The book of Revelation has-much "figurative" language and we cannot take it all literally, therefore it requires careful study. It was written by the Apostle John from the Isle of Patmos about "things which must shortly come to pass" (Revelation 1:1). John writes the seven churches which were in Asia and reminds them that Jesus "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" making Christians "kings and priests" (Revelation 1:6-6). In addressing the seven churches, John sends praises to the church for their faith and good works, warning of things the churches are doing that are not pleasing to God. They are "Christ's churches" and not the denominational world as we see today but the "one body" of Christ who met at different cities (see Romans 16:16).

Church at Ephesus - John commends them for their "works" and "labor" and "patience" and points out their sins. They had "left their first love" (love and zeal for the Lord) and were told to repent and do the first works.

"To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Revelation 2:2-7).

 

Church at Smyrna - Again John commends their "works" and "tribulation" and "poverty" warning that the devil will cast some of them into prison and try their faith (Revelation 2:9-10).

"Be thou FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, and I will give thee a crown of life." God promises "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the SECOND DEATH (hell)" (Revelation 2:10-11).

 

Church in Pergamos - was commended for "good works" and warned about the false teaching of Balaam which was "eating things offered to idols" and "committing fornication" and were warned to repent (Revelation 2:13-16).

Church in Thyatira - were praised for "works, charity, service, faith and patience" (Revelation 2:18) but again false teachings were allowed in the church.

"Thou sufferest (allow) that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols" (Revelation 2:20).

 

Church in Sardis - The Bible says they were a "dying church" and were ready to die: for God had not found their works perfect. They were told to "strengthen the things which remain." A few had not defiled their garments and were worthy (Revelation 3:1-4).

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in WHITE RAIMENT. and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5).

 

Church in Philadelphia - Had a "little strength," and had "kept my word," and ha not "denied my name." Some say they are Jews (God's people) and are really not, meaning we must be God's people not only in name but service also (Revelation 3:7-9) and warned,

"Hold fast that which thou hast and no man TAKE THY CROWN"

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God... and I will write upon him a new name" (Revelation 3:11-12).

 

Church in Laodicea - praised for "works" but their works were neither "cold" nor "hot" but "lukewarm," distasteful to God - a half-hearted service - and God-said, "I will spew thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:14-16).

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, (rich young ruler attitude) and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked (spiritually)" (Revelation 3:17).

 

The churches are warned to repent and come back to God in service. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him ... and he with me." Jesus said "I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:20-21). The Bible assures us that those God loves he "chastens and rebukes." The word, overcome, means to continue-on-toward-perfection, putting sins behind us.

When Jesus returns he will bring those saints (Christians) with him who have died and gone on before us (I Thessalonians 4:14). The Bible tells us "blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death (hell) hath no power" (Revelation 20:6). The Christians now living will then rise and will meet the Lord in the air and go to be with him if they are faithful to God.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. "

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord "

"Wherefore comfort one another with these words (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

 

For some, the return of Christ will not be a happy day. You might say it's the day of "report cards" except there are no "make-up classes." The Christ who could have been their Saviour will now be their judge.

"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that KNOW NOT GOD and that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thessalonians 1:7-8).

 

It will be "everlasting life" for the faithful and shall be "everlasting destruction" outside the Lord's presence for others (II Thessalonians 1:9). Then the end will come and "He shall have delivered up his kingdom (church) and put down all rule and authority."

The Bible teaches there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body and we "have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (see I Corinthians 15:44-49). Being corruptible we will be changed to incorruptible bodies, God having raised us from the dead and given to us our bodies back vastly changed, but still a real body, making us complete body, soul, and spirit (see I Corinthians 15:51).

"In a moment, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

"For this corruptible must put on incorruptior4 and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

 

The Apostle John was given a view of the multitude around the throne of God in heaven. There were all nations and they were clothed in white robes because of the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:9-14). They served God "day and night" in his temple and God dwelt among them" (Revelation 7:15 & 4.11).

"They shall HUNGER NO MORE, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat "

"For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away ALL TEARS from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

All the discomforts we have felt in this life on earth will be gone. No more death, sorrows, or tears. We shall be satisfied with the "Living Waters" (Jesus), and have no inward cravings. Satan will not be there to "hinder us" or "torment us" or point an accusing finger. He is barred from heaven; his stay on earth was "but a short time;" he will go to his place (Revelation 12:12).

We who have added our names to the "Lamb's book of life" and faithfully served God will be going with Jesus. Jesus was the Lamb slain for our sins "from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). The Bible tells us the Lamb has a wife and there will be a marriage, the Lord's church (Revelation 21:9).

"...the MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB is come and his wife hath made herself ready."

"... blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the lamb" (Revelation 19:7-9).

When we obey God and become a Christian, we are part of Christ's body, his church, and God places our name in the "Book of the Lamb" and if we are "faithful unto death" we shall be in the resurrection of the just. The Apostle John says:

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12).

"And whosoever was NOT FOUND WRITTEN in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE" (Revelation 20:15).

 

1. God wrote the church at Smyrna saying, "Be thou faithful unto _______________ and I will give thee a _________________ of life" (Revelation 2:10).

2. While God doesn't expect perfection, he expects repentance and growth, telling the church at Ephesus "to him that _____________ will I give to eat of the tree of _____________ which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7)

3. The church at Sardis was told to keep on overcoming sin and God would not "______________________" their names from the "book of life" (Revelation 3:5).

4. Can we lose our crown of life by not keeping God's word or denying God's name? __________ (Revelation 3:8-11).

5. God will not accept half-hearted service such as the Laodiceans gave, and warns, because you are "______________" I will ____________________ thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-17).

6. We must ___________________ the gospel. If we will not let Christ be our saviour he will be our judge when he returns someday "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the ________________ of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thessalonians 1:7-8).

7. Christ's return will be sudden, without warning - no second chances but "in a _______________, in the ____________ of an eye" (I Corinthians 15:52-53).

8. God will help us to live the Christian life. "Be ye __________________, unmoveable, always abounding in the _________________ of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:57-58).

9. In heaven there shall be no more hunger or thirst nor heat or sorrow for "God shall wipe away all ____________ from their eyes" (Revelation 7:16-17).

10. As Christ's church, our faithfulness and God's mercy through Christ had made us ready to meet God with gladness. "The ________________ of the Lamb (Jesus) and his ____________________ (his church), those who were faithful, were ready (Revelation 19:7-9).

NAME__________________________ LESSON RECEIVED____________________

ADDRESS_______________________ LESSON RETURNED____________________

________________________________ GRADED BY____________ GRADE________

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