1. The Seven Churches of Asia

2. Jesus Speaks to the 7 Churches • I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” (Rev. 1:10-11)

3. Jesus Speaks to the 7 Churches • 2 received no rebukes  Smyrna, Philadelphia • 4 received commendations and rebukes  Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis • 1 received only rebukes  Laodicea • All were individual churches as signified by the 7 lampstands (1:20) • Each could have its lampstand removed signifying it was no longer a congregation of God’s people (2:5)

4. Some things common to all 7 • All recognized as “the church” • Jesus stood in the midst of them signifying that He knew them personally (1:13) • He stated to all 7 “I know your works” (2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) • Each individual church was to hear the message to all the churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) • Lesson: Jesus knows us in the same way. • Lesson: Nothing wrong with knowing what’s going on in other churches; either good or bad. • Lesson: We can wear the right name and be going in the wrong direction.

5. Some things Jesus knew • Jesus knew the churches • Ephesus stood for the truth, but had left their first love (1 Cor. 13:1-3; Mt. 22:37). • Smyrna was severely persecuted, but held firm (Matt. 5:11-12). • Pergamos had compromised with error and allowed false teachers to dwell in their midst (2 Jn. 9-11). • Thyatira allowed Jezebel to teach her false doctrine &cause some to fall (Eph. 5:11; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:6). • Sardis appeared alive, but was dead (Eph. 2:1-6). • Philadelphia persevered through trials (Jn. 15:18-20). • Laodicea was lukewarm (Heb. 6:10-12).

6. Some things Jesus knew • Jesus knew the individual Christians in each of the churches • Knew some members were faithful • Knew others were not faithful • Some so far gone he called them “dead” (2 Pet. 2:20) • Some in the midst of the “dead” had not defiled their garments (Jas. 1:27; 2 Cor. 5:10). • Some lukewarm, made him sick (Eph. 2:10) • Not too late for any to make needed corrections (2 Pet. 3:9)

7. What Does Jesus Know About Us? • As a church? • Zealously doing his will? • Enduring affliction? • Have we left our first love? • Are we lukewarm? Dead??? • As Individual Christians? • Do we have unstained garments? • Have we been seduced by Jezebel? • Willing to die for Christ like Antipas?