God Is Coming, pt. 4

In Terry’s continuing series, he took us through Revelation 3 and the last three churches. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Also included are some notes and links to Scriptures referenced. Be blessed!

God Is Coming, pt. 4

The Lord knows what’s going on in His churches – He walks in the midst of them.

1 Peter 4:17 – God only corrects those who belong to Him, whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6)

The things the Seven Churches of Revelation are working through here have parallels with churches/church ages throughout history, as well as today.

1. The Church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
   • v. 1 – attributes of Christ
     • Holds the “seven spirits/seven-fold spirit” (Isaiah 11:2) – the Holy Spirit
     • Hold the seven stars – angels (Revelation 1:20)
   • What They Were Doing Wrong (v. 1b)
     • Look good on the outside, but spiritually dead
   • Instruction to the Church (v. 2-4)
     • Wake up!
     • Strengthen the good things
     • Trust & obey
     • God gives a way back to Him (that’s His mercy, hope, & grace):
       • Remember
       • Hold fast
       • Repent
     • If you won’t turn back to Him:
       • Christ will come when you’re not ready (as a thief)
     • To those who have not gone astray:
       • They are found worthy to walk with Him
       • White clothes = clothed in the righteousness of God
   • Instruction to the Individual (v. 5)
     • If you overcome:
       • clothed in white
       • name will NOT be erased from the Book of Life
       • He will confess your name before the Father
         • If you are ashamed of Jesus, He’ll be ashamed of you before His Father (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26)
2. The Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)
   • v. 7 – attributes of Christ
     • Holy
     • True
     • holds the key of David (King of Israel)
     • what He opens/shuts:
       • God gives us opportunities & redirects us to His will, but we need to be in tune with the Spirit
   • What They Were Doing Right (v. 8)
     • No misdeeds
     • they are weakening, but God’s grace is sufficient
     • kept the Word
     • held onto His Name
   • Promises (v. 9–11a)
     • God will make sure that everyone knows that He loves His true Church.
     • Those who have kept His Word will be spared from the “hour of testing”
     • He is coming quickly!
   • Instruction to the Church (v. 11b)
     • Hold fast
       • be faithful to the end
   • Instruction to the Individual (v. 12)
     • He who overcomes/is victorious (many start the race, but not all finish)
       • will be a pillar in the temple of the Father in heaven
         • help hold up the Kingdom
       • will write on him the Name of God & the name of the city of God (the New Jerusalem – Rev. 21:2)
3. The Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)
   • v. 14 – attributes of Christ
     • the Amen
     • faithful
     • true witness of the Father
     • Creator/Sustainer
   • What They Were Doing Wrong (v. 15-17)
     • No good deeds!
     • they are lukewarm
       • need to make up your mind how you truly feel about God (get right with Him)
       • WARNING: stay lukewarm and He will spit you out!
     • they are spiritually unaware
       • think they are rich, but are poor
         • they are too comfortable/content in worldly things apart from the Lord
       • they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked
   • Instruction to the Church (v. 18-19)
     • buy from God
       • invest in Him
       • look to Him for everything, because He will sustain you
     • clothe yourselves in white
       • be right with God
     • see with spiritual eyes, not worldly eyes
   • Indictment of the Laodicean Church (v. 20)
     • Jesus is on the outside of this church.
       • They think they have it all together, but Jesus isn’t even a part of it. He’s standing at the door, waiting to be invited in.
   • Instruction to the Individual (v. 20b-21)
     • Listen!
       • If you hear His voice, open the door to Him.
     • If you repent and hold fast (He always gives us a road back):
       • you’ll have the right to sit with Jesus on His throne
   • v. 22 – Listen/hear the Spirit
     • His Spirit is preparing the Bride of Christ (the Church) for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
       • Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
       • He wants to bring clarity & purity to the Church