philadelphus", "brother lover", and the city retained that name as its own. Though a very defensible location, it was not built as a military outpost but as a center for promoting and spreading Hellenistic culture and language to the surrounding regions of Lydia and Phyrgia. The effort was successful enough that by 19 AD the Lydian language had been replaced with Greek. As we have seen previously, a massive earthquake with an epicenter near Philadelphia, in 17 AD destroyed Sardis and 10 other cities in the area. Because Philadelphia was near the epicenter it suffered a number of aftershocks intimidating many of the residents to live outside the city for a lengthy period of time. As Tiberius had helped a number of other cities he also assisted Philadelphia in rebuilding and a monument to him was built in Rome by the cities he had helped. Philadelphia even changed its name to Neocaesarea. It also established the cult of Germanicus, the adopted son and heir of Tiberius Later when the Flavian family became the ruling family of Rome, it changed its name to Flavia and retained both this name and the name of Philadelphia through the second and third centuries. Its volcanic, fertile soil made this location perfect for vineyards. As a result it appears its patron god was Dionysus, the god of wine, agriculture and the theatre. "He" was known for producing ritual madness from intoxicants. The city also profited from being at the junction of several important trade routes. MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11, Moody Press, 1999, pp.120-121; Thomas, Robert, An Exegetical Commentarv. Revelation 1-7, Barker, Kenneth, general editor, Moody Press, 1992, pp.270-272.

B. The Church - It is not known how this church was planted but it is assumed it may have been a part of the "overflow" ministry of the church in Ephesus. The early church father, Ignatius, passed through here on his way to martyrdom in Rome. Before his martyrdom he wrote a letter to this church. Some of the Christian brethren from Philadelphia were martyred with Polycarp in Smyrna. This church lasted for centuries standing firm even after the region was overrun by Muslims when it finally died out in the mid-fourteenth century. MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Revelation 1-11, Moody Press, 1999, p.120

II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who is holy, who is True, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. See also Isaiah 22:22
A. Holy - the One truly set apart for one purpose alone - Messiah
B. True - The One who is genuine, authentic and real.
C. The Key of David - The key to the house of David's treasury and office found in the city of David, the New Jerusalem. He is the King God had promised to the house of David. And He alone owns and operates that key. He is the inheritor of the kingdom that this key opens. Only those coming through Him will enter the kingdom. With this key He is sovereign in those who enter and those who do not. By type, God had given the high priest and prime minister, Eliakim, the key to the treasury of the house of David and the only access to the king. All usurpers and wannabes need not apply!
D. Who opens and no one shuts - What Christ has opened to someone is opened for them and no declaration by any other can close that door. Whom Christ invites to the kingdom cannot be controlled by anyone else.
E. Who shuts and no one opens - By the same way, whomever Christ disallows entrance will be in no way able to enter in. No pronouncement by any ecclesiastical body can put those whom Christ has disallowed into the kingdom.

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation - Found in verses 8 and 10 and is different from what has been said to the other churches.
...1. You have a little strength - this probably refers to their small numbers. Philadelphia was more than likely a small church made up primarily of the lower classes (see 1 Cor 1:26-29; Js 2:5). It would be easy to feel overwhelmed in such a prosperous gateway town as Philadelphia was. They had little physical, financial, political or social strength as the way of the world goes. But He saw in them His own strength that cared little for the strength viewed by man. (Jer 9:23-24)
...2. You have kept my word - Not only had they preserved the written
documents of the Word of God but they had also kept it in their hearts and been obedient to it.
... 3. You have not denied my name - In an age in which the Romans had
persecuted Christians for their denial of the deity of the emperor, these believers are commended for not denying the name of Jesus as Lord, Christ, Messiah, King and Savior. They had held fast to who He is and what He did.
...4. You have persevered - in the middle of the toughest times they had continued as a church and as individuals to keep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ most likely in peril of their own lives. History shows this church persevered through to the mid-fourteenth century.

B. His charge or criticism - No real criticism is offered to this church but they are charged to hold fast what they had and not let it go.

C. His declaration and promises
... 1. I have set before you an open door - in light of Him being the One who holds the key of David, this is to let them know that their place in the coming messianic kingdom was being held by Him. No one could shut them out of it. Regardless of how powerless they felt in light of their small numbers, the Lord Jesus, King of the coming kingdom saw them as a valued part of His Kingdom. Some have held this is an evangelistic opportunity for them but that does not make sense in the passage itself where He is commending them fortheir good work. He is seeking to reassure them that in light of their small number to influence the community, because they had
persevered in this location, He was holding their place. They should have no fear to continue what they have been doing in reaching Philadelphia with the gospel of the kingdom.
...2. Though no historical evidence is now available to show a large Jewish presence in Philadelphia, the Lord Jesus notes the presence of a synagogue there. It too may have been small since it only took 20 Jewish males to have a synagogue. He labels it a "synagogue of Satan" made up of those who say they are Jews but are not. This group must have been trying to close the door to the kingdom to the gentiles, telling them they had to become Jews first. Note that Jesus acknowledges the spiritual warfare going on. Behind these Jewish people was Satan goading them into bigotry by disbelieving what God had said about Christ, the Spirit, the promises of God, the kingdom and the entrance of the gentiles into it by faith in Christ. This is demonic wisdom not wisdom from God. A Jew is not a Jew simply because he is born one or made one by circumcision; true Jews are Jews inwardly (Rom 2:28-29).
... 3. The Lord Jesus will make those of this synagogue of Satan come and worship before their feet. Note: this is not worship of the believers in Philadelphia but the worship of Jesus at the feet of the believers of Philadelphia. In other words, He would cause the believers to triumph over these liars and they would get to see it in the end of all things.
...4. He was going to keep them from the hour of trial which was to come
upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on earth. This we believe is the Tribulation. This is the time of trouble such as has never been on earth before. It will be a time of God's wrath, Satan's wrath, bloodshed, death, disease, demonic involvement like never before, famine, cosmic cataclysm etc. culminating in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said of that time that if it had not been cut short even the elect would have perished. His promise to them was that for their perseverance (steadfast faith which is a sign of saving faith) they would be totally delivered from this period. This we believe is the purpose of the pre-tribulation rapture.
...5. He assures them to be alert for He is coming quickly! How quick is
quickly? This is at the heart of the preterist/millennial argument. Was Jesus lying to the Philadelphians? Was He coming quickly? It has been 2000 years now since that time. We are faced with only two options: He has come (preterist position) and we have misunderstood what Jesus said about the fantastic human, demonic and cosmic changes that will accompany that or He has not come (premillenial position) and we do not understand His terms of time.
...6. He charges them to hold fast what they have and no one will take their crown from them. This deals with the believer's gain for enduring in the struggle in this world. James had told us in verse 12 in the first chapter of his epistle: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (NKJV) Endurance promises the reward of a crown which no one can take from him!

APPLICATIONS:
What have we learned from the letters to the churches thus far?
...... Ephesus - Be cautious, do the work of discernment but keep your love for the Lord red hot
......Smyrna - Suffering will come from Satan and his crew but do not fear suffering for He has greater for us than this
......Pergamos - Do not allow compromise with anything into your church, especially those who would ensnare you with idolatrous celebrations and sexual immorality and those who would steal your liberty (freedom with personal responsibility) and your position as priests.
......Thyatira - Retain order in your church; do not allow women who declare themselves to be prophetesses to:{have a podium and influence believers to immoral and idolatrous behavior. Allow no one to have a podium who will lead you into sexual immorality and compromise. Avoid the fascination with the occult.
......Sardis - Be watchful, hold that which is true, do not waver with the culture, keep every living thing sustained and empowered, and keep yourself pure.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming will be made a pillar in the temple of God and he will go out no more. This is a millennial promise as to the permanence of everlasting life in a perfect harmonious worship relationship with God. He will have the name of God written on him. (Rev 14:1) He will also have written on him the name of the heavenly God-owned and God-built city, the New Jerusalem (Heb 11:10). He will also have the new name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 19:16; 19:11-13; Rev 22:3-4).

V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN

Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
NOVEMBER 25,2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 6

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at SARDIS
A. The City - Founded about 1200 BC. One of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Capital of the wealthy Lydian kingdom. Gold was discovered and taken from the Pactolus River not far away. Silver and gold coins were first minted here. Important on the trade routes to Persia. Built on a hill with three sides protected by smooth and almost perpendicular stone walls. The only real entrance was a difficult and steep path on its south side. The city was nearly impregnable. This gave the people overconfidence in their protection which developed a complacency which led to its conquest on two occasions. They did not guard the city on all its sides. They also had put themselves in a site from which they could not grow and expand. Eventually they had to build on a different site at the foot of the hill so they could grow. They would retire to the older site when under attack. Conquered by Rome in 133 BC and an earthquake destroyed the city in 17 AD. It was rebuilt by a generous gift from Emperor Tiberius. A temple was built in his honor. But their real worship was reserved for Cybele. This is Gaia, mother earth, the magna mater, the mother of the gods. She is said to be the goddess of the caverns, the goddess of life, healing, fertility, resurrection, and especially of nature in its wildest states. In Sardis she is said to have special powers to restore life to the dead especially from the underground springs some 2 miles outside the city. She is identified with Astarte, Asterah or Asteroth, Astarte, Ishtar, Diana, Artemis, Isis, and so on as the goddesses of other cultures, especially those of matriarchal societies. This is perhaps the oldest pagan worship known to humanity. She may very well be the image of the harlot who rides the beast in John's later vision of Revelation.

B. The Church - Nothing is really known about how this church came into existence. Most conjecture that it came about as part of the Ephesian outreach that took place during Paul's ministry. It is known that a well- known bishop of Sardis in the second century was an apologist and wrote the earliest known commentaries on Revelation.

II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. (The one who knows all things)

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation – only that there were in Sardis a few names who had not defiled (stained)_ their garments. They would walk with Him in white because they were worthy. This is in contrast to those in Sardis whose garments had been stained or defiled. As lifeless as it was. There were still some remnants that had a flicker of that which they had been given in the first place. No other commendations could be made.
B. His charge or criticism
...1. They had a name that they were alive but they were dead
...... a. Sardis, the city, had a reputation for restoring life to the dead and Sardis, the church, must have had a reputation of doing some good works seen as life-giving. Perhaps this is a human comparison that contrasts the evil of the city with the presence of something that looks like a church making the church lo9ok considerably better than the culture. But the judge of a church’s reputation is not the culture; it is Christ!
...... b. Though this may have been the “reputation” of the city, for the Lord of the Churches, it was not the reputation of the church, itself.
......c. The church had compromised itself with the culture to the point it had no life different from that of the dead (in sins and trespasses) culture around them. It would have been easier for them to live the values of the culture around them than to stand out and stand against the immorality the goddess cult lived out each day. But it was deadly to the church.
......d. The Lord said their garments (a term used for character or actions describing their position) were stained or defiled. This means they must have participated with the culture in its fertility festivals. They may have incorporated into their own worship the frantic worship style of the cult of the goddess. This would have been easy since most of them were raised with this type of worship. They may have incorporated the life/death/rebirth story and spring celebration of the goddess and her grandson/lover Attis into the resurrection account of Christ. They may have accepted as priests the same transgendered priests of the cult. However it was done it was so abominable that our Lord did not even discuss it. He only declared their garments as defiled and the church as dead.

... 2. The rest of the remaining things were ready to die.
......a. The complacency so common with the city itself had become a part of the thinking of the church also. This complacency had caused them to lose their vigilance in keeping the faith (v. 2). It had led them to not see the contrast with the message of the opposing faiths.
......b. It appears that many of them had forgotten the gospel (v. 3) and perhaps who they had received it from (“how you have received and heard…” v. 3). The gospel generally comes with the power of the Holy Spirit, causing people to flee their previous gods and way of life and turn to the living God (1 Thess 1:1-10).

......c. Their complacency, lack of vigilance and loss of memory had so weakened the gospel message they had blended in with the culture and its unbelief and sinfulness.
...... d. They were lacking in Holy Spirit power for the Holy Spirit is the life-giver of the church. They had grieved and quenched the Spirit so often that the Spirit's ministry to them had departed them. It may be that many in the church were really unregenerate people with no Spirit at all.
...... e. This may be a reference to the age of the congregation. Perhaps by now the "first generation" believers were getting old and dying out. The "second generation" coming on lacked the zeal and the Spirit of their fathers.
... 3. Their works were not found perfect before God.
...... a. Perhaps in comparison with the unregenerate works of the
culture in which they lived their works had been seen as good
works, but in the eyes of the One who knows all things, they
were insufficient and incomplete.
...... b. Their works were not motivated by faith and love for God. (Heb 11:6; 1 Cor 13:1-3; Mark 7:6-7)
...4. His counsel
...... a. Wake up and start watching. Feeling comfortable with an ungodly culture is deadly. Like the residents of the city who thought their city was so safe they did not watch all sides and were conquered, so to the believers are cautioned to stop the complacency for the enemy is willing to try any strategy to conquer the church. He comes where, when and how you least expect it!
...... b. Strengthen the remaining true things. There were some things that had elements of faith still in them and perhaps people who knew the gospel, its truth and its power and were living by faith even though weak. These things needed review and to be established.
...... c. Bring back to the forefront of your thinking how you have received and heard the truth to start with. Blending in with the culture they had forgotten what it was that saved them in the first place. They had let their memories fall from relevancy to their current lives. They needed to have a good "remember day" where they reviewed the gospel's entry into their lives and city and put it back in their current thinking. If it was life-changing then it is life-changing now!
....... d. Lay hold of the former vitality and keep it alive. Not simply the doctrines but also the life of the gospels – the Spirit of the living God.

...... e. Repent. Jesus is here granting them repentance and giving
them space to do it in. He loves His church and wants it to be fruitful. He is longsuffering even with this church that is so lifeless. Repentance is a change of mind that is so drastic that it changes one's course of action. It is a i8o degree turn about.
...... f. Warning!! If they do not watch (perhaps a play on words -
they were now to be watching for him and not the enemy!) He would be coming like a thief, in an announced hour! This is a judgment that could result in their physical death.

APPLICATIONS:
1. Our standard for the church is Christ, His Word and the Holy Spirit's work in us. We must never compare our self with the culture and let its sinful standard be the one by which we declare ourselves pure. Just keeping a "safe" distance from the culture's impurity does not make us holy. As the culture drifts deeper into sin, if we only keep a safe distance from their actions we are still drifting with them into sin. In this drift, we will wake up one day to the realization that we are deep into doing what we once knew was worldliness and ungodliness.
2. Having a good review of our lives, how we were brought to salvation, the glorious doctrines of the faith delivered to us and a continuous learning and applying Biblical truth is essential to solid growth as a church. The challenge to love one another, counsel one another, seek the lost and do good to all men, especially the household of faith is a bona fide method of keeping ourselves in the love of God.
3. Keeping important things important is absolutely essential.
4. Continual vigilance is the only way to keep yourself from wandering from the gospel.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming will be clothed in white garments and not only will his name NOT be blotted out of the Book of Life but it will be confessed by Jesus before the Father and the holy angels. NOTE: This does not teach that one's name can be blotted out of the Book of Life. Just the opposite is true. It teaches that it will not be blotted out. Remember the one overcoming is the one believing. Without faith you cannot overcome. Those who do not believe are not in the Book of Life anyway. Their names cannot be blotted out; they were not there. Believer's names cannot be blotted out for they have overcome. Compare Jesus' words in Matthew 10:32-33 or in Matthew '7:21-23

V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN

Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 5

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at THYATIRA

A. The City - Founded by one of the successors of Alexander the Great, it was to be an outpost town to protect Pergamum, a more important city. However, it had no acropolis or high ground and thus was difficult to defend. The most it could do was slow down the advance of an enemy and give Pergamum a little more time. Thus it was destroyed and rebuilt several times until the Romans took it in 190 B.C. Under Roman peace it became a commercial center on the road between Pergamum, Laodicea, Smyrna and all the interior regions. The most prominent aspect of this town was its guilds, roughly equivalent to labor unions. It's most prominent guild was wool products and dyed wool products; but they also had guilds for linen workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers slave dealers and bronze smiths. Each guild had its own patron deity to whom guild members were to swear allegiance. The honor feasts were rife with foods sacrificed to idols and the corresponding sexual immorality. This made it very difficult for Christians to have gainful employment since the guilds controlled all commerce and employment opportunities.

B. The Church - Nothing is known about the founding of the church but speculation could be made that perhaps Lydia, who may have represented her guild, and her household may have had something to do with it. Acts 16:11-15


II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass - discernment, judgment from the full authority of God's Son

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation
1. He knows their works, love, service, faith and endurance.
2. Their present works were more than when they began.
B. His charge or criticism
1. They were allowing "Jezebel" to teach and beguile His servants. She was probably a woman in the church who had claimed spiritual authority and power for herself and was now teaching in the
church, which is a clear violation of the Scripture.

2. As a result, His servants were committing sexual immorality and eating things sacrificed to idols.
a. These were both conscious acts of the will and may have been related to the guild deity's honor feasts.
b. This teaching may have been part of the Grecian philosophy of the day that held the gods were only interested in the spirit since the material body is evil anyway and is destined to decay and rot. Consequently, if one keeps his spirit pure, he can do anything he wants with his body without consequence to his spirit.
c. This teaching may have been part of the antinomian teaching that said God's grace is greater than sin and no matter what a
believer does God will forgive him anyway.
3. He says He had given her time to repent of her immorality and she had not
a. As a result of her lack of repentance, she was going to be cast into a sickbed (original text may not have said sickbed, but
just a bed perhaps referring to "sleep" or death.)
b. Those who have committed adultery (joined in with her
teachings) with her were going to go through great trouble unless they repent of their deeds
c. He will kill "her children", the offspring of her blasphemous teachings who now were practicing her lewd and immoral
behavior without repentance.
d. The goal of this severe discipline is that the other churches would know that He is the One who searches the minds and
hearts. Great fear, as with Ananias and Sapphira, would fall
on the churches.
e. They needed to know that Christ was going to judge them on the basis of their deeds. Those who had done well would be rewarded; those who had done poorly would suffer loss; those who had done evil would suffer sickness and death
4. Some of them had been lured into learning the "depths of Satan"
a. No further information is given on this one but some speculation on the basis of current philosophy and the pre-Gnostic
teachings can be done. Whatever it was, Satan was only too willing to show them his deep things!
b. This may have come from the teachings of the self-appointed prophetess. They had become so "spiritual" that they could
even explore the darkness of the deep things of Satan and his lair and escape unscathed.
c. It may have been that they wanted to learn the tactics of the adversary under the guise of better witnessing.
d. It may come from the idea that the spirit is all that God cares about since the body is destined to die anyway, therefore believers are free to explore and even experience all manner of evil without cost since they are now, in their spirit, safe and secure. The body is already evil so it does not matter what it does.
e. It may have simply been the curiosity to know what Satan is like. Whatever the reason for it, it was sinful and wicked and
condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ as unfit and unacceptable behavior for those identifying with Him in His church.
C. Yet there were those in Thyatira who were not guilty of either of these perversions. To those He says He will put no other burden on them. The conditions under which they were living were severe enough.
1. "To you" and "to the rest in Thyafira" To whom is He referring?
a. The first "you" would be the angel of the church and "the rest" would be the other members of the church in Thyatira
b. The first "you" could be the church in Thyatira and "the rest" could be all the other residents of Thyatira. Not likely.
c. There is no "and" between them or the "and" should be
translated "even". This would mean the "you" is referring to "the rest" of those in the church. It would thus read, "But to you I say, to the rest in Thyatira..." Or "But to you I say, even to the rest in Thyatira..."
2. He tells them to "hold fast what you have till I come."
a. By using the word "hold fast" He knew what He was
commanding them would not be easy. It would take strength to stand in the presence of the blatant false teaching, sexual immorality, solicitation to wrong and ridicule within the church and a hostile world outside of it.
b. "...Till I come." Could mean till the rapture or until He comes in judgment of the church.
c. The believers in any situation are to hold fast until the coming of the Lord in whatever way He comes.

APPLICATIONS:
We see in Thyatira how easily compromise comes, then how easily it
changes to open sin and finally how difficult it is to remove once it is established.
1. They had compromised on whom to listen to in the assembly.
Women were not supposed to be teaching at all, yet this
"Jezebel" gained a hearing and a following.
2. Once the Word of God had been compromised, discernment was gone and they were left with no foundation upon which to reject her false teaching.
3. Once she had a respectable platform from which to speak it became easy for her to change liberty into license.
4. Once a practitioner has his conscience seared his life is open to any sin and transgression without hesitation.
5. There is a point of no return when it comes to sin. Jezebel and those who committed adultery with her as well as her offspring (those who had learned her practices) were unwilling and unable to repent, even though space had been given them by the gracious Lord. All that is left then is death and destruction especially of those who are guilty.
6. The whole church pays for the compromise and sin. Those
not guilty of this wicked compromising debauchery were left just trying to survive not thrive as a church.
7. We are better off to be considered backward than we are to
compromise the Word of God. The path of compromise is the path to death and loss.
8. Holding fast to the truth brings reward from the Lord Jesus Christ
9. The church today needs a good dose of "fearfulness" or the "fear of God" as much as it needs a better understanding of its position in Christ before God.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming and
keeping Jesus' works to the end will be given authority by the Lord Jesus Christ over the nations and he will rule them with a rod of iron like the authority Jesus was given and he will give him the morning star.
A. The authority given here is authority in the millennial reign of Christ which will be shared with the Lord Himself
B. Though now they were being beaten by their enemies, they would be the one's ruling then. Their steadfastness would hold them a spot in the ruling of the nations during the millennium.
C. Any rebellion during Christ's millennial reign will be crushed immediately
D. Believers now will rule with Christ in the millennium to protect His people, promote holiness and righteousness, encourage fruitfulness and obedience, and judge justly during that period. They will have new bodies that are impervious to pain, sickness and death; new hearts that are totally sin proof and fully obedient; minds that will instantly know God's will and they will have eternal life. They will have authority that is coming from Christ, which will make their authority final. This will make their rule as invincible as Christ's.
E. They will be given the Morning Star, Christ Himself. See Rev 22:16

V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN

Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
NOVEMBER 11,2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 4

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at PERGAMUM
A. The City - Although not a port city, it was the capital of Asia Minor and considered its greatest city. 100 miles north of Ephesus; Smyrna was about half way between them. Huge library (200,000 hand written volumes) which Mark Antony sent to his lover Queen Cleopatra. Cultural and learning center. Worship center of the four main Roman deities: Athena, Asklepios, Dionysos and Zeus. But more importantly it was the center for Emperor worship with at least three temples dedicated to emperors. This would have been a serious threat to Christians
B. The Church - Little if anything is known about the founding of the church and only the material found here tells us much about the church at all.

II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who has the sharp two-edged sword Hebrews 4:12

III. MESSAGE
A. His commendation, even though they were in miserable conditions ("soil" for the gospel)
1. They held fast His name
2. They did not deny the faith
3. He knew by name the martyr of the city: Antipas. Tradition tells us he was roasted to death in a brass bull. This may have had something to do with failure to worship Dionysus, whose common name was "The Bull"
B. He knew where they lived; in the spiritual war, there are some men who have given themselves, and thereby the regions in which they live, over to Satan so that their culture in heavily entrenched in satanic thinking.
1. He knew where Satan's throne is
2. He knew where Satan lives
C. His charges against them were
1. There were those there who held the doctrine of Balaam
2. There were those there who held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans
D. HIS REMEDY FOR HEALING:
Repent or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

APPLICATIONS:
Little is required for Satan to gain the upper hand in a culture that is
1. Negligent in true worship
2. Willing to worship things instead of God
a. Consider our very materialistic approach to life
b. Consider our judgment on success. How do we know
one is "Succesful"?
c. Consider the things we now count "needs" that were
luxuries or wants before
3. Willing to compromise with the culture on the worship of its icons and idols
a. Consider the devotion to the entertainment world and its icons. "American Idol"? Rock star or rap heroes; watching TV
b. Consider the devotion to the sports world with its heroes and icons; individual or team devotion
c. Consider the devotion to political parties even when it is clear they are working for ungodly or even anti-God agendas
4. Negligent in sound doctrine but hungry for pragmatic, "interesting" testimonials of one group or another: selling out the truth for convenience. Allowing new doctrines to replace sound doctrine just because the presenter did such a good job of presenting it or because it was "fun". Being captured by new philosophies that
actually oppose biblical truth. Trusting teachers who are actually asking you to oppose people you have known to be solid in doctrine and practice. Accepting lies because the one telling it is a "good" person.
5. Allowing others to do your thinking and studying for you then placing them on a pedestal of honor for knowing
more than you. Allowing yourself then to be submitted to their teachings no matter how far-fetched they may seem.
6. Submitting yourselves to others because they have the title of authority even though they lack the character for it.

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming shall be given some of the hidden manna to eat. He shall be given a white stone upon which a new name will be written which no one knows except him who receives it
V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN

Letters to the Churches

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
October 28,2009
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Part 3

I. AUDIENCE IDENTITY - The Angel of the Church at SMYRNA
A. The City - Today is known as Izmir, Turkey. Beautiful and wealthy city; good deep harbor; stately public buildings on the hill of Syrmna made it look like a crown; a street of "gold" curved around the lower part of this hill and had a temple at either end of the curve with other temples along the way giving it a necklace-like appearance. It was a city of learning especially in medicine and science; Homer, the Greek poet, spent his early years here; the protecting deity was known as Sybeline Mother. identified with Nemesis, the goddess of retributive justice. Emperor worship was made mandatory here and persecutions of resistant Christians become normal. Polycarp, at age 86, was burned alive here as a martyr. A large Jewish population resisted the gospel and was only too ready to turn in Christians for the practice of their faith and was even know to incite the governor to attack them.
B. The Church - its founding is unknown; it may have happened during Paul's three year stay in Ephesus. The church in Syrmna was a dangerous place to live and practice the faith
"
II. SPEAKER'S IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY TO SPEAK - The One who is
the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life


III. MESSAGE
A. His acknowledgements of their existing conditions
1. Works, tribulation and poverty (though, in His view, they were rich
2. Those who say they are Jews and are actually a synagogue of Satan

B. His acknowledgement of future conditions and His recommendations
1. You are about to suffer
Mt 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you. (NKJV)

Ac 5:40-42 And they agreed with him, and when they had
called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded
that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go. So they departed from the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame
for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (NKJV)

Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us. (NKJV)

Phil 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of
Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for
His sake,

2 Tit 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ
Jesus will suffer persecution.

Heb 10:32 But recall the former days in which, after you
were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with
sufferings:

1 Pe 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience
toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Pe 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for
your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good
and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable
before God.
1 Pe 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should
follow His steps:
1 Pe 2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in
return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but
committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1 Pe 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness'
sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their
threats, nor be troubled."

1 Pe 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Pe 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
1 Pe 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
1 Pe 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.
1 Pe 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not
be ashamed, but let him glory in God in this matter.
1 Pe 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

JESUS AND SUFFERING
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Heb 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ~

2. The Devil is about to throw some of you into prison for testing
3. You will have tribulation for 10 "days"
4. Do not fear any of the things you are about to suffer
5. Be faithful unto death and He will give you a crown of life; cf. James 1:12


APPLICATIONS:
Roman persecution, their conditions
The Christian confidence, allegiance and loyalty to the coming King and another Kingdom were seen as a threat to the state. The churches were living out this hope and refusing more and more to have anything to do with the state. They would not serve in the army to serve imperial Rome's goals; they would not offer incense as an offering to Caesar; they would not participate in government or politics. They saw the Roman state as corrupted and not salvageable; they were waiting for the new age and the new kingdom that was coming. This was considered sedition and treason by the state and persecutions arose that would decimate the Christian population. Still, the numbers of new believers grew and the church prospered!
What are believers being called on to do for the state today that is a contradiction to the Kingdom of God which we are to seek first and foremost?

What is faith in Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, costing us in this world today? The godly WILL suffer persecution. What will it cost in the near future??

IV. PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME - The one overcoming shall not be hurt by the second death
A. They would be a part of the first resurrection: those who are resurrected at Jesus' coming for them, i.e. the Rapture if they kept the faith and overcame the wicked one and his system.
Re 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first
resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (NKJV)
1 Co 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (NKJV)

1 Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (NKJV)

2 Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. (NKJV)

B. What of those who did not keep the faith and overcame.? Was He implying that those who did not overcome were actually not believers and word be "hurt by the second death"?
Re 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found wriUen in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (NKJV)

Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight--
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (NKJV)

Mt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and
done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (NKJV)
Mt 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (NKJV)

V. CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN