w

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

by Dr. Glen D. Cole & Dr. Quentin McGhee
Instructional Design by Dr. Quentin McGhee, Senior Editor
Putting your faith to work

Student Manual

Faith & Action Series

Faith & Action 3728 W. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, Missouri 65802 U.S.A.
1

Revelation & Daniel

Table of Contents

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Page List of Maps and Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Faith & Action Series Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Three-Year Bible School Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Unit One: The Vision of Christ Among the Churches (Rev. 13) Chapter 1 Understanding the Book of Revelation (Rev . 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev . 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3 Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1 (Rev . 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 4 Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 2 (Rev . 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Unit Two: The Vision of Christ Judging the WorldPart 1 (Rev. 411) 5 The Throne in Heaven (Rev . 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 6 The Lamb and the Scroll (Rev . 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 7 The Seven Seals and the Tribulation (Rev . 67) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 8 The Seven Trumpets and the Two Witnesses (Rev . 811) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Unit Three: The Vision of Christ Judging the WorldPart 2 (Rev. 1218) 9 Various People and Events (Rev . 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 10 The Two Beasts (Rev . 13, 17, Dan . 2, 78) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 11 The Seven Bowls and the Great Harlot (Rev . 1418) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Unit Four: The Vision of Christs Return (Rev. 1922) 12 The Second Coming and Great Judgment (Rev . 1920) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 13 The New Jerusalem (Rev . 2122) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Scripture List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Plan of Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
3

List of Maps and Charts

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 1.6 Figure 1.7 Figure 1.8 Figure 1.9 Figure 1.10 Figure 1.11 Figure 1.12 Figure 2.2 Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5 Figure 2.6 Figure 2.7 Figure 2.8 Figure 2.9 Figure 2.10 Figure 2.11 Figure 3.2 Figure 3.3 Figure 3.5 Figure 3.10 Figure 3.15 Figure 3.23 Figure 4.7 Figure 4.8 Figure 4.10 Figure 4.11 Figure 5.2 Figure 5.4 Figure 5.5 Figure 5.6 Figure 5.8 Figure 5.9 Figure 6.4 Map of the seven churches of Asia Minor and the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9-11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Practice map of the seven churches in Asia Minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Promises to overcomers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Characters in the story or drama of Revelation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Symbols and their meanings in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Selected Old Testament books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Selected Old Testament references in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Overview chart of Revelation 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Practice chart of Revelation 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 The seven blessings or beatitudes in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Revelation came from the Father to the Son. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Insights about Jesus from the Introduction (Rev. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Insights about Jesus from the seven messages (Rev. 23) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Insights about Jesus from the worship scenes (Rev. 45) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Insights about Jesus from the Tribulation (Rev. 618) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Insights about Jesus from His return and reign (Rev. 1922) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 John saw a vision of the glorified Christ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Chart showing some of the 7s in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chart comparing the seven churches to seven time periods of church history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Summary of the seven messages to the churches in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Those who overcome and those who are overcome (Rev. 2:1-7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Ten Roman emperors who persecuted the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 False teachings that contradict the Bible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Verses in Revelation showing that many will not be saved during the Tribulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Verses in Revelation showing that some will be saved through the Tribulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The time of the Rapture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Map showing that two important trade routes met in Laodicea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Ten differences in verses on the Rapture and the Second Coming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Verses in Revelation referring to the 24 elders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Verses in Revelation referring to the four living creatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Chart on the positions of the four living creatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Holiness in a person requires the cooperation of God and a believer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Verses in Revelation that emphasize God is eternal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 The relationship of the Father and the Lamb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Figure 7.2 Figure 7.3 Figure 7.4 Figure 7.5 Figure 7.7 Figure 7.9 Figure 7.12 Figure 8.2 Figure 8.3 Figure 8.5 Figure 8.9 Figure 8.10 Figure 8.13 Chart of Daniels 70 sevens (490 years; Dan. 9:24-27) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 A comparison of Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Seven comparisons between Christ and the Antichrist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 The seven seals in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 A comparison of Matthew 24:29-30 and Revelation 6:12-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 The two redeemed groups in Revelation 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Verses in Revelation that contain those who live on the earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 The 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls as they appear in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 The 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls as they occur in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 A comparison of the seven trumpets in Revelation and the plagues in Exodus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 The Euphrates River and the nations around it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Visions before the seventh seal and the seventh trumpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 A drawing of Herods temple in Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
4

g
Page

Figure 9.5 Figure 10.5 Figure 10.6 Figure 10.13 Figure 10.17 Figure 10.18 Figure 10.19 Figure 10.20 Figure 10.21 Figure 10.22 Figure 10.23 Figure 10.24 Figure 11.4 Figure 11.6 Figure 11.8 Figure 11.10

Chart contrasting the woman with her children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 The nations in Daniel 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Visions in Daniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 The four generals and parts of the Greek kingdom after Alexander the Great . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 A time, times, and a half a time probably equals 3 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Ten Roman rulers before John wrote Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 The seven heads or kingdoms of the beast (Rev. 17:10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Two paths to the same king . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Boundary of the old Roman Kingdom around modern nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Chart contrasting the Holy Trinity and the evil trinity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Letters of the Greek alphabet with numeric values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 An example of trying to calculate the name represented by the number of the beast . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 A comparison of the trumpet and bowl judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 The seven bowls in Revelation compared to the plagues of Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 The meanings of symbols related to the harlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 The Euphrates River was an important boundary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 12.2 A contrast of the two riders on white horses in Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Figure 12.11 Timeline of three judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Figure 12.12 Three different resurrections and judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Figure 13.2 Figure 13.4 Figure 13.8 Figure 13.9 Figure 13.10 Figure 13.11 Figure 13.12 Creations and conditions in Genesis and Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 The 12 foundation stones of the New Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Contrasts in Revelation based on the Introduction (Rev. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Contrasts in Revelation based on the seven messages (Rev. 23) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Contrasts in Revelation based on the worship scenes (Rev. 45) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Contrasts in Revelation based on the Tribulation (Rev. 618) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Contrasts in Revelation based on Christs return and reign (Rev. 1922) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
5

About This Book

2. The Lesson Goals are listed at the beginning of each chapter . Also, when a lesson begins, the goal for that lesson is printed there . You will find that there is at least one goal for each lesson . 3. Key Words are defined in a section called Definitions at the end of the book . The symbol * comes before all words that are defined . To help some students, we have also defined a few words that are not key words .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

4. Teaching Method: These courses are designed for the guided discovery method of learning . This method focuses on the student, rather than the teacher . When this course is used in a classroom, lectures are not intended . Rather, most of the class time should be used for students to discuss the questions in the margins and related questions from the teacher and other students . At least 25% of the students grade should be on how faithfully the student has tried to answer questions before class . It is VERY important for each student to own his or her book . We encourage Bible schools to require students to buy their texts at the time they pay tuition . It is a shame for students to leave school without their books, because they need them for a lifetime of ministry . Owning the book enables a student to write notes in it and underline important ideas . Also, when students own their books, they do not waste class time by copying things that are already written in the text . Rather, they spend their time discussing questions related to the Bible and ministry . In a classroom the teacher and students should discuss key questions together . The best teachers never answer their own questions . Some students will complain at first when the teacher requires them to think, read, and search for answers . But a good teacher knows that children who are always carried never learn to walk . And students who are always told the answer learn to memorize, but not think and solve problems . In many ways, a good teacher is like a coachguiding others to succeed . The questions in this course are like a path that leads straight to the goal . If the questions are too hard for a student, the teacher can ask easier questions that are like stairs toward harder questions . Also, the teacher should ask questions that guide students to apply the text to local issues . Often, a good teacher will add a story or illustration that emphasizes a truth for students . 5. Schedule: Most Faith & Action Series courses have up to 40 lessons . For a Bible school course, it is good to plan for 40 contact hours between the teacher and students . This allows 1 lesson for a class hour . and nail 6. The Questions. Most questions in the margins are identified by the hammer symbols . Questions are steps toward a goal . As a student answers the questions, he or she is sure to reach the goals . The hammer introduces content questions and the nail precedes application questions. Our logo for this book includes the hammer hitting the nail . A student must grasp content before being able to apply it . The answers to all content questions are in the text, near the question . We encourage students to answer nail or application questions from their local settings . In some books there is the symbol of a shovel before certain questions . Questions beside the shovel symbol are inductive questions . The word induce means to lead . These questions lead students to discover truth for themselves . The shovel symbol alerts students that it is time to dig in and discover truth for themselves . All students studying this course alone should complete the shovel questions. Such students miss the 40 or more hours in a classroom that resident or extension students receive . The shovel questions will help these correspondence students get more out of the course . When this book is used in a classroom setting, students will still benefit from answering the shovel questions. Teachers may require students to answer all shovel questions outside of class, or they may guide students to complete these questions in class; or they may replace some shovel questions with other work. . 7. The Illustrations, such as stories and examples, are preceded by the candle symbol 8. Figures include pictures, photos, charts, and maps . We number the figures in order throughout the chapter . For example, the first three figures in chapter one are numbered 1 .1, 1 .2, and 1 .3 . There is a list of figures near the front of the book .
8

1. The Lesson headings divide each chapter into two to four parts . Each of these parts or lessons focuses on several principles related to one theme . We number the lessons consecutively throughout the book .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

10. Essay Test Topics are at the end of each chapter, indicated by the pencil symbol . Note that these essay topics are the lesson goals of the chapter . A student should be able to summarize these goals, writing 50-100 words on each one . These essay topics test students at a much higher level than the multiple choice, Test Yourself questions . 11. Sample Answers to the hammer questions, some comments on the nail questions, and answers for the Test Yourself questions and Essay Topics are in the Teachers Guide . Students should answer questions so they will grow and become strong in their mental skills . 12. Bible quotations are usually from the New International Version (NIV) . We also use the New Century Version (NCV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the King James Version (KJV) . We encourage students to compare biblical passages in several versions of the Bible . 13. The Scripture List includes key Scripture references in this course . It is located near the back of the book . 14. The Bibliography is near the endnotes page . It is a complete list of books the author refers to in this course . Some students will want to do further research in these books . 15. Endnotes identify the sources of thoughts and quotes . They are listed by chapter at the end of the book . 16. The Unit Exams and Final Exam are in the Teachers Guide . In the Teachers Guide there are also other useful items for the teacher and potential projects for the students . 17. Course Description: (BIB3043) This is a study of the historical setting, symbolism, and meaning of the last book of the Bible . Related passages in Daniel and other biblical books are explored, interpreted, and integrated . There is a pastoral focus of understanding, illustrating, and applying the timeless scriptural truths of this prophetic book . 18. Global Goals for the entire course are listed below . The goals in each chapter will enable a student to reach these broader goals . By the end of this book, a student should be able to: Discuss the author, date, purpose, and style of Revelation . Summarize the characteristics of Christ revealed in chapters 13, 5, 12, 19, and 22 of Revelation . Relate these to the faith of believers today . Draw a chart of Revelation 122 and use it to explain the structure of the book . Explain the historical context of the seven messages in Revelation 23 . Interpret the content of each message and apply it to self and others . Relate prophetic passages from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and First and Second Thessalonians to Revelation . Apply these passages to believers today . Analyze and apply the content of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Tribulation period . Summarize what Revelation 13 and 17 teach about Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet . Relate these teachings to current events and believers today . Summarize what Revelation 1722 teaches about Babylon, the Second Coming, the Marriage Supper, Armageddon, the final judgment, the Millennium, and eternity . Apply these teachings to your local context . Explain each of the 30 pictures at the front of the book by artist Pat Marvenko Smith . Preach and teach biblical messages whose main points come from a section in Revelation . 19. Authors Dr. Glen D. Cole was Superintendent of the Northern California and Nevada District Council of the Assemblies of God . He served 450 churches and 1,500 pastors . Prior to being elected district superintendent, Dr . Cole was widely recognized as an outstanding leader . He graduated from Central Bible College and served in the pastoral ministry for nearly 40 years . His most recent pastorate was at Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, California . During his 17 years as Senior Pastor, the church grew to over 4,000 members . He raised up a Christian School that has grown to 1,600 students and a
9

9. The Test Yourself questions come at the end of each chapter and are indicated by the balance symbol . There are always ten of these questions . As a rule, there are two test questions for each goal in the chapter . If students miss any of these questions, they need to understand why they missed them . Knowing why an answer is right is as important as knowing the right answer .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Dr. Quentin McGhee is the founder and senior editor of the Faith & Action Series . He earned a B .A . from Southwestern College in Oklahoma City, and a B .S . from Oral Roberts University (ORU) . Later he completed an M .Div . at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary . There he taught beginning Greek and was selected by the faculty for Whos Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities . He earned a D .Min . from ORU in 1987 . Dr . McGhee and his wife, Elizabeth, pioneered a church in Oklahoma . They went on to serve as missionaries in Kenya for 15 years . There they helped start many churches, developed an extension Bible school for full-time ministers, and assisted in curriculum development . Currently, Dr . McGhee serves with Assemblies of God World Missions as Director for the Faith & Action Series under the Latin American/Caribbean field . 20. Contributors and Consultants Dr. Stanley M. Horton approved this course for biblical and theological accuracy . His degrees include a B .S . from the University of California, an M .Div . from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, an S .T .M . from Harvard University, and a Th .D . from Central Baptist Theological Seminary . He is Distinguished Professor of Bible and Theology Emeritus at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri . Dr . Horton has written 400 articles and book reviews, and authored 46 books on topics such as Genesis, Amos, Matthew, John, Acts, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Revelation, and the Holy Spirit . Dr. Robert E. Cooley provided over 30 photos for this course and confirmed its historical and cultural accuracy . His degrees include a B .A . in Biblical Studies and Archaeology from Wheaton College, an M .A . in Religious Education from Wheaton College Graduate School, and a Ph .D . in Hebrew Studies and Near Eastern Archaeology from New York University . Dr . Cooley served as President and Professor of Biblical Studies and Archaeology at Gordon-Conwell from 1981-97 . He currently serves in many outstanding positions, including Distinguished Professor of Biblical Archaeology, Jerusalem University; Counsel to the President for Strategic Leadership, Eastern Nazarene College; Distinguished Visiting Scholar, and Counsel to the President, Bethel College and Seminary; Chancellor and Professor of Biblical Studies and Archaeology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary . He has written articles in publications such as The Bulletin of the Near East Archaeological Society, The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, Theological Education, and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East. Dr. George O. Wood provided tapes and manuscripts of his preaching and teaching through Revelation . His insights and illustrations were vital to this course . Dr . Wood has served as General Secretary of the Assemblies of God since 1993, and was elected as General Superintendent in 2007 . He is the son of missionary parents to China and Tibet . He completed his undergraduate degree from Evangel College (now Evangel University) . Later, he earned a doctorate in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law . He was assistant district superintendent of Southern California for four years and pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa for 17 years . Dr . Wood has authored a number of books .
10

Bible Institute that is training 150 students . In recognition of his distinguished ministry, Pastor Cole was awarded an honorary D .D . from Pacific Bible College in Sacramento . Dr . Cole has served in a variety of Assemblies of God positions, including the Executive Presbytery for 10 years, the Foreign Missions Board, the Chairman of the Board for Central Bible College, and the Theological Seminary Advisory Board . He also served as vice chairman of Billy Graham Crusades in Sacramento . He is a popular speaker at conferences, district councils, camp meetings, and churches of several denominations . Groups and individuals throughout the world have enjoyed his preaching and international tape ministry . His contributions and articles have appeared in The Spirit Filled Life Study Bible, The Pentecostal Evangel, Advance, Enrichment, The Pentecostal Pastor, and numerous other books and periodicals . He and his wife, Mary Ann, have been in ministry together for over 50 years . Their two sons, Randy and Rick, are ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God .

Unit 1: The Vision of Christ Among the Churches

(Chapters 14)
Chapter 1 contains the foundation for our study. In it we will do five things. Discuss the name, forms, author, and date of Revelation. Explain the setting of John and his first readers. Study a map showing the location of Patmos and the seven churches. Identify the two themes of Revelation. Consider four guidelines for interpreting the book.

N w OT .F FA W ai I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N er N O ie N s LY .o r

Chapters 3 and 4 of this book emphasize the minor theme of Revelation. This theme is that only those who listen to the Spirit and overcome will inherit the promises of God. The Spirit calls five of the churches to repent (Rev. 23). Sometimes we think repentance is only for the lost. But John emphasizes that repentance is also for believers. How important is it for believers to repent of sin? How important is it to hear what the Spirit says to the churches? Consider the warnings and threats of Jesus. Believers at Ephesus had left their first love. He warned them to repent or He would remove their church. Believers at Pergamum were following the lusts of the flesh. He warned them to repent or He would fight against them. Believers at Thyatira were committing sexual sins. He warned them to repent or He would make them suffer greatly. He warned that He would strike dead believers who followed Jezebel. He warned sinning believers at Sardis that they were no longer worthy to walk with Him. He warned proud, lukewarm believers at Laodicea that He was about to spit them out of His mouth. Do not miss the point John is making. Gods children must repent to receive the promises of heaven. Those who refuse to repent lose their inheritance. This is not a new theme of John or of the New Testament. Paul wrote that Gods children are those who are led by His Spirit (Rom. 8:14). He said that the Spirit controls those He lives in (Rom. 8:8-9). Paul also wrote that those who practice sin would not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Likewise, John is only reminding believers of what he wrote earlier. Jesus said we must remain in the vine. Branches that refuse to remain in the vine wither, die, and are burned (John 15:2, 6). Later, John wrote that no one who lives in Christ keeps on sinning ... He who does what is right is righteous ... He who does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:6-8). We overcome as we listen to the Spirit and repent. Then we will receive the promises of God. More than any other book of the New Testament, Revelation emphasizes the responsibility of the believer. Gods grace is sufficient for every sin and every trial. But we must choose to accept or reject His grace. God will not save us without our cooperation! He saves those, and only those, who listen to and obey the Spirit.

Chapter 2 focuses on Jesus, the major theme of Revelation. Our Lord will return to triumph over all evil. We will first survey all of Revelation, looking for insights about Jesus. This will give us a good overview. Then we will return to Revelation 1. There we will consider the details of Johns vision of the King of Kings.

11

Chapter 3:

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

(Revelation 2)
Introduction
One morning, a mother called to her children . Its time to get up, she said . All three of the children heard her, but not all obeyed . One heard her voice, but turned over and kept sleeping . In this chapter, the Spirit is calling to Christians . The words He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches occur several times . Those who truly have ears to hear are the ones who listen and obey . These wake up! Remember the promise of Revelation 1:3 as you study this chapter . Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation discuss conflicts . They show the Church in her struggles with the world, the flesh, and the devil . Remember that it is not how you start the race, but how you finish it that matters .
Figure 3.1 A temple in Ephesus to worship the Roman Emperor Hadrian (beginning of the second century)

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

Lessons:

6 7 8 9

Ephesus: The Church That Left Its First Love (Rev. 2:1-7)

Goal A: Explain 3 reasons why we believe the seven messages are for all churches. Goal B: Analyze the praise, problem, solution, warning, and promise to Ephesus. Apply these to believers today.

Smyrna: The Church That Was Persecuted (Rev. 2:8-11)

Goal A: Identify and apply 3 aspects of the condition of believers in Smyrna. Goal B: Apply 3 things the Lord said to encourage believers in Smyrna.

Pergamum: The Church That Lived in Satans Capital City (Rev. 2:12-17)
Goal: Summarize 3 truths that the message to Pergamum teaches about churches.

Thyatira: The Church That Tolerated Jezebel (Rev. 2:18-29)

Goal: Identify and illustrate 3 attitudes toward evil.

Key Words

Ephesus Artemis Pergamum Nicolaitans

Smyrna Antipas emperor

34

second death Balaam Thyatira

Lesson

Ephesus: The Church That Left Its First Love (Rev. 2:1-7)

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Setting There were many other churches in Asia Minor besides the seven in Revelation .1 One example is the church at Colosse to whom Paul wrote . The seven churches in Revelation were not the most important, the largest, or the only churches of that day . But God chose these seven because they represented certain spiritual conditions . For example, what John wrote to *Ephesus, other Christians in other places needed to hear . There are three reasons why we believe all Christians need to pay attention to Johns messages to the seven churches .
1. God praises good and hates evil in all locations. In Mark 13:37, Jesus
Description Verses in Revelation 7 churches 7 spirits 7 stars 1:4, 11, 20; 23 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6 7 lampstands 7 seals 7 eyes 1:12, 20; 2:1; 4:5 1:16, 20; 2:1; 3:1 5:6 5:6 5:1-5; 6:1-17; 8:1 7 horns 7 angels 8:2, 69:19; 10:7; 11:15; 15:1, 617:2; 21:9 8:2, 69:19; 10:7; 11:15 10:3-4 11:13 12:3 13:5 7 trumpets 7 thunders 7 heads 7 thousand people killed 7 crowns 12:3; 3:1; 17:3, 7, 9

was talking to His followers about the 7 plagues and 7 bowls 15:1, 617:1; 21:9 time of His return . He told them, What 7 hills 17:9 I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch! 17:9-11 Likewise, what Jesus says to the seven 7 kings Figure 3.2 Chart showing some of the 7s in Revelation churches in Revelation 23 He says to all . What the Lord reveals about Himself to each church, He reveals to all . The good deeds He praises in Ephesus, He praises Q 1 Could the message in any church that has these good deeds . The sin He hates in one church, He hates in to Ephesus help believers at another . The promises He gives to overcomers in one church, He gives to all overcomers your church? Explain. in all churches . Locations do not change what God loves and hates .
2. John sent the whole book of Revelation to all seven of the churches. Each
Q2 Summarize 3 reasons why we believe the seven messages are for all believers.

7 years divided in half

church did not receive only the part directed to it . That is why we say each church received a message, and not a letter .+ Each church received the entire book of Revelation . Recall that Jesus blesses those who read and obey all of Revelation, not just a part of it (Rev . 1:3; 22:7) . John did not say that those with ears to hear should hear what the Spirit said to only one church . The words He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to [all] the churches are repeated many times . This shows us that all of the messages to the churches are for believers to hear and obey .
3. The number 7 shows completeness or fullness.2

Seven appears 54 times in Revelation (See Figure 3 .2) . God rested on the seventh day after His creation was complete . The seven messages in Revelation 2 and 3 were for real churches in real cities . Each church had members and a pastor . Revelation 23 contains some material that

+ The outline in the NIV Study Bible refers to the letters to the seven churches. We prefer the word message instead of letter. Using the word letter makes it sound like each church received only one message. In contrast, the Spirit wanted all seven churches to hear all seven messages and all of Revelation. Each church did not receive a separate letter. Rather, each received all of the book of Revelation. 35

Goal A: Explain 3 reasons why we believe the seven messages are for all churches. Goal B: Analyze the praise, problem, solution, warning, and promise to Ephesus. Apply these to believers today.

36

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

especially applied to specific churches . But together, the seven messages to the seven churches give us a complete message from God .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Church Time Period A.D. 33100 Characteristics of the Church 1. Ephesus 2. Smyrna Busy, correct in their beliefs; strong in hate; weak in love A.D. 100312 A.D. 312590 Persecuted and poor, but pure 3. Pergamum 4. Thyatira 5. Sardis Faithful in persecution, but tolerant of false teachers like Balaam and Nicolas Well known, but mostly dead and dirty; a few wore unspotted robes Persecuted and pure; ready for the Rapture A.D. 5901517 Fruitful in deeds of love, but tolerant of Jezebel A.D. 15171750 A.D. 17501905 6. Philadelphia 7. Laodicea A.D. 1905Tribulation Lukewarm, formal, powerless, proud, blind, and naked Figure 3.3 Chart comparing the seven churches to seven time periods of church history Figure 3.4 Stone arch at Roman public meeting place in Smyrna

In this view the church at Ephesus represents the Church from A .D . 33 to 100 . Then each of the remaining six churches, in order, represents a period of church history . Laodicea represents the final state of the lukewarm church .3 This will be a backslidden church left on earth after the Rapture . Matching the seven churches with periods of church history is an interesting view .4 Those with this view, however, believe there is always a faithful remnant of the Church . For a more complete explanation of this view, read Dr . David Yonggi Chos book . 5

Q3 Look at Ephesus and Pergamum in the chart. How do the descriptions of Christ relate to the warnings to each of these churches?

Figure 3 .5 gives a summary of the seven messages to the seven churches . Notice that the message to each church has six parts . Each message begins with a description of Christ . These descriptions of Jesus come from the vision John wrote about in Revelation 1:12-16 . The second part of the message is usually a word of praise to the church . Parts 3-5 are the problem, solution, and warning . Each message closes with Part 6, a promise to those who overcome . Take a few minutes to study the chart on the seven churches . Then we will study about Ephesus, the first church on the chart . Review this chart after we study each church .
Praise to the church Church problem Solution or counsel Warning Promises

Church

Description of Christ

Ephesus (2:1-7)

Holds 7 stars

Deeds, hard work

Walks among 7 golden lampstands

Perseverance

Remember Repent Re-do

Rejected false apostles

Left first love

Their lampstand Overcomers will may be eat of the tree of removed. life in paradise.

Hated deeds of Nicolaitans

They suffered. Smyrna (2:8-11) First and Last Died and came alive They were poor, but spiritually rich. Slandered and accused

Those faithful to Satan will put death will gain a Do not be some in prison. crown of life. afraid to suffer. There will be Overcomers Be faithful, suffering for 10 will not be hurt even to death. days. by the second death.

Continued on next page

Some compare the seven churches in Revelation to seven time periods of church history .

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

37

Church Pergamum (2:12-17)

Description of Christ Has the sharp,two edged sword

Praise to the church

Church problem

Solution or counsel

Warning

Promises

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Son of God Feet like brass Deeds, love, faith, service Thyatira Eyes like fire (2:18-29) Allows the false Perseverance prophetess Increasing deeds Jezebel Some do not follow Jezebel. Repent of Jezebels ways. Followers of Jezebel will suffer greatly with her. Overcomers will receive authority over nations and receive the morning star. Wake up! Sardis (3:1-6) Strengthen what is near The sinful will be Holds 7 spirits Deeds Dead! of God surprised when A few dont wear Deeds were not death. He comes. Remember Holds 7 stars dirty clothes. complete. Obey Repent Overcomers will be dressed in white, and Christ will not blot their names out of His book, but claim them. An open door Holy and true Holds the key of David: opens and shuts doors Deeds Philadelphia (3:7-13) Little strength, kept His word Endured patiently Christ will keep them from the hour of trial that will test the Hold on so you whole earth. do not lose your Jesus is coming crown. soon. Overcomers will be pillars and be written on. The Amen Laodicea (3:14-22) The faithful and true witness The ruler of Gods creation Buy from Neither cold nor Christ gold, hot clothes, and Confession eye medicine. did not match Be sincere, condition. repent Christ rebukes those He loves. If you open the door, He will come in. The Lord will spit out the lukewarm. Overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne. Figure 3.5 Summary of the seven messages to the churches in Revelation

Remained true in Allows deadly trials Nicolaitans

Repent

A. The city of Ephesus State at least 3 Ephesus is probably first on the list of the seven churches because it was the greatest city .6 Q 4 It was beside the Aegean Sea and famous for business . The biggest ships in the world could things the New Testament tells us about Ephesus. come there . Also, there were major roads that ended in Ephesus . Some have dug up the main street of the city . It was 36 feet (11 m) wide, 1,735 feet (529 m) long, and made of marble . The street ended at the sea . There were business shops all along the main street . Some think about 200,000 people lived in Ephesus when John wrote Revelation .7 Ephesus was also famous for the temple of the Greek goddess, *Artemis . (Some refer to Artemis as Diana, her Roman name .8) People worshiped her as the goddess of the moon . She was also linked with childbirth . Statues showed her with many breasts .9 Her temple was one of the seven wonders of the Old World . In the entire world, there was no other Roman temple so great . It was 425 feet (130 m) long, 220 feet (67 m) wide, and had 120 stone pillars that were each 60 feet (18 m) high . People traveled to Ephesus from all over the Roman Empire . There they bowed down to the idol of Artemis . Recall the great riot in the city during Pauls ministry (Acts 19:23-41) . Businessmen, like Demetrius, became angry when people began to turn from Artemis to Jesus .

Lived by Satans Allows followers throne of Balaam

Overcomers receive Christ may fight hidden manna and against them a white stone with a with the sword of new name written on His mouth. it.

38

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 3.6 This marble street at Ephesus led past businesses to the harbor. Figure 3.7 Ruins of the temple of Artemis (Diana) in Ephesus

There is a lot in the Bible related to Ephesus . Pauls greatest revival was in Ephesus . He ministered 3 years there; longer than in any other city (Acts 20:31) . Ephesus was an open door to reach Asia Minor . He preached the gospel in the synagogue, in the school of Tyrannus, in homes, and in the marketplaces (Acts 19) . Twelve men were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7) . Unholy spirits were cast out of many . The sons of Sceva had a race in the street . But the anointing on Paul was so great in this pagan city that handkerchiefs from his body brought healing . Converts burned magic books worth enough money to pay 1,000 men for working 50 days . Did the smoke from these books fill the main street and enter the temple of Artemis? Paul left Priscilla and Aquila to minister in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19) . In Ephesus, Apollos, the great Jewish speaker, came to know the way of God in a better way (Acts 18:24-26) . Priscilla and Aquila taught him there . Paul was very close to the Ephesian elders . He wept with them when he had to say good-bye (Acts 20:17-38) . Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus . Paul left him there and wrote to him later (1 Tim . 1:3) . The letter to the Ephesians is one of Pauls most glorious letters in the New Testament . It emphasizes that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ .

Ephesus is truly one of the most important cities in the New Testament . John wrote first to the Ephesians . To them he described Jesus as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands . Then John said some good things about the Ephesian believers .

Figure 3.8 Artemis (Diana) statue at Ephesus

B. The praise: four encouraging things about the Ephesian Christians They did good deeds and worked hard for God (Rev. 2:2) . Their good deeds probably included attending church, giving offerings to the poor, helping orphans and widows, and witnessing . It was costing them something to follow Christ (2 Sam . 24:24) . They were not idle . The Ephesian church was alive and active . The Lord praised them for this . They had good doctrine . They did not follow false teachers, but tested those who claimed to be apostles (Rev . 2:2) . Unlike many today, the saints at Ephesus studied the Word . This led them to separate themselves from teachers who made up stories and twisted Scriptures . The Ephesians were like the Christians at Berea . They did not say Amen to what every preacher said . They searched the Scriptures to see what was true (Acts 17:11) . Thus, they discovered that some preachers are liars . Jesus praised the Ephesians for studying the Scriptures and not just listening to others . They had endurance . It was not easy to be a Christian in Ephesus . Men like Demetrius hated Christians . But these believers did not grow weary in well doing (Rev . 2:3) . They were not like the seed that fell on stony soil . These Ephesian Christians persevered when hard trials came . The Lord assured them that He appreciated their endurance . Like Jesus, they hated the practices of the *Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6) . The Nicolaitans taught that believers are free to follow the lusts of the flesh . The Bible teaches that none who follow the lusts of the flesh will inherit Gods kingdom (1 Cor . 6:9-10;

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

39

Rev . 21:8) .10 Hating what God hates is a key to having fellowship with Him . We will Q 5 What does it cost church members you know to study this important topic more when we come to Thyatira, in Lesson 9 . C. The problem: good works without love Are all preachers in Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love (Rev . 2:4) . Notice Q 6 your area truthful? Explain. that the Lord mixes in four positive things with only one negative thing . He builds them up about four things, and only asks them to improve in one area . It is easier to receive correction if it is mixed with praise . A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down . The Ephesians got an A grade for hate, but an F for love . Matthew 24:12 speaks Q 7 What did the of a time when the rise of evil will cause the fall of love . Ephesus was a place of great Nicolaitans believe? evil . The greatest Greek temple in the world was there . Enemies like Demetrius hated Christians . But there were also enemies inside the church . These internal enemies called Why do people themselves apostles . However, the Ephesian Christians called them liars . Other enemies Q 8 respond better when within the church were the Nicolaitans . The Ephesians hated the sins of the Nicolaitans . correction is mixed with God praised them for this hate . But we can spend too much time hating and not enough praise? time loving . We should use most of our time to think about good things (Phil . 4:8) . The world does not know we are Christians by our hate . Q9 What is the danger of spending too much time Perhaps the evils of Ephesus made it easy for believers to slip away from their first love . But there may also be a second reason for their falling . The church at Ephesus was hating evil? about 30 years old when John wrote to believers there . Paul had praised the believers for their love when he wrote to the Ephesians (Eph . 1:15-16) . But the church at Ephesus was now in its second generation of believers .11 Many of the believers at Ephesus had not been in the revival with Paul . They had become Christians during the 30-year period between the letters of Paul and John . These believers had not completely left Christ . But their love was cool . Sometimes the second and third generations of believers do not have the same hot love for Christ that their parents had . On the other hand, revival may come through the young . The Ephesian believers were still doing some good works . But the source of their good works was no longer love for Christ . Good deeds were just part of a dull way of life . They had lost their first love, joy, and zeal . Figure 3.9 The rebuilt Celsus Library, next D. The solution: remember, repent, re-do Whenever the Lord shows us a problem, He always has a solution . He told them three steps to take to be in the right relationship with Him . He told them to remember, repent, and re-do . 1. Remember! So often, slipping away from Christ is the result of forgetting what we once knew .12 Many times what we need is not a new truth or revelation . We need to remember the way it once was in our relationship with the Savior . A young man met Jesus Christ as his Savior . His love and joy were so great that he talked to many about Jesus . One day in Sunday school class he asked his teacher a question . Can we put the good news about Jesus Christ in the newspaper? He wanted everyone in the town to know the Jesus he had met . In those days he spent a lot of time reading his Bible . Also, he wished there were more church services during the week . A husband had forgotten how much he once loved his wife . Looking at some old pictures helped him remember the way his love was in the early years of marriage . He recalled the kind way he once talked to his wife . Once he really cared about how nice she looked . Now, it did not matter to him . He remembered the patience he once showed to her . Once, if she was late, he sat smiling and thinking about her . Now, he yelled at her to hurry up! Thinking about the past helped him remember how far he had fallen .
to the huge gates of the market at Ephesus live for Christ?

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Q 10 How is your love for Christ compared to the way it was when you first met him?

40

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

3. Re-do. Re-do or do again the things you once did . Notice the Lord does not say

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Do not let your good works decrease . Practice the things that you know are right . Take time to pray . Pay your tithes . Give offerings to the poor . Live a holy life . Read your Bible often . Hate evil . Love what is right . Be faithful in attending your church . Remember how far you have fallen . Repent . Re-do . These are the three steps to returning to our first love for Christ . E. The warning Jesus warned the believers at Ephesus what would happen if they refused to listen . If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place (Rev . 2:5) . If they were stubborn, the church would be removed from the presence of Jesus . In other words, the Lord would no longer be in their midst .14 History tells us that the church at Ephesus did well until the 5th century . After that, both the church and the city declined . No one has lived in Ephesus since the 14th century .15 F. The promise To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev . 2:7) .
Q 12 In heaven, will there be some believers who overcame and some who did not overcome? Explain. Rev. 2:2 2:2 2:5

to seek after the former feelings . Feelings follow actions . If we practice doing the right things, with the right attitudes, the right feelings will follow .13 Therefore, after we change our attitudes, we need to change our actions .

Who are the overcomers? Revelation divides all people into two groups . There are those who overcome, and those who are overcome . There is no middle group . We either win or lose . We are either loyal to Jesus Christ or the spirit of the Antichrist . The word overcomers does not refer to a high level of believers that are more spiritual than other believers .16 Overcomers are the only believers!17 The chart that follows is based on the Lords message to the church at Ephesus . It emphasizes Romans 12:21, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Description of those who are overcome by evil Rev.

Description of those who overcome evil

They do good deeds and work hard. They persevere through hard times. They test and reject false teachers.

2:2-3

They remember, repent, re-do their first works, They fall from their first love and do not return. and return to their first love. They hate what God hates. They submit to what the Spirit says.

2:6 2:7

They are stubborn and refuse to submit to the Spirit.

They cease to give light and lose the Lords presence.

Figure 3.10 Those who overcome and those who are overcome (Rev. 2:1-7)

To overcomers, the only true believers, Jesus promises the fruit of the tree of life . The words tree of life refer back to Genesis 3:24 and forward to Revelation 22:2 . Because of Adams sin and our sin, we lost the privilege of eternal life . God gives life back to us in Christ (Rom . 6:23) . We will have new bodies when Christ returns . Therefore, we will not have the physical needs we have now . But the tree of life is a symbol of eternal life in the new kingdom . Its fruit reminds us that we must always depend on Gods provisions rather than trust in self .18

g
2:4 2:5 2:5

Q 11 Explain 3 keys to recovering our first love for Jesus.

2. Repent. Repentance is a change of mind . It means to face another direction . Do not

just feel bad about how far you have fallen . Turn around and face the direction that was better! Change your mind and your attitude!

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

41

Lesson

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

A. They were persecuted. Persecution came from the government, from unbelieving Jews, and from Satan . Smyrna had a close relationship with Rome . The citizens of Smyrna built a temple to the Roman Emperor Tiberius in 23 B .C .20 Also, there were many Jews in Smyrna who were loyal to Rome . The Roman Caesars demanded to be worshiped . They commanded each person to confess that Caesar was Lord . This was the government law! But the Christians refused . Therefore, the government called Christians traitors . Evil rulers killed some Christians and put others in prison . Believers lost their jobs because the government hated them . They lost their possessions because the government would not protect them . In Smyrna, believers paid a high price to follow Jesus . They suffered for their faith . Who would choose to live in Smyrna? Who would choose to suffer? Not many! But sometimes God chooses for us to suffer . Sometimes it is Gods will for us to suffer (1 Pet . 2:20-21; 4:19) . Why? Because suffering produces a spiritual smyrna or perfume in Christians . Identify the smyrna in each of the following . Suffering produces patience and Christian maturity (James 1:2-4) . Suffering is like a fire that purifies (1 Pet . 1:6-7) . Suffering causes us to lose our desire for sin (1 Pet . 4:1-2) . Figure 3.12 Stone carvings in Suffering can be a form of discipline to perfect us (1 Cor . 11:30-32; Smyrna. Center is Poseidon, Greek Heb .12:3-11) . god of the sea and horses. The Romans changed his name to Suffering may prevent us from sinning and help us be holy (2 Cor . 12:7) . Neptune. Left is Demeter. Suffering can teach us things that nothing else can teach us (Heb . 5:8) . She was the Greek goddess of Suffering gives an opportunity for a powerful testimony for Christ (Acts farming, marriage, and fertility. 9:15-16) . The Romans called her Ceres. Suffering enables us to fellowship with Jesus (Col . 1:24) . Suffering gives us a path to follow the footsteps of Christ (1 Pet . 2:21) .

Setting We are studying the messages to the seven churches . From Ephesus, we move north Q 13 What is smyrna or about 31 miles (50 kms .) . There we find the second church, which was in the city of myrrh? *Smyrna . Today it is the modern city of Izmir in Turkey . In Greek, the word smyrna is the same word as myrrh . Myrrh or smyrna occurs three times in the Gospels . Matthew 2:11The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and smyrna . Mark 15:23They offered Jesus wine mixed with smyrna on the cross . John 19:39Nicodemus and Joseph took the body of Jesus down from the cross . They wrapped it in a linen cloth, adding about 75 pounds (34 kgs) of smyrna and aloes . Myrrh is a sweet-smelling sap or gum .19 To get it, people cut the bark Figure 3.11 John wrote messages to the seven churches. of a certain tree in Ethiopia and Arabia . This causes the tree to bleed the sweet-smelling smyrna . Thus, the tree must suffer to produce the fragrance of smyrna . In this lesson we will study about the spiritual smyrna that suffering produces in Q 14 What are some believers . Let us take a closer look at the sweet-smelling church of Smyrna . There are examples of spiritual smyrna? three things we should note about the condition of believers at Smyrna .

Goal A: Identify and apply 3 aspects of the condition of believers in Smyrna. Goal B: Apply 3 things the Lord said to encourage believers in Smyrna.

Smyrna: The Church That Was Persecuted (Rev. 2:8-11)

42

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Whom shall we pity, those who suffer or those who do not? David was a man with many tears and trials . These trials shaped him into a mature leader . His son, Solomon, grew up in a palace . He never had a splinter in his finger or a callus on his hand . He enjoyed pleasure and riches instead of hard work and suffering . Whom shall we pity, David or Solomon? Cry with the believers at Smyrna, but for those at Laodicea . The believers at Smyrna smelled sweet to God . Persecution had brought forth a godly perfume in their lives . Jesus had no rebuke for these believers . We should not search for trials and suffering . But when these come, they let us know God has a purpose .
Q 16 Suppose you were the pastor of the church Marc attended. What counsel would you have given Marc and Francis?

Marc was a believer . A church began in his home . In the beginning, there were only a few believers . However, as believers shared their faith, others began to accept Christ . As the years passed, the number of believers increased . They bought land and built a nice church . Marc was faithful to God and the church during these years . But one thing caused him many tears . He had been married for several years . Still they had no children . His wife became pregnant nine times during these years . Her pregnancy never lasted over a few months . They always lost the baby before it was time for it to be born . Another believer named Francis criticized them . He told Marc and others that God was punishing them for their sins . This only added to the sorrow of Marc and his godly wife . Then she became pregnant the tenth time . After nine months, she gave birth to their first son . Marc and his wife were delighted . Francis said they must have repented . B. They were poor. The Greek word that describes the believers at Smyrna is for the poorest of the poor . Perhaps some of them did not have two pennies to rub together . The government would not protect them against robbers . Like many other Christians, their property and possessions were probably stolen (Heb . 10:34) .21 These believers were poor by earthly standards, but spiritually rich .22 They had strong faith .

Q 17 Are riches or poverty a sign of being spiritual? Explain.

Figure 3.13 Old stone sarcophagus in Smyrna (for the body of a rich person)

Some teachers today rebuke poor Christians . These false teachers say that those who have faith cannot be poor like the believers at Smyrna . These proud hypocrites think that riches are the evidence of being spiritual . In the Old Testament, riches were sometimes a sign of Gods blessing . But in the New Testament, you cannot measure a persons faith by wealth or poverty . Many of the apostles were poor (2 Cor . 6:10) . James tells us that God has chosen the poor to inherit His eternal kingdom (James 2:5) . For every rich man that reaches heaven, there will be a thousand poor people there (Matt . 19:21-24; Luke 1:53; 4:18; 7:22) . False teachers today rebuke the poor . But Jesus said only good things to the poor believers at Smyrna . In contrast, the Lord rebuked the rich believers at Laodicea . Rather than rebuke the poor, we should share with them (Matt . 6:3; Rom . 15:26) .

C. They were slandered.

We know that Satan falsely accuses believers (Rev . 12:10) . In Greek the word devil (diabolos) means accuser .23 In Smyrna the devil was accusing Christians through those claiming to be Jews . We are called to be the temple of the Holy Spirit . But these Jews were the synagogue of Satan (Rev . 2:9) .
Q 18 Do you know any true Jews?

Recall that Jesus, the apostles, and many of the first Christians were Jews . Thousands of Jews accepted Christ . A true Jew is a person whose heart is right with God (Matt . 3:9;

Q 15 Are James 1:2 and Hebrews 12:11 referring to the same kind of suffering? Explain.

James tells us to rejoice when we suffer (James 1:2) . But Hebrews 12:11 says that no discipline seems joyful at the time, but painful . Both are true from different points of view . Would you choose to laugh or cry? Most of us would choose to laugh . However, God gives no promise to those who laugh . But He blesses those who mourn and those who are persecuted (Matt . 5:4, 10-12) .

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

43

John 8:33; Rom . 2:28-29) . In New Testament times, the unbelieving Jews were enemies of Christ and Christians .24 The Bible teaches us not to repay anyone evil for evil . Vengeance belongs to God alone (Rom . 12:17-21) . In the message to Philadelphia, the Lord speaks again about Jews who are of the synagogue of Satan . Again, these religious hypocrites were slandering the godly . Jesus promises that one day He will make them kneel down in front of believers . He will force them to confess that God loves Christians who patiently endure trials (Rev . 3:9) .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John . He was the pastor of the church at Smyrna . On a feast day the Jews accused Polycarp of not being loyal to Caesar . They brought him to the Roman governor . There he refused to say that Caesar is Lord . The governor urged the old pastor to deny Christ . But Polycarp answered, Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never did me harm . How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? I am a Christian! Later the governor threatened, I have wild beasts nearby . I will throw you to these if you do not change . As the trial continued, the governor warned, I will burn you with fire if you are not afraid of the wild beasts! Polycarp answered, You threaten me with fire that burns for an hour and becomes cold . But you are ignorant of the fire of coming judgment and eternal punishment waiting for the ungodly . But why are you waiting to kill me? Bring what you want! Then the Jews who rejected Christ broke their own Sabbath to gather wood for the fire .25 In the flames, Polycarp gave thanks that he was worthy to be a martyr for Christ . Polycarp was the twelfth martyr for Christ in Smyrna .26 We have studied the condition of the Smyrna church . Believers there were persecuted, Q 19 Summarize 3 things about the condition poor, and slandered . Jesus knew their condition . We turn now to the Lords words about of believers at Smyrna. the future . The Lord says three things to these suffering believers . D. He tells them not to be afraid of what they will suffer (Rev. 2:10). Why not? Because the Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Matt . 28:20; Heb . 13:5) . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Ps . 23:4) . Recall the way John began the message to Smyrna . These are the words of him Q 20 What comfort does Revelation offer to those who who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again (Rev . 2:8) . Believers at Smyrna needed this description of Jesus . He is the First and the Last . He existed before suffer for their faith in Christ? our troubles began and He will be there after our trials are over . His victory over death encourages us . He died and came to life again . Therefore, we do not fear death . Death is only a door that we pass through into the presence of God . As Revelation 14:13 says, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. The Lord warned them that it would get worse before it got better! The devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days (Rev . 2:10) . The encouraging part of this prophecy was that the Lord knew it . You might imagine the Lord saying, Fear not! I will destroy those who persecute you . The worst is behind you . Instead, the Lord promises them more of the same suffering! He never promised us freedom from trials . The Bible promises trials to believers . Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim . 3:12) . Jesus warned that we would have trouble in the world (John 16:33) . But He promised that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor . 12:9) . Jesus warned that persecution would continue for 10 days . Bible teachers are not sure teachers relate the 10 days what this meant . Some think it meant that the believers at Smyrna would only suffer for a of suffering to the Caesars?
Q 21 How do some

44

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 3.14 At Ephesus 24,000 people watched Christians martyred in this great theater. Time (A.D.) 8196 Roman *emperor Characteristics of the emperor 1. Domitian 2. Trajan He ordered people to worship him as the god Jupiter. Under this persecution John was exiled or sent away to the island of Patmos. There John wrote Revelation. 98117 He outlawed the Christian faith and persecuted the Church. Tradition says that Ignatius, a disciple of Peter, was torn to pieces in a den of lions during this time. He persecuted Christians. This evil ruler martyred many Christians, including Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, and Justin. 3. Hadrian 117138 4. Marcus Aurelius 161180 193211 5. Septimus Severus 7. Decius He passed a strict law against the spread of Christianity. As a result, the father of Origen, North Africas famous theologian, was beheaded. He murdered Christians and buried them in groups of 50 to 60. This emperor tried to destroy the Church through persecution. He died young. 6. Maximum 235237 249253 257260 270275 284305 8. Valerian He persecuted the Church. Cyprian, who was both a well-known Christian author and the bishop of Carthage, was a martyr during these years. He caused much suffering in the Church. This evil Caesar passed laws to destroy churches and burn all copies of the Bible. He killed every Christian he could find. Then he put up a big stone monument saying he had buried Christianity. However, 25 years after his death, Christianity was the state religion of Rome! 9. Aurelian 10. Diocletian Figure 3.15 Ten Roman emperors who persecuted the Church Figure 3.16 Huge stone head of the Roman Emperor Domitian (from his temple in Ephesus)

short period . Others compare the 10 days to 10 periods of church history . The chart that follows shows ten Roman rulers . It does not include Nero, because he ruled before John wrote Revelation . Nero was the first Caesar to slaughter Christians . He caused many Christians to be killed or put in prison . Tradition says Peter was crucified and Paul beheaded during Neros reign from A .D . 54-68 . Nero kicked his pregnant wife to death . He neutered and married a boy named Sporus . He also murdered his own mother . It was his delight to be treated like a god .27 Also, the chart does NOT include all Roman emperors who persecuted the church after John wrote .28 The ten rulers in the chart are only part of the evil Caesars who ruled after John wrote .

The time periods of these ten Caesars emphasize the persecution believers have endured! Jesus warned that things would get worse, and they did get worse! There was great persecution in the Church from A .D . 96305 . Hundreds of Christians were dragged into large outdoor theaters . There thousands of people came to watch lions eat the Christians . Many believers were crucified . Others were covered with animal skins and tortured by wild dogs . Some were covered with tar and set on fire to serve as human torches . Others were boiled in oil or burned alive, like Polycarp . One church historian estimates that 5 million Christians were martyred for Christ during the two centuries of these ten rulers!29 This terrible period of history reminds us of believers in the Old Testament . Read Hebrews 11:35-40 . Since Abel, the earth has been soaked with the blood of those who love God . If you live with persecution, you are not alone (Rom . 8:36) . If you live without persecution, take time to pray for believers who are suffering . About 160,000 believers are killed each year because they love Jesus . That is about 440 each day .30 At this rate, 5 million believers are martyred every 30 years . In other words, there are six times as many martyrs today as there were when the Caesars ruled!

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

45

Christianity is like a fire . The more you strike it, the more it will spread through the sparks that fly away .31 E. He promises a crown of life to those faithful to death (Rev. 2:10). Smyrna had a marble street and many beautiful buildings . These things that men built were referred to as the crown of Smyrna. Citizens of Smyrna were proud of this temporary crown . But Jesus promised believers a permanent crown of life (Rev . 2:10) . The Scriptures assure us that God measures our trials . He will not allow us to be tested more than we can bear . He will always provide a way out of the trial so that we can stand up under it (1 Cor . 10:13) . However, for many believers, the way of escape has been death . Death is a sudden mercy . God has placed limits on suffering . If the devil had his way, believers would suffer forever . But God has decreed that pain can only continue for a time . As a whistle ends a soccer match, death Figure 3.17 Gateway to a Roman forum that was part of Smyrnas crown stops a persons suffering on earth . The Christian life is a race, and the finish line is death . During the 200 years from A .D . 100300, many Christians lived in tunnels under the Q 22 In Johns day, what ground . These tunnels are called *catacombs . They still exist in Rome today . There are was the crown of the city of pictures on the walls of these tunnels . One picture has the face of Jesus and a bird flying Smyrna? toward him . Beside it are the words, Our beloved resurrects and goes to the presence of Q 23 In what way is the Lord . Wait for the coming of the Lord .32 Thus Christians kept their faith, even when death a sudden mercy? they lived and died under the ground . They looked forward to the crown of life Jesus Q 24 What is the promised them (Rev . 2:10; James 1:12) . F. Jesus promises that those who overcome will not be hurt at all by the second death (Rev. 2:11). Revelation 20:11-15 describes the final judgment at the Great White Throne of God . The *second death is the lake of fire (Rev . 20:14) . This is the sad fate of all who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord . Sinners may persecute Christians, and even kill them . The 10 days may have been a brief period or a 200-year period of history . Either way, it was a short time compared to eternity in heaven . During the Roman persecutions a small boy and his father were led to the wild beasts . As the cages opened, the angry animals appeared . The little boy moved closer to his father . The child asked, Will it hurt, father? The father put his arm around the boys shoulders . Then, looking up, he declared by faith, Perhaps, for one swift moment . But he who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death . Take a moment to read the encouraging words of Romans 8:18, 35-39 . 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lesson

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

second death? Figure 3.18 Ruins from the marketplace of Smyrna

Pergamum: The Church That Lived in Satans Capital City (Rev. 2:12-17)
Goal: Summarize 3 truths that the message to Pergamum teaches about churches.

Setting *Pergamum is the third of the seven churches in Revelation 23 . It is located about 50 miles (80 km) north of Smyrna (modern Izmir) . It is only about 20 miles (32 km)

46

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 3.19 Large outdoor theater of Pergamum with thousands of seats Q 25 What are 5 ways Satan led people astray in Pergamum? Figure 3.20 Stone carving to Asclepius at Pergamum. He was the Greek god of healing.

from Pergamum to the Aegean Sea . Today, the small village of Bergama in Turkey exists near the ruins of ancient Pergamum .33 The Greek word pergamum means fortress or fort . The city was built on top of a hill shaped like a cone or pear . The top of the hill was 1,000 feet (305 m) above the land around it . The city of Rome was the capital of the entire Roman Empire . But Pergamum was the Roman capital of the region of Asia . What Rome was to the western half of the empire, Pergamum was to the eastern half . More than any other city, it looked like the seat of authority . It stood tall and proud at the top of a huge, rocky hill .34 Pergamum had a university and a library of 200,000 scrolls . Each of these scrolls was written by hand! The city is also known for inventing parchment . This was a sheepskin prepared to write on . The message to Pergamum includes three great truths about churches .

A. God wants churches where sinners live. Jesus referred to Pergamum as Satans throne . Why? Pergamum was the center for five pagan cults . Take the time to read a little below about these five false religions that were in Pergamum . You are learning what John and the believers in Pergamum already knew . An altar to Zeus was located 800 feet (244 m) up the rocky mountain . Zeus was the chief of the Greek gods . His altar was on the edge of the mountain . It looked like a throne that was 40 feet (12 m) high . Smoke rose all day, each day, from sacrifices made to Zeus .35 This altar has been moved to Berlin, Germany .36 Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, had a temple beside the altar to Zeus . Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and sex, had a temple there . When people came to this temple to worship, they had sex with the prostitutes who lived in the temple! Asclepius, the Greek god of healing or medicine, had a temple outside the city wall . The symbol for this god was a snake curled around a staff . (Satan stole this idea from Numbers 21:8-9 .) Snakes that were not poisonous crawled and slithered around in the temple . Sick people came from all over the earth to Pergamum . They slept on the floor in the temple . They believed the snake god healed sick people . They hoped he would touch them in a dream . Today, most people realize that snakes do not heal us . Rather, they kill people! In India, Hindus still worship the cobra snake . Over 20,000 people die each year from cobra bites in India .37 Caesar was also worshiped in Pergamum . Once each year, each person was required to enter his temple . There they put a pinch of incense into the fire on the altar and said, Caesar is Lord . Imagine a sign near the edge of the city . It says, Welcome to Pergamum, the throne of Satan! Pergamum needed a church more than most places . Only one church kept Pergamum from being a place of total, spiritual darkness . Many times, when sin increases in a city, believers move away . We like to live where it is safe and comfortable . But praise be to God that these believers did not move away . Life was difficult for them in Pergamum . But they were the only hope for the lost sinners in that city . Some like to live in the shadow of a church so they can hear the chapel bell . Others feel called to open a rescue station a step away from hell .38 Jesus knows the address of each believer . He knows the amount of evil in each place . He praised the believers at Pergamum for holding fast his name . This shows that they had been faithful to confess Christ and live a holy life .

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

47

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Q 26 What place do you know that is most like Pergamum? Q 27 Why does God expect more fruit from some believers than from others?

A day of living for Christ in Pergamum did not produce much fruit . But the Lord does not expect much fruit from believers who live beside Satans throne . Sometimes the ground is so hard and rocky it breaks the plow . Then the landowner does not expect the harvest to be the same as that of good soil .39 Our part is to be faithful . Recall the theme of the parable of the sower (Matt . 13; Mark 4; Luke 8) . The fate of the seed depends on the listeners, not the one who sows . Noah did not have many converts . But God appreciated him! The Lord praised believers for standing firm . They did this even when *Antipas was killed . Tradition says that Antipas was roasted in a brass bowl during the days of Domitian .40 Notice that the Lord calls Antipas by name (Rev . 2:13) . He does not refer to Antipas as my fruitful witness, but as my faithful witness . The Bible does not say much about Antipas . But these three words, my faithful witness, tell us so much! What a contrast between this Antipas and Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist (Matt . 14:3-12) .41 B. Some dangerous enemies of the Church are inside it.
14

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev . 2:14-15) . Believers at Pergamum overcame the enemies outside the church . They overcame the false teachings about Zeus, the snake god, and worshiping a man like Caesar . But Jesus warned the followers of two enemies inside the church .
1. Jesus warned those following the teachings of *Balaam.

Which 2 types Balaam was an Q 28 unusual prophet in the Old Testament . Balak, king of Moab, paid Balaam to curse Israel . of sins do those who follow Balaam commit? Balaam said this was not possible (Num . 2224) . This emphasizes the great truth that when God blesses people, no one can cause them to be cursed . Nevertheless, sin brings a curse with it . Balaam advised Balak how to lead the Israelites into sin (Num . 31:16) . So Balak sent beautiful women to be friendly to the Israeli men . The men committed sexual sins with these Moabite women . The women invited the Israeli men to eat at their feasts . At the feasts the men bowed down to the gods of the Moabite women (Num . 25:1-3) . God became angry with the Israeli men because of their sexual sins and idolatry . Some people in the church at Pergamum were following the teaching of Balaam . That is, they were attending pagan feasts, bowing to idols, and committing sexual sins . A young believer named Grace had a problem . She went to school for many years . Her parents paid all the bills . Finally, she graduated from business school . Still, she could not find a job . Then her parents met a man who gave her a job as a secretary . She was very thankful, because jobs were hard to find . Her parents needed help paying the school bills of her brothers and sisters . Her work was not hard . The problem was her boss . She did not like the way he looked at her . Then one day he invited her out for lunch . It was awkward . On the one Figure 3.21 hand, she did not want to eat alone with him . On Giant marble carving to the Emperor Trajan. It sits on top of two stone columns at the entrance of his temple. the other hand, she did not want to offend him .

48

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

Q 29 If Grace came to you for advice, what would you tell her?

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Q 30 What are examples in your culture where believers have too many rules or too few?

This may have been the Nicolas who was one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5) . Many of the early church fathers believed Nicolas left the faith and started a false teaching .42 The Nicolaitans taught that believers are free to follow the lust of the flesh . But the Bible teaches us to live a life between two deadly giants .43 On the left is the giant of legalism . This giant, like the Pharisees, emphasized too much law . On the right is the giant of lust . This giant, like the Nicolaitans, emphasized living with too little law . The path to heaven is obeying the Bible and walking in the Spirit, not the flesh .
2. The Lord warned the followers of Nicolas.

Jesus warns all who follow the teachings of Balaam or Nicolas to repent . The Bible teaches that none who follow the lusts of the flesh will inherit Gods kingdom (1 Cor . 6:9-10; Rev . 21:8) .44 (We will study more about a believers attitude toward evil in the message to Thyatira, Lesson 9) . C. Each believer should belong to a church that agrees with the Bible. To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, doubled-edged sword (Rev . 2:12).

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (Rev . 2:16) .

There were two levels of rulers in the Roman kingdom . There were those who had the power to kill with the sword, and those who did not .45 The Roman ruler in Pergamum had the authority to kill Christians with the sword . In contrast to this earthly sword is the sword that flashes from the mouth of Christ . This reminds us of a teaching Jesus shared with His disciples . Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt . 10:28) . We should fear the sword of Christ, rather than the sword of Caesar . The Word of God is a sword with two edges . One edge is for fighting the devil . Jesus defeated the devil three times with it is written (Matt . 4:4, 7, 10) . Likewise, believers resist Satan with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph . 6:17) . The second edge of this sword is to cut away sin in a believers life . For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb . 4:12) .

As believers, we should judge ourselves by the Word . When Christ returns to judge, He will say nothing that He has not already said in His Word . If we judge ourselves, we will not be judged (1 Cor . 11:31) . Then His Word becomes a light to our paths and a lamp to our feet (Ps . 119:105) . However, those who hear the Word and do not obey it are building on the sand (Matt . 7:26) . Today, the Word is a light that shines on our path . Tomorrow, it will be a sword that flashes from the mouth of Christ to destroy all who disobey Him . Belong to a church that agrees with the Bible .46 The Word of God is given to correct and prevent false teachings in any church . Consider some of the teachings today that contradict the Word of God .

Figure 3.22 Ruins of the temple of Trajan at Pergamum

So she accepted the invitation . Grace did not enjoy the meal or the bosss company . It soon became clear that he wanted more from her than her work . He made requests that were against her faith . If she did not agree, it appeared that she would lose her job .

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

49

False teaching Believers should be baptized with a flag instead of water. Sprinkling babies instead of baptizing believers who understand Only allowing believers to take half of the Lords supper (That is, the bread, but not the cup)

A few conflicting Scriptures Matt. 3:13-16; Acts 8:36-39; 10:47

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 Eph. 2:1-10; Rom. 5:6-10; Heb. 9:27-28 1 Tim. 3:1-2; 4:3 Forbidding believers to be baptized in water and take all of the Lords supper There is a place called purgatory between heaven and hell. To reach heaven, people must first pay for their sins by suffering. The shepherd of a church should not marry. It is wrong to eat pork. Those who live in sin will go to heaven. Rom. 8:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rev. 21:8 Rom. 14:14, 20; 1 Cor. 8:8; 1 Tim. 4:3-4 Luke 1:47; Rom. 3:23 John 1:18; 14:9; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:19 Matt. 27:50; Acts 2:22-32 Matt. 24:23-31; 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Matt. 15:3, 6, 8-9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:16-21 Mary had no sin, and we should pray to her. Jesus was not God in the flesh. Jesus did not die on the cross. Jesus is already living on the earth. Tradition has the same authority as Scripture. Some books have authority equal to Scripture. Figure 3.23 False teachings that contradict the Bible What are some Jesus told some religious teachers that they erred because they did not know the Q 31 church teachings in your area Scriptures (Matt . 22:29) . It is better to be humble now and search the Scriptures like that contradict the Bible? those at Berea did (Acts 17:11) . Then the Word will be a lamp that helps us rather than a sword that destroys us .

Conclusion

It was wrong for believers to attend the feasts for idols and eat the food offered to them . But Jesus gave overcomers a promise about another feast . The Roman rulers had a custom of giving white stones to the poor and to victors at contests . These stones were an invitation to a special banquet . Likewise, Jesus promises to give overcomers hidden manna and an invitation to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev . 2:17; 19:9) . The white stone probably has a believers new, heavenly name on it .47
Lesson

Thyatira: The Church That Tolerated Jezebel (Rev. 2:18-29)

Goal: Identify and illustrate 3 attitudes toward evil.

Setting The fourth message from Jesus is to the church in *Thyatira . This was a small town about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Pergamum . It is interesting that Jesus sent the longest message to such a small town .48 It is not only the big cities that Jesus cares about . He loves the least as much as the greatest . Thyatira was well known for the bronze weapons it made . Therefore, Jesus revealed Himself to them as the king with strong feet like polished bronze (Rev . 2:18) . Thyatira was also famous for its purple cloth . Recall that Lydia, from Thyatira, was a dealer in purple cloth . The Lord opened her heart to the gospel when Paul preached in Phillipi (Acts 16:14-15) . She believed in Jesus and was baptized . Many think that the church in Thyatira started in her home . The purple dye in Thyatira was made from a root . People boiled it in Figure 3.24 Ruins of early Christian church in Thyatira water . Then they dipped the cloth into the purple solution . After a time, they

Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:35-38; 18:8

50

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Q 33 Who were the leaders of the three groups in Revelation who loved evil? Q 34 How did Jezebel influence believers at Thyatira? Q 35 What are the main reasons why sinners you know love evil?

Q 32 Do you recognize anything in which another church or religion is doing better than your church? Why?

removed the cloth that was now purple in color . In contrast, Jesus will return wearing a robe with its hem dipped in blood (Rev . 19:13, Isa . 63:1-3) . Ephesus and Thyatira could have learned from each other . Jesus praised Ephesus for her strong hate of evil (Rev . 2:6) . But Thyatira was weak in this area . The Lord rebuked Thyatira for tolerating Jezebel (Rev . 2:20) . On the other hand, Ephesus was weak in love, but Thyatira was strong in this area . The Lord praised Thyatira for her love . This strong love for Christ led to an increase in good deeds and service (Rev . 2:19) . The Greek word for service is diakonia. This service is through church leaders, deacons, and members . It includes helping needy believers, the lost, the poor, orphans, widows, and foreigners . At Thyatira, faith was strong and active every day of the week!49 Likewise, today, one church is often strong in an area that another is weak . Churches should learn from each other . Pastor Max Lucado pastors a Church of Christ . He says that he learned about compassion from the Catholics, about prayer from the Pentecostals, and about grace from the Baptists .50 Churches should be slower to criticize each other and quicker to learn from each other! To Thyatira alone, Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God (Rev . 2:18) . With eyes of fire He looked into the hearts and minds of believers there (Rev . 2:18, 23; compare with Dan . 10:6) . The Son of God did not like their attitude toward Jezebel . This is a good time to summarize what the first four messages teach about sin . Let us look at three attitudes that people can have toward evil .

A. Some love evil. John reveals three groups of people who love evil (Rev . 23) . The first group we meet follows Nicolas . These people are mentioned in the messages to Ephesus and Pergamum (Rev . 2:6, 15) . The Nicolaitans taught that it is good to feed the lusts of the flesh . The second group that loves evil is the followers of Balaam in Pergamum (Rev . 2:14) . These Balaamites liked to attend sinful parties . They ate food offered to idols and committed sexual sins (Rev . 2:14) . The third group that loves evil is in Thyatira . Here we discover the followers of Jezebel (Rev . 2:20-24) . In the Old Testament, Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, the most wicked king of Israel (1 Kings 16:33) . She was the daughter of a foreigner, the king of Sidon . This wicked woman opposed the true worship of God . She killed some of the Lords prophets (1 Kings 18:4, 13) . She wanted to root out the worship of God and put in the idol worship of Baal . The Jezebel in Thyatira also opposed God . She was killing Gods servants through her evil ways . Jezebels influence was seducing Gods servants to sin . Because of her teachings, believers were living like the children of the world . Jezebel was a popular woman in the church at Thyatira . She called herself a prophetess and claimed to know Satans deep secrets (Rev . 2:20, 24) . Perhaps she taught that we learn Satans secrets through sin . However, God does not want us to know more about Satans secrets or about sin . Paul desired believers to be wise about good things and innocent about evil things (Rom . 16:19) . He wanted us to get a degree in the school of good things . But He did not want us to pass the lowest grade in the school of evil things . Those who were spiritual should have judged Jezebels prophecies (1 Cor . 14:29) . Believers should reject any prophecies that contradict Scripture! But believers in Thyatira were accepting the prophecies of Jezebel . Why? Because her teachings appealed to the flesh! People choose evil for various reasons . Some choose evil because they like the company on the broad road . They love father, mother, sister, brother, or friends more than Jesus . These feel like it would be too lonely on the narrow road to heaven . They are not willing to be rejected by family or friends . Jesus said these are not worthy of Him (Matt . 10:37-38) . This group does

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

51

not realize that only he who loses his life finds it (Matt . 10:39) . Like Esau, they care only about the present (Gen . 25:29-34) . Others choose evil because of money. There were financial benefits for those who joined the guilds in places like Thyatira . There, choosing evil paid good wages . Likewise, people get money by lying, stealing, and even killing . Others gain by cheating employers, customers, or on their taxes . For many, money is a powerful reason to choose evil . Balaam is the leader of this group . He loved the wages of wickedness (2 Pet . 2:15; Jude 11) . Achan and Judas have many friends in this group (Josh . 7; John 12:6) . Some choose evil because of pleasure. Sin is exciting and fun, in the beginning . Sexual sins make the flesh feel good for a few minutes . Solomon knew this . Nicolas taught it . His followers fed the lusts of the flesh . Their saying was, If it feels good, do it! Moses refused to walk with sinners on this path . He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time (Heb . 11:25) . Others choose evil because they are lazy. Resisting sin requires effort (Matt . 25:26; Heb . 6:12) . Water runs easily down hill . Likewise, some follow the path that is the easiest . They will never own the treasures that come from sweat, hard work, selfdenial, and self-discipline . Some choose evil because they are rebels. These despise submission . They do not want Jesus or anyone else to tell them what to do . They want to be lord of their own lives . They want to have no limits on their freedom .52 Sadly, these children of Satan think they are choosing freedom (1 John 3:10) . However, they become the servants of pleasure (Titus 3:3), slaves of sin (John 8:34), captives of Satan (2 Tim . 2:26), and prisoners of their own lusts (Rom . 6:16) . In contrast, whomever the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)! Others, perhaps all of the above, choose sin because they are deceived. As Satan deceived Eve, he deceives the whole world (1 Tim . 2:14; Rev . 12:9) . Riches deceive some (Matt . 13:22; 1 Tim . 6:9) . False teachers deceive others (2 Tim . 3:13) . Even preachers deceive some by teaching that sin will not separate us from God . 9 Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor . 6:9-10; See also Rev . 21:8) . Finally, some are deceived by sin itself (Rom . 7:11; Heb . 3:13) . 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal . 6:7-9) . None of us chooses to become sinners . We are born sinners with a fleshly nature . Nevertheless, many choose to remain sinners, or to return to sin (John 3:19-21) . Everyone who does evil hates the light . And all who hate the light hate God, for God is light (1 John 1:5) . Those who love evil hate God . A stranger was amazed to see a group of pigs following a man . There was no one behind the pigs forcing them . Yet they were choosing to follow a man to the slaughter . The stranger asked the leader, What is your secret? Why do the pigs follow you to the place they will die? The leader smiled and showed the stranger a small bag of peanuts . Its easy to lead them, he said . I just drop a few peanuts in the dirt as I lead them to their death . They never look up to see where they are going . Likewise, those who

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

52

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

choose evil do not calculate the price . The wages of sin is death (Rom . 6:23) . Jesus is not happy with those who tolerate evil . Read Revelation 2:14-16 to see what He had against believers at Pergamum . Likewise, the Lord was not pleased when believers at Thyatira allowed sin .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 3.25 Ruins of main street in Thyatira (located in the modern city of Akhisar, Turkey)

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols (Rev . 2:20) .

Only a part of the church members at Pergamum and Thyatira followed Balaam, Nicolas, or Jezebel . But all were guilty of not taking action against these false teachings .53 It is not enough to refuse to sin . God expects believers to speak out against sin .

Eli was a priest who tolerated evil in the Lords house (1 Sam . 2:22-36) . His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests . Eli heard that they were stealing offerings and committing sexual acts with women in the temple . Eli rebuked his sons, but he did not remove them from office . God sent a prophet who asked Eli a question, Why do you honor your sons more than me? (1 Sam . 2:29) . The prophet also promised that God would judge Eli in three ways . First, no one from Elis family could ever be a priest again . Second, his two sons would die on the same day . Third, from that time forward, every member of his family would die young in the prime of life . There would never be an old man again in Elis family line (1 Sam . 2:30-34) . God honors those who honor Him . But He despises those who despise Him (1 Sam . 2:30) . Likewise, God was upset with believers at Pergamum and Thyatira . Why? Because they tolerated sin among Gods people . God is always angry with those who tolerate evil in His house . God was angry when the church at Corinth tolerated evil . A man in the church was committing sexual sins . Paul warned the Corinthians not to tolerate sin in the church . He told them to put this sinning believer out of the church and hand him over to Satan (1 Cor . 5:1-13) . Why? Because sin is like yeast: it spreads! Dont you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast (1 Cor . 5:6-7) .
6

Q 36 Why is God angry with those who tolerate evil in the church?

Give sin an inch and it will take a yard . If you allow one rotten potato to stay in a bag of potatoes, all will become rotten . One bad apple will spoil an entire barrel of apples . If a parent allows sin, it will spread to his children . The church obeyed Paul and expelled the sinning believer . Later, this sinning believer repented . Then Paul told them to welcome him back to the church (2 Cor . 2:5-11) . The believers at Corinth obeyed Paul . That is, they stopped tolerating evil in their midst . The sin in the evil man did not spread among other believers, like yeast in dough . Also, the sinner repented . God judges those who tolerate evil . But He blesses those who refuse to tolerate sin in the church . C. The righteous hate evil.

Q 37 What are some situations that could tempt a church leader to tolerate evil?

Q 38 What are some examples of things that believers should hate where you live?

The members at Pergamum and Thyatira tolerated evil (Rev . 2:14-15, 20) . But the Ephesians hated the evil that Pergamum and Thyatira loved . But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate (Rev . 2:6) . To love God, we must love what He loves and hate what He hates .

B. Others tolerate evil.

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

53

If a person turns a piece of candy over and over in his mouth, it shows he likes it . But if a person spits out something as soon as he tastes it, it shows he hates it (Rev . 3:16) . Likewise, if a person turns an evil thought over and over in his mind, it shows the person likes or loves the thought . If a person hates a thought, he will expel it from his mind . It is not a sin to be tempted by an evil thought . But it is a sin to meditate on evil (Matt . 5:28) . You cannot prevent a bird from flying over your head . But you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair . We should hate evil like we hate a snake, and flee from both . Believers should hate evil for at least six reasons . Q 39 What are 6 Evil thoughts are like links of a chain. One leads to another . Therefore, the righteous reasons why we should learn to take every thought captive (2 Cor . 10:5) . They bring every thought to Jesus hate evil? and make it kneel before Him . They rule over their thoughts as a rider rules a horse . They guide their thoughts as a rider guides a bicycle . One good thought leads to another . The thoughts we meditate on in private prove whether we love what God loves and hate what He hates . Hating evil is a key to being anointed by God. God anointed Jesus because Jesus loved good and hated evil . You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy (Heb . 1:9) . As we practice loving good and hating evil, the anointing or presence of God on us increases . Hating evil is a key to fellowship with God. Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (Amos 3:3) . To walk with God, we must agree to love what He loves and hate what He hates . God hates evil (Rev . 2:6) . He hates lying, stealing, cheating, gossip, over-eating, slander, murder, divorce, and sexual sins . If we love what God hates, we fellowship with Satan . God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) . If we walk in the light, we have fellowship with God and other believers (1 John 1:6-7) . Evil killed Christ and destroys people. Shall we love or tolerate the sins that killed our Savior? God forbid! Shall we love or tolerate the sins that divide families and drag people down to hell? NO! We will not love sin! We will not flirt with evil or allow it in our homes or churches! We refuse to read evil magazines and books or be entertained by evil . Sin is the devils bait. A fisherman uses bait to cover a hook . He seduces a fish to bite the hook . Then he takes the fish to the fire . Likewise, the devil uses various sinful things to seduce people . Blessed is the person who discerns that sin is the devils bait and hates it . Hate evil, love good (Amos 5:15) . Sin may cause the Lord to discipline a believer with sickness (Rev . 2:22-23; John 5:14; 1 Cor . 11:30; Ps . 119:67; Jonah 2) . Sometimes believers are sick when they have NOT sinned . Godly men like Epaphroditus, Trophimus, and Timothy suffered from sickness (Phil . 2:25-27; 2 Tim . 4:20; 1 Tim . 5:23) . These men were not sick because of sin (Compare John 9:1-3) . But when believers sin, Gods love requires Him to discipline them . Sometimes He uses sickness as a rod . Grace teaches us to say no to sin . Remember often what grace teaches about living a holy life as we wait for the Lord to return . Read Titus 2:11-14 . God searches the hearts and minds of His people . If you have loved or tolerated evil, repent . God forgives and cleanses those who repent (1 John 1:9) . Train yourself to hate evil . Then you will be ready when the Lord comes to rapture His Church that has neither stain nor wrinkle (Eph . 5:27) .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Figure 3.26 Fallen columns along the main street in Thyatira

54

Chapter 3

Revelation & Daniel

Test Yourself: Circle the letter by the best completion to each question or statement.
1. We believe the seven messages are for all believers because a) the seven churches were the only churches in Asia . b) John sent a different letter to each of the churches . c) God praises good and hates evil in all locations . d) all the above are true . 2. a) b) c) d) 3. a) b) c) d) 4. a) b) c) d) 5. a) b) c) d) Believers at Ephesus got an A for hate, but an F for love . lacked good deeds and good doctrine . accepted both good and bad apostles . needed a new revelation of truth . 6. a) b) c) d) 7. a) b) c) d) 8. a) b) c) d) Pergamum was referred to as Satans throne because there were several pagan temples there . the first martyr, Antipas, died there . the believers in Pergamum moved out of the city . Nero, Domitian, and Maximum lived there . The teaching of Balaam refers to sins related to sex and idols . sins related to pride and anger . sins related to money and wealth . sins related to fame and success .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

In Revelation, the word overcomers refers to a few believers who were more spiritual than others . all who wrestled in the Greek contests and won . only true believers or followers of Jesus . only those believers who were martyred for Christ . Believers at Smyrna were suffering because of sin . proud of their great knowledge . rebuked by the Lord . poor by the worlds standards . Which of the following churches was the most spiritual? Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira 9. Believers who followed Jezebel were most unlike believers at a) Ephesus . b) Smyrna . c) Pergamum . d) Thyatira . 10. God approves those who a) ignore evil . b) tolerate evil . c) hate evil . d) all of the above . To whom did Jesus promise a crown of life? Those who begin the race Those faithful to death Those killed by the second death Those who eat from the tree of life

Messages to the Seven ChurchesPart 1

55

Essay Test Topics: Write 50-100 words on each of these goals that you studied in this chapter.
Goal: Explain 3 reasons why we believe the seven messages are for all churches.

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

Goal: Analyze the praise, problem, solution, warning, and promise to Ephesus. Apply these to believers today.

Smyrna: The Church That Was Persecuted (Rev. 2:8-11)

Goal: Identify and apply 3 aspects of the condition of believers in Smyrna. Goal: Apply 3 things the Lord said to encourage believers in Smyrna.

Pergamum: The Church That Lived in Satans Capital City (Rev. 2:12-17)

Goal: Summarize 3 truths that the message to Pergamum teaches about churches.

Thyatira: The Church That Tolerated Jezebel (Rev. 2:18-29)

Goal: Identify and illustrate 3 attitudes toward evil.

Ephesus: The Church That Left Its First Love (Rev. 2:1-7)

The Plan of Salvation

1. Introduction: God is holy, good, and purecompletely righteous .

N w OT .F FA W a i I FO EB thA TH R VE nd & PR Ac AC IN R SI tio TI T O nS O N N er O ie N s LY .o r

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) . Our sins have separated us from God . Because we have sinneddone things that we know are wrongwe cannot fellowship with God . Our sins make us too dirty to come into Gods holy presence . As we cannot enter a clean room with muddy shoes, we cannot come into Gods presence with our sins . All have sinned (Rom . 3:23) . The wages for our sin is deathspiritual deathwhich is eternal separation from God . Those who reject Jesus will die in their sins . They will spend eternity tormented in the flames of hell, away from the presence of God .
2. The Problem:

God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to rescue us . His name is Jesus, which means Savior, because He will save us from our sins (Matt . 1:21) . Jesus, the Son of God, became a man and lived a perfect, sinless life . He died on the cross as our substituteHe took the penalty for our sins . Whoever believes in Jesussubmits his or her life to HimGod declares to be forgiven, clean, and righteous . Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6) .
3. The Solution:

4. Invitation: Repent of your sins; that is, turn away from what you know

is wrong . Put your trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God . Believe that He died to save you from your sins . Ask Him to forgive you and free you from being a slave to sin . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) .

Promise to seek to obey His teachings in the Bible . To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become Gods children (John 1:12) . Jesus says, Here I am! I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in (Rev . 3:20) . Invite Jesus into your life, and He will enter . He will lead you into fellowship with God . Be baptized in water, and become part of a local church that preaches and teaches the Bible .
Welcome Jesus into your life.

Faith & Action

is a Bible-based series designed to train pastors and lay people for service. These books are principle-centered, so they can be used in any nation. When completed, the series will consist of over 40 books. Sixteen of these will escort a person through the entire Bible. The other books will cover subjects related to Christian discipleship, maturity, and service. These texts will be translated into many languages for worldwide use. This easy-to-read series may be used in a variety of ways, including classroom settings, group, and personal Bible study.

The lesson format helps each learner focus on practical themes. Each lesson has goals, insights from Scripture, stories that touch the heart, and discussion questions. These enable learners to understand and apply biblical truths. There are brief tests for students who want to measure their progress. Much research has resulted in a wealth of photos, pictures, maps, and charts. Welcome to a series that will help you grow in grace and become all that you can be in Christ.

Revelation is important because it is the last book God inspired. It is His final word to us.
More than any other book in the New Testament, Revelation reveals Jesus. It gives about 70 descriptions of our Savior. It has 15 passages that give equal honor to the Father and the Son. The Gospels tell about Christs first coming. Revelation tells about His second coming as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. It unveils the ultimate victory of Christ over evil. Revelation is a hard book to study alone. Together, we will wrestle with it like Jacob wrestled with the angel. Then it will release its blessings to us. Step by step we will walk through Revelation. We will interpret Johns symbols through the eyes of the first readers. We will shine a light on the seals, trumpets, and bowls. We will explore the Rapture, Daniels 70 weeks, the Antichrist, and 666. We will investigate the Tribulation, Daniels visions, the harlot, the dragon, and Johns beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. We will examine Armageddon, the Second Coming, the Millennium, and the New Jerusalem. Best of all, we will discover the keys to being an overcomer and inheriting the promises of God.
Course # BIB3043 ISBN # 978-1-60382-006-6 Item # 4414-34E0