492 – The Message to the Seven Churches of Asia

SEMESTER 6

492 – The Message to the Seven Churches of Asia

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY VI LESSON # 92
THE MESSAGE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

Read Rev. 2:1 through Rev. 3:22.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Many extra-biblical or non-biblical statements are made about these churches.

i. “The seven letters to the seven churches,” or, “the letter to…”
ii. The seven church dispensations, or the Laodicean Age.

2. All this is human invention, not divine revelation.

I. WHAT WAS WRITTEN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

1. The entire book of Revelation is to those seven churches. (Rev. 1:4, 11)
2. Particular commendations, accusations, and exhortations are written to each.
3. All that was written especially to any of them, was delivered to all.
4. All those criticisms and urging to repentance are equally written to us, today.

II. THE MESSAGES ARE TO THE CHURCHES, NOT AGES

1. A common interpretation of Rev. 2:1 through Rev. 3:22 is, “To “the church” during different ages.”

i. Ephesus: “The church at the end of the apostolic age.”
ii. Smyrna: “The church during the great persecution.”
iii. Pergamos: “The church under imperial favor.”
iv. Thyatira: “The church during the dark ages.”
v. Sardis: “The period of the reformation.”
vi. Philadelphia: “The period of revival” (19th century).
vii. Laodicea: “The present final state of apostasy.”

2. Problems with this interpretation:

i. No Scripture says these are symbols of ages.
ii. Reference to future ages had no value to them.
iii. This interpretation demands, in some sense, a universal church.
iv. This interpretation calls Catholicism of 500-1500 a “church”.
v. This interpretation calls the reformer groups “churches.”
vi. This interpretation implies that only the things written to church number seven refer to us.

3. This is actually an inspection of, and an admonition and warning to these seven actual local churches.

IIIs: How geography probably dictated order.

III. WHAT DOES THIS SAY TO CHURCHES TODAY?

1. It warns us against leaving our first love, (the witness of His resurrec­tion). (Rev. 2:1-7)

IIIs: How the churches of Ephesus and Laodicea are most alike.

2. It encourages the church in tribulation not to despair. (Rev. 2:8-11)
3. It warns against churches seeking favor in the world. (Rev. 2:12-17)
4. It warns against letting heresy mingle with our good works. (Rev. 2:18-27)
5. It warns against satisfying ourselves with reputation while neglecting character. (Rev. 3:1-6)
6. He encourages us to enter the doors of mission outreach, and he promises reward. (Rev. 3:7-13)
6. He expresses disgust and displeasure with lukewarmness, and enjoins repentance. (Rev. 3:14-22)

IV. CONCLUSION AND ADMONITIONS

1. Any or all of these conditions may exist in any church, any­where, at any time.
2. He admonishes every church to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit our administrator, under Christ, our head. (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, Rev. 3:6, 13, and 22).
3. We are warned that if we do not hear (submit to) the Spirit, our candlestick (standing as a church) may be removed.