READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Unlike good work that secular charities do in terms of outreach, our discipleship in society is anchored on the hope of Christ’s return. Revelation is a pastoral document written to people of God who were pressurised to compromise and needed encouragement to be faithful disciples in the midst of sweeping political and cultural changes, just like us today.
How do we read Revelation?
Five key ways (Darrell Johnson)
1) Honour the title – Revelation is singular not plural. The focus is on one person, Jesus Christ. It is a revelation of Christ, by Christ, about Christ.
2) Recognise the genre – it is apocalyptic prophecy, with letters to the 7 churches. Apocalypse comes from the Greek word that means unveiling or revealing the reality of what is happening. It is prophetic as it foretells the future and forth tell the issues and challenges that are taking place. Revelation offers hope in the unseen reality of Christ’s coming(future) and encouragement in the unseen reality that we have the crucified, risen and reigning Christ with us (present).
3) Appreciate John’s experience – “I saw” is repeated 25 times in the book. John sees a living drama with Jesus as the main character in many acts, scenes and changes of costumes, light and sound effects. John was not interpreting but describing what he saw. Jesus uses many Old Testament quotes and allusions e.g. wings of eagles (chapter 12) allude to God redeeming His people in Exodus.
4) Keep the Structure – Revelation is not to be read chronologically. There are 8 scenes which are repeated themes with added information (like flashbacks in Korean dramas) with change in perspective and surprising twists in the plot.
5) Fall in Worship – Read Revelation with a view to worship and not get caught up in details. The aim is to end up at the feet of Jesus with fresh worship offered to Him.
Chapters 1-3 contain 7 letters to 7 churches. They were written in AD 96 when John was on exile in Patmos. During the reign of Emperor Domitian, he demanded that his subjects worship him as Lord and God. About 40,000 Christians including some apostles who did not were killed. God encouraged John in Chap 1:9-20 and instructed him to send a message to the 7 churches. Seven is the number for completeness and represent all churches present and future.
Broad structure of the letter – Youth Ministry curriculum team has put together a table on the structure (see below).
Two main points
1. The Reality that humbles
Compromise
a) Outward piety with no inward devotion
The church in Ephesus had perseverance, zeal, good work, endured suffering and rejected false teaching but had forsaken their first love for God. We may do all things right but lose our intimacy with God or desire to be with Him through attentiveness to Him. Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon identified 3 signs of losing our first love – loss of joy (because love for God has grown cold), loss of love for others (critical, judgmental, hypersensitive, without compassion) and loss of Christ-centredness (but instead overly self-centred) This can happen gradually and quietly. Have we lost the love we had for God at first?
b) Permissiveness and tolerance
Pergamum was the seat of power and centre of pagan worship where Satan was enthroned. The church did not deny Jesus outright but tolerated the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans by permitting idolatry and sexual immorality. They permitted teachings like “Why not? Everyone is doing it?”, “God’s grace will cover you”, “your sins will be forgiven anyway”. The church in Thyatira had many trade associations and idol feasts. They tolerated the teachings of a woman named Jezebel and worshipped God alongside Baal, participated in trade associations while being Christians, in effect committing spiritual adultery, allowing values of the world to co-exist with values of God and compartmentalising life to allow God only parts.
c) Complacency and lethargy
The church in Sardis is called out for being externally alive but dying inside, with unfinished business due to lethargy. Jesus calls them to wake up. Built on a mountain, they believed they were invincible in ancient days but Sardis fell 2 times because intruders managed to get in and opened the gate. If we are complacent, we cannot assume that all will remain well in our church. May we not be found sleeping when Jesus returns.
d) Self dependent arrogance
The church in Laodicea is likened to lukewarm water which tastes so bad that it should be spat out. With no zeal, conviction or passion, they are like lukewarm water which does not serve its purpose (as church), unlike hot water that heals and cold water that refreshes. Though richly endowed as financial centre, eye and medical centre and fashion centre, Jesus calls them poor, naked and blind. They thought they were rich and did not need anything.
Do we recognise our spiritual poverty?
Against this dismal picture, Jesus says there is hope if we repent, redo the things that bring us close to Jesus and remain steadfast in His purpose. Jesus also promises rewards.
2. Rewards that matter
1. Eternity with God
– Eat from tree of life (2:7), no second death (2:11), name in book of life (3:5). We press on to run to finish the race, not come in first.
2. Spiritual satisfaction, honouring friendship (with God)
Jesus will feed us with hidden manna (2:17) so we may prevail and overcome. He will be our friend now, our companion on this journey.
3. Assuring comfort, persevering strength
He will give us the morning star (2:28) which comes when the night is darkest, but we know dawn will come.
Jesus will come again. He does not come from far. He is as near as the door to our hearts (Rev 3:20). Jesus is knocking, He wants to come in to eat with us (eat is evening meal signifying intimacy, close relationship). Will you open the door of your hearts? Do you open only some and keep others closed e.g. career, forgiveness? May God give us grace to open the door of our hearts that we may be faithful servants who cling on to the unshakeable hope that Christ is with us.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
Recommended books for further study:
Message of Revelation by Michael Wilcock
Discipleship on the Edge by Darrell Johnson
Seven Churches (Rev 2-3)
| Church | Affirmations | Rebuke | Instructions | Consequences |
| Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) | Hard work and perseverance (v2, 3) Endured hardship for the sake of Christ (v3) Not tolerated wicked people and false apostles (v2) They hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (v6) (the teachings of the Nicolaitans were believed to have been similar to the that of Balaam – ate food for idols and committed sexual immorality) | Forsaken the love they once had (v4) | Reflect on how far they have fallen (v5) Repent and do the things they did at first (v6) Hear this message (v7) | Jesus will remove their lampstand (v5) -> no longer be a church (Rev 1:20 the seven churches are the seven lampstands) Right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (v7) |
| Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) | Spiritually rich despite their material poverty (v9) Acknowledges their afflictions and their suffering under those who say they are Jews but are not (v9) | – | Do not be afraid of the suffering that will come and remain faithful despite the persecution (v10) Hear this message (v11) | Those who endure will be victorious and will be safe from death (v11) |
| Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) | Remained faithful despite Satan’s presence & despite the martyring of Antipas (v13) | Some are holding to the teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans (v14-15) | Repent (16) Hear this message (v17) | Judgment (‘sword of my mouth’) to those who do not repent (v16) Those who hear and obey will be rewarded (with eternal life) (v17) |
| Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) | Love and faith, service and perseverance, doing more than before (v19) | Some tolerate Jezebel; tolerating and participating in sin (v20) | Repent of their ways (v22) Remain faithful and hold on until Jesus returns (v25) Hear this message (v29) | Jezebel and those who commit adultery with her will suffer and die (v22-23) Those who remain faithful will get to rule over the nations with Jesus (v26-28) |
| Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) | Some people in Sardis have remained pure / righteous / worthy (v4) | Spiritually dead / apathetic (v1) Unfinished deeds (v2) | Wake up, strengthen what remains and finish their unfinished deeds (v2) Be steadfast, holding onto Jesus’ teachings and repent; listen and obey (v3) Hear this message (v6) | Those who do not wake up will be judged (v3) Those who are victorious (‘dressed in white’) will be with Jesus forever (v4-5) |
| Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) | Remained faithful despite being weak; faithful throughout persecution from jews (v8-9) Obeyed and remained faithful (v10) | – | Jesus is coming, continue to endure (v11) Assurance that enduring is possible (‘open door that no one can shut’) despite their weakness (8) Hear this message (v13) | Eternal life with Jesus in the new creation (v12) Because they have endured patiently, they will not have to go through the hour of trial (v10) |
| Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22) | – | Lukewarm; apathetic (v15) Materially rich but spiritually poor; they do not realise that they are ‘wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (v17) | Recognise their spiritual poverty and go to Jesus for spiritual sight and refining (v18) Be earnest and repent because Jesus rebukes and disciplines out of love (v19) Hear this message (v22) | Those who listen and repent will be with Jesus on His throne (v20-21) |
This resource was thoughtfully prepared and graciously shared by the Youth Ministry’s Curriculum Team. Special thanks to them for this insightful summary of the 7 Churches in Revelation.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
- Read Revelation 1-3. What stands out to you?
- Recall Sermon
- How can we lose our first love for God? What can we do to return to this original love for God? Think of specific steps.
- How can tolerance and permissiveness lead us into deep spiritual decline?
- Why did the church in Laodicea assume that it had all it needed? How can we falsely depend on our wealth, health and attractiveness and not recognise our need for Christ?
- Reflect on the spiritual condition of Wesley, what would Jesus say to us?
- Which of the rewards outlined in the sermon really resonated with you? Why do you need that in this season of your discipleship?
- Relate Personally
- What about the message that really spoke to you?
- What is one discipleship lesson you have gleaned from the message?
- Commit to Action
- In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
- What steps will you take this week to apply the lessons learned from the sermon?
