Revelation: 7churches

Summarizing from intro of rev.

Remember the opening words

This book is about the fact that Jesus is to be revealed

through? His people

Also a focus on sanctuary Review NT

REstoration	Restoration!	Restoration
daily
through	in	for but always Jesus
reflected-	imparted-receiving it in life tranformation	imputed-credited Righteousness (holiness, right- being, likeness to God, and God is love. SC)
MHP	hP	CY
Just and Merc

Ark w/ mercy-seat and 10c	word,prayer,oil of sp. Jesus doing these things for us. we can't even pray right. God doesn't leave anything to chance	altar-Cross
revel	epistles	gospels
judgment	priestly min	sacrifice
King	Priest	Prophet
glorification (of God thru people)	sanctification	justification (declared righteous)

Paul says all can prophesy --bear testimony of Jesus

Christ is at work to get us to be priests and kings also

2/3 of revelation deals w/ daily min in a series of 7

7churches

7seals

7trumpets

7plagues

7 being a symbol of completeness

God will have a completed people who bear his name, his character, his seal

They give the final warning to the world.

We also noticed that God is in the restoring business.

None of us can afford to go through a day w/out coming to the cross and allowing God to take our guilt on Himself. No one can deal w/ habits unless they're first receiving that.

jn confess that the broken Jesus was actually son of God! God will dwell in him and he in God. When you say thank you for loving me that much, he comes. Reflection results, but always God.

Cleansing we've limited to accounting in heaven, but it's really about cleansing of people!

The bread is Jesus' own life. We don't get help, we get a new life! eat my flesh. Jn 16:13-14 spirit brings Jesus!

If only we knew this every day, whether a word of encouragement is needed, etc., and we let the spirit give us the attribute of Jesus to complete His ministry, it's not ours.

complete ch sealed giving warning and then ending sin w/out misunderstanding

one of each is assoc w/ each of four articles of furniture in sanct.

Which one of four is ident w/ candlesticks?

7ch. candle

7seal table

7trmpt incense

7plag ark

ch1:20

Something quite unique about 7candlestick in rev1

What is it? 2min

1:13

1. among lampstands one like son of man

2. pure(refined) gold (hammered)

3. one piece 6 branches (number of man, jesus completes) and stand

4. shed light

5. almond blossom cups on branches (each branch looked like an almond branch! Numbers Aaron's rod that budded--Christ? symbol of authority and of reproduction, fruitfulness)

6. burning continually 27:20,21

7. filled w/ olive oil (bitter before pressed?)

8. 7 channels

9. two olive branches who empty oil from themselves. Rev 11 two annointed ones? two witnesses in Revelation?

Description of Jesus:

1dressed in robe to feet

2golden sash on chest

3head and hair like wool and snow

4eyes flame

5feet bronze glowing in furnace

6voice like sound of many waters

7right hand 7stars

mouth sharp 2edged sword

face like sun shining in all its brilliance

Candlesticks are hollow and Jesus is in midst of them. Anyone connecting these two things?

If Jesus is in midst, and that's where oil is filled, then the ministry of the HS is simply what? to reveal Jesus through us.

What are the essential characteristics of candlesticks. We'll restrict you tonight 'cause of shortness of time to entire Bible.

day 2

7ch chiasm

1.ephesus

2.smyrna

3.pergamos

4.Thyatira

5.sardis

6.philadelphia

7.laodicia

What is jumping out at you regarding thyatira.

Split between those who follow Jezebel and don't

Jesus shows up described as eyes of fire and feet of burnished bronze. The candlestick! Whole body! from feet to head: overview

anything else? he who overcomes I will give authority over nations to rule them w/ an iron scepter --like Rev 12 child of woman--pure church

Research: Thyatira: sweet sacrifice of contrition or labor

name: stronghold of tyra

woman selling purple worshipper of true God

What's that saying to you? Royal priesthood

selling Isa 55:1,2 w/out cost?

People of God become a place of refuge, that is the royal priesthood

Ephesus:

desirable/reasonable

1st reference

Act6:2 it is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and wait tables

it is desirable therefore to stay with the word of God!

Smyrna:

Myrrh

gifts to Jesus valuable gift

for purification in song of sol

Pergamos:

fortification, tower, castle:

marriage through fire, by fire

What two things came together through great trials--incarnation?

You take on the life of Christ and you get all His trials also.

Seat of Satan--HQ of Babylonian priesthood, emperor worship

you hold onto my name (even in midst of trials)

Sardis: lit prince of joy or song of joy (People and Places of the Bible)

sardeis ruby red

5th foundation of Holy City in Rev perhaps 6th also

philadelphia:

brotherly love

Laodicea:

laos people

dikeo judging

judging the people

at top thyatira

Mesg 1 includes per and sardis

sinless sacrifice and substitute

mesg 2 includes smyrna and philadelphia

mesg 3 includes eph and lao

Apparently there are three steps involved in formation of royal priesthood

very big step we've seen it historically, which is true, but much more is the spiritual application for us today. EGW said all seven are for church today. 'cause God is in process of forming kingdom of priests. Imagine what it would mean to be a kingdom of priests. Kings associated w/ crowns and two kinds of crowns one only worn by God (and beast). If you're a king, you'll be wearing a crown of victory.

God's people in Revelation are assoc w/ overcoming. They are not associated w/ continual defeat. not talking perfectionism 'cause Christianity is only rel where you start out perfect, but that allows you to grow up

Big theme here is overcoming.

three messages in process of forming a people

step 1

union/marriage by fire is incarnation, born of the Spirit, what does that mean? born of spirit, incarnation--led to victorious life in human flesh, offered as a sacrifice to sin.

why is it so important that we recognize that this is the quality of life Jesus lived? In sanct the blood rep perfect life of Jesus was ministered to us daily!! If this is the kind of life being given to us, then we don't have to stay stuck in the same problems and sins forever. We get His life it is a victorious life!

step 2

sanct is learning to love as God loves, a people whom God is preparing for marriage w/ himself.

step 3

a desirable woman in judgment reveals the desirableness of God

she reveals God's justice and mercy

left side seems to lead to right

Day 3

600 verses in Rev lifted from OT.

review chiasm

if you're not growing up into Christ, it's 'cause you are not appreciating what Jesus has done for you. Then he will live in You! 1jn 4:15

Do you have assurance of HS in you or are you playing russian roulette as Xian today. Many are, going through each day, hoping to feel convicted enough. Give people around tables an opportunity to praise God--do #1

very desirability of the ch is what vindicates God. Judgment is not about proving we're better, but revealing the amazing restoring ability of God to reveal himself in sinful human flesh.

Let's not buy into the humanistic philosophy saying that we are stuck in our weak origins and learned behaviors.

God is so intent on restoring His image in sinful human flesh that He's willing to indwell sinful human flesh.

Let's not plan to be stuck in same sins forever, that's hopeless, and not biblical Rom 6. consider (faith) yourselves dead to sin. I may feel the impulse to sin, but I am choosing to see myself in Christ as a child of God.

Let's look at the practical issues. 6 of them seem to have serious problems to overcome.

Track victory and overcoming through Revelation

overcoming

in a positive spiritual sense

people	dynamics/how/why
3:21	just as I overcame
15:2, 3	standing on sea of glass mixed w/ fire

overcame beast, image, number
17:14	lamb overcomes ten horns
21:7	inheritors of all things
12:11	brothers who are the ch(woman)	by blood of lamb and word of their testimony

Loved not their lives unto death(Rom6?)

overcoming is associated w/ very few dynamics

primarily assoc w/ blood of lamb as Jesus overcame

word of their testimony

all are justified, only those who testify are taking hold by faith

testimony of Jesus in not talking about the gifts of EGW.

Rev1:2 John bears witness to word of God and to the testimony of Jesus. Rev 19:10 the essence of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus and Jesus testified of Father, so if we point to Father and Jesus we are testifying--testimony is what is at the heart of it 1cor 14:31 all should prophesy.

Assign churches

laodicea

1st column really includes all the spiritual issues believers need to overcome to move into this kingly priesthood some are commended

sin

sin issue that needs to be overcome (spiritual issues	solution	reward
Ephesus 2:4-

Left first love. What condition is being described by the saying, You left your first love. What was 1st love? How is it possible to leave first love and still have right attitudes and actions?

2tim3:5 form no power

mt23:27-28whited sepulchres

ex20 no other gods

all same issue. What is it?

doing things in form w/out power. w/out Spirit. 10 virgins. gal 2:20 and 3:1-3

leaving first love

first love means under my own power I'm living the xian life, but really it should be Christ lives in me.

condition:

self-deceived double-minded james. What's solution? call for elders to pray and annoint w/ oil (spirit).

couldn't endure evil,

perseverance,

tested messengers, and not grown weary

Hated deeds of the nicolaitans
smyrna:Rev 2:8

much praise

but some blaspheme by saying they are Jews but are not.

actually synagogue of Satan.

blasphemy Jn10:25- man making himself God

This is not their issue.

They are rich despite difficulties of trial and apostasy/opposition
Pergamum:2:12

teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality

alliance between God's people and world

Some who teach others to mix truth and error to deceive the people of God

What is the biblical understanding of spiritual idolatry and immorality?

idolatry: lifting up self

What are you doing to God if you are committing spiritual adultery/immorality : professing union but acting hatred James 4:5- hypocritical and wicked

Nicolaitans:

2chars: 1sep flesh from spirit, 2 anti-nomian

Greek dualism	James 4:10 humble yourselves before God and He will lift you up.
Thyatira:2:19

How did Jezebel style herself? a prophetess. What was she saying? Claiming to be giving testimony to God.

She was a queen (purple)! by her teaching she seduces others into fornication and idolatry.

What is the warning? That paganism could come from the church! Which is called Apostasy! Why? from true church. No one else can apostasize! 1888 a repeat? a mother leading her children into fornication--5th commandment, abuse of authority leadership! she wouldn't repent, no going back, but the rest are commended, just hold on until I come. signif of Jezebel? false royal priesthood. don't be quick to set yourself up in positions of auth.
Sardis:3:1

Have reputation of being alive, but are dead.

reputation not accurate=dirty clothes

What does it mean for garments to be soiled? Rev 19 says white linen is righteous acts of saints. Isa 61:10 really righteousness of God applied to saints. Zech 3 filthy garments assoc w/ iniquity. How does God fix it. A change of garment. If you have soiled clothes, you need a change, accepting His righteousness applied to you. Apparently there are those in church who are not putting on Christ's robe, they're putting on soiled robes, human effort. We can't soil Christ's robe, if we're wearing soiled robes they are of human origin. Law w/out grace vs grace w/out law
Philadelphia:3:7-

commendations:

kept His word,

not denied his name,

kept word of His patience

What does keeping involve, james 1 acting on word

1Pet1:22 obedience to truth. Not by monastery retreat or anything, but through ministry in His name
laodicea

in deeds neither hot or cold why?

self-deception

consist

profess

richness,

having wealth,

need nothing,

but actually are

wretched,

pitiful,

poor,

blind, and

naked.

fervent

Matt 24:12

but w/out love

naked - white clothes Rev 19

blind - eyesalve oil of annointing spirit for sp discernment

poor - gold refined in fire is faith tested 1pet1:6,7	buy from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich

white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness;

and eye salve to annoint eyes and see

expect and accept discipline

so if you're lukewarm and you want to get out of it, when you experience trials see them as discipline and an opportunity to grow

ask for annointing of sp

go to cross for Jesus robe

What happens when you apply the blood of Jesus to each situation?

Thyatira: note

don't look to cath ch or protestantism, they've already been there. All that's left is Israel, SDA church. You will be urged to go against these very things we're seeing. only three times God has raised up a movement: What happened to the first two? apostacy in Israel allowed Romans to persecute Jesus, Apostate Xian church enabled papacy to persecute true believers

Is it possible that the same thing will happen w/ SDA? GC 608

what about washing of robes in rev 7:14

jesus' threefold ministry

faithful witness

love of father	justification

1stborn of dead

washed us from our sins	sancti

ruler of kings

kings and priests	glorif

7:14 is a reference to which aspect? sanct

look at these issues

self-deception

-double-mindedness

immorality

-seeking a rel w/ God and w/ world

Sept 24,25,26 cambrian pk

Acts of HS pt1