#1 How would these words have encouraged &challenged those originally receiving them?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER…

#1 How would these words have encouraged &challenged those originally receiving them?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER…

#2 What encouragement & challengecan we draw from them in our context?

SIMILAR STRUCTURE IN EVERY LETTER1. Reminder of a description of Jesus2. Congratulations on what they’re doing well3. Warnings about what’s been going badly4. A solemn warning & promise relevant

for all the churches reading the scroll(including us!)

Model of The Temple of Artemis

Former Ephesus Amphitheater

IMAGINE…- A ghost town that once thrived, but is now desolate

ASK…- What would have gone on there when it thrived?- What could have happened to make it desolate?

IMAGINE…- The VINTAGE building (& family) no longer exists…

ASK…- What happened there when it was thriving?- What could have happened to erase it from the map?

Revelation 2:1-7“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:1-7But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolatians, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Revelation 22:1-3Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

(Smyrna)

Rendering of Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the First and the Last, who died and came to life. ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

Revelation 2:8-11Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’”

JOHN’S VIEWS on DEATH1. First death = physical death for the body2. Second death = death for the whole person

post resurrection & post-judgment

N.T. WRIGHT“…the ‘second death’ is the ultimate fate of those who steadfastly and deliberately refuse to follow Jesus…This ‘second death’ will, it seems, do for the entirepersonality what the ‘first death’ will do for the physical body.”

SOUL TRAINING EXERCISES

#1 – Putting Love Into Action Sign up to serve during Family Promise weekNovember 2 - 9

SOUL TRAINING EXERCISES

#1 – Putting Love Into Action Sign up to serve during Family Promise weekNovember 2 - 9

SOUL TRAINING EXERCISES

#2 – Praying For StrengthIntentionally pray for the strength & patienceto remain faithfully committed to Jesusno matter what circumstances you face this week