I. The letters
A. In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, Jesus had John copy down seven letters to
His churches in Asia (Rev 1:11).
B. All the churches were to read all the letters. We know that we today are to
read them and apply them to what the local church ought to be where we are.
C. These letters remind us that Jesus watches over His churches and will judge us
according to our obedience to Him.

II. Ephesus-The Heartless Church (2:1-7)
A. "I know your works"(v. 2). Jesus watches over and sees all that occurs among
His people. We can safely know He knows our works as well, and passes
judgment.
B. There were many good things happening at Ephesus (v. 2-3). They were hard-
working, patient, and intolerant of evil. They did not fall for lies. They
had persevered and not grown weary. They upheld God's truth (v. 6).
C. However, Jesus says that these good things were negated by one bad thing-
they had left their first love (v. 4). Their hearts were no longer devoted to
the Lord. They were doing the right things, yet God was not pleased.
D. They needed to repent and "do the first works"(v. 5). No amount of right
deeds will be pleasing to God without true devotion to Him.

III. Smyrna-The Persecuted Church (2:8-11)
A. There is no rebuke in the letter to Smyrna. Jesus had no bad thing to say of
them because of their stand in spite of persecution.
B. They were pleasing despite poverty (v. 9), false teachers (9), and persecution.
C. What was their reward for faithfulness? Jesus tells them they would suffer
even more (v. 10). Even getting through persecution is not a guarantee more will not come.
D. Jesus' admonition: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of
life"(2:10). It is not enough to be faithful for a little while. Until the end
comes, even if we are persecuted, we must remain faithful to receive the
reward (2 Tim 4:7-8).

IV. Pergamos-The Strong but Flawed Church (2:12-17)
A. This church is impressive because it weathered the murder of one of its
members (v. 13) as well as living "where Satan's throne is"(13). The Lord
is pleased when a church remains faithful despite difficulty.
B. However, Jesus was not pleased with their doctrinal stances (v. 14-15). This
reminds us that what is taught is important to the Lord. He commands
them to repent (v. 16) of this flaw.
C. Jesus answers the question "Is doctrine important?" It is important enough to
make a church not pleasing to Him.

V. Thyatira-The Corrupt Church (2:18-29)
A. Even here Jesus has some things to compliment: works, love, service, faith,
patience (v. 19).
B. However, these cannot outweigh the fact that gross immorality existed in the
church, which Jesus rebukes. (v. 20-23). Jesus' harsh words against this
woman and those who sin with her (22) show how He despises sin in His
churches. He does notice sin in the camp, and demands it be repented of
and corrected.
C. He urges the rest to hold fast and overcome (24-26).

VI. Sardis-The Dead Church (3:1-6)
A. Everyone thought this church was a great church, but in reality, they were
dead (v. 1-2). This reminds us that even though others may think we are
wonderful, Jesus is the one who will judge us. If He does not find us as
we should be, what comfort will we have?
B. The answer? Remember, hold fast, and repent (v. 3). This is as much a
problem as the sin in Thyatira-it must be done away with! When our
zeal flares out, we must come back to our Lord and become alive again!
C. For the few who were not dead, He encouraged them (v. 4). This reminds us
that even though others around us may be spiritually dead, we can be
pleasing to God if we do what He says!

VII. Philadelphia-The Persevering Church (3:7-13)
A. Looking back on their works, Jesus tells them they have "kept My command
to persevere"(v. 10). What a wonderful commendation!
B. Jesus promises to make their enemies worship before them (v. 9) and that He
would keep them from the hour of trial (v. 10).
C. We will have persecution in this life. People will call us names, slander us, try
to hurt us, and try to steal away God's people. However, the
Philadelphians teach us that there is great value in overcoming persecution
(v. 12). Let us never forget it.

VII. Laodicea-The Satisfied Church (3:14-22)
A. Jesus says their works "are neither cold nor hot"(v. 15). It seems they were
doing enough to get by-not on fire for God, but not giving up on Him
either.
B. Jesus was not pleased with this (v. 16). He promised to spew them out
(meaning they would no longer be pleasing to Him or be His church).
C. Why were they lukewarm? They thought they had everything they needed
without Jesus (v. 17). Jesus wanted them to turn back to Him for what
they needed (v. 18).
D. In this age when we have so much, it is important to remember the
Laodiceans. They remind us that physical blessings can lull us into being
satisfied and not being on fire for Jesus.

Let us always belong to a church truly "of Christ," a lampstand burning before God (2:5)!___Jacob Hudgins