Studies In Revelation Archive

Why are we here? What is our chief purpose? We were created to worship God. That is our chief end, and that is our primary purpose. The shorter catechism acknowledges this reason for our existence with its very first question and answer: 'What is man's chief end? Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.' We were made for worship. There is a compulsion within every human being to worship something or someone. The truth is that if we don't worship God then we don't worship nothing we will worship anything.

The church in Laodicea seems to be doing quite well. It is comfortable, rich and influential. But shockingly, Jesus has nothing positive to say to that church. Without realising it, this church is spiritually poor and blind. Jesus invites the believers in Laodicea to open their hearts to him and pursue true lasting wealth in the kingdom of God.

There is no such thing as the perfect church but if ever a church came close it was the church in Philadelphia. The very name Philadelphia - “brotherly love” recalls that Christian quality which New Testament writers constantly urge upon their churches. The letter to the church in Philadelphia stands out among the letters to the seven churches. Why? Because what Jesus says here is all commendation, there is has no criticism of this church.

The church in Sardis is the fifth church to receive its letter. Compared to the others the church in Sardis does not seem to be experiencing the same sort of challenges and struggles. Instead they enjoy a good reputation on account of their deeds. But while its ministry may appear vibrant and alive on the outside, the Lord Jesus Christ sees it for what it really is: dead!

But there is still hope: a remnant remains alive and needs to be strengthened. They will be the ones to see the glory of God.

Jesus' letter to the church in Thyatira is the longest of the seven letters. Though the city of Thyatira was not as large or as important as Ephesus or Pergamum the problem identified in the church in Thyatira was of a matter of grave importance to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Ephesus false teaching had been exposed and rejected, in Pergamum false teaching was present but not endorsed. But in Thyatira false teaching was being tolerated - meaning that it had been accepted as a valid expression of the Christian faith. The Lord of the church however saw it as a cancer that had to be cut out.

This morning we come to think about the letter to the church in Pergamum, the most northerly of the 7 churches we will consider in this series.

This church is commended for continuing to stand firm in the face of persecution but is rebuked for allowing some within it to engage in heretical practices. The letter concludes with the promise of hidden manna and a white stone - we will discover what those would have meant to those who first read these words.

Today Charlie preaches on Revelation 2:8-11, a letter to the church in Smyrna.

Following John's mighty vision of the living, reigning and speaking Lord of the Church in chapter one we move in chapter two to the beginning of Jesus' letters to the seven churches of Asia.

The first verse of chapter two tells us, “These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.” It has already been revealed to us that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden lampstands are the seven churches. Where is the Lord Jesus? He is walking among the seven golden lampstands. The message is clear Jesus is active and present among His people and He knows the truth of every church's true spiritual condition.

Ask people what they think of the church and you will not be short of opinions. People both inside and outside the church will offer a wide range of views especially highlighting that they think is wrong with the church. What others think of the church is important but far the more important question is what Jesus thinks of the church - after it is His church - He is its founder, ruler and judge.