Most Bible students have considered the churches of Asia Minor listed in Revelation 2 and 3. In this lesson consider those churches from the perspective of Christian responsibility. Each is an illustration of Christian responsibility and accountability.
The image is of lampstands. At the time of writing, candles did not exist. Stands allowed their small oil burning lamps [remember there was no kerosene] to be elevated and give maximum useful light. By today's standards, these lamps provided inferior light. However, compared to pitch black, their light blessed and was helpful. The word picture is of a royal personage standing among the lampstands. He can remove a lampstands. If a lampstand is removed, the room darkens. If a congregation has its lampstand removed, they contribute to the darkness rather than the light.
The church in Ephesus:
They have numerous positive qualities:
(1) They were an active, working congregation--deeds and toil.
(2) They were a steadfast or persevering congregation--they would not endure evil people.
(3) They tested those who claimed leadership, and rejected false leadership.
(4) They did not get tired of enduring for Jesus' name sake.
(5) They refused to be influenced by false teachers known as the Nicolaitans.
They also had some problems:
(1) They left their original love for God.
(2) They had fallen from their first deeds that expressed love.
Responsibility: repent, and return to love as your motivation. If you refuse to repent, your lampstand will be removed.
The church in Smyrna:
Their positive quality:
(1) In spite of major discouragement, they remained rich.
Their encouragement:
(1) Do not allow suffering to prevent you from receiving your reward.
The church in Pergamum:
Their positive quality:
(1) They were not ashamed to belong to Jesus Christ in hostile, discouraging circumstances.
Their problems:
(1) Some of them were stumbling blocks.
(2) Some followed the influence and teachings of the Nicolaitans.
If the situation was not addressed and corrected, Jesus would make war with those two groups.
The church in Thyatira:
Their positive qualities:
(1) They were a congregation of love, faith, service, and endurance.
(2) Their last deeds were greater than their first deeds.
Their problem:
(1) They allowed evil influences in the teachings of a specific person to lead Christians away
from God into immoral practices.
If those Christians who influenced others to practice immorality did not repent, they would endure dire consequences. Those who did not engage in immoral practices were urged to 'hold fast.'
The church in Sardis:
No good qualities were listed.
(1) They pretended to be godly, but were not.
(2) They completed nothing they started.
(3) Some good they started was on the verge of dying.
They needed to repent. However, there were a few who lived righteously and refused to practice evil. They were commended.
The church in Philadelphia:
Good qualities:
(1) Despite having little power, they kept Jesus' word and did not deny his name.
(2) Jesus would 'keep them' in the coming time of testing.
No bad qualities were given. Encouragement was given.
(1) Jesus would force their enemies to realize he loved them.
(2) He would bless them if they continued to overcome.
To the church in Laodicea:
No good qualities were given. They were self-deceived about being godly people. They needed to see themselves for who they were and come to Jesus.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 11