Have you seen yourself in these seven churches? Do you see where you need to persevere in doing good and what you need to change so you can be one who overcomes?
For those like the church at Ephesus, overcoming means to return to your first love for Jesus, until the end of your life! We are to exhibit Christian love to God and to others. We are to intimately know the love of God and to be a faithful witness of God's love. We must not be so busy that we miss out on intimacy with God.
If you see yourself in church of Smyrna, overcoming means to be faithful in persecution, even to death. Know that the suffering in your life has great purpose; it is a testing of your faith to bring you to maturity in Christ.
Overcoming for those like the church of Pergamum means to resist immorality and idolatry for the rest of our lives. We must guard the Word of God. We must know the Word of God and live by it.
Those like Thyatira must overcome by resisting immorality and idolatry for the rest of our lives. We must be a light to the world, and not blend in to the darkness. We must expose the deeds of darkness.
If you see yourself in the church of Sardis, overcoming means to be watchful and develop a strong prayer life; and to hold fast the things that God has entrusted us. We must be careful
to keep ourselves separate from the world.
Those like the church of Philadelphia might think they are overcomers already. But in order to overcome, we must persevere in mature obedience for the rest of our lives. We must take on the character of God, and hold fast to God's faithfulness. Philadelphia was known for its healing waters, so you too must be living water to those around you.
The church in America is so like the church in Laodicea. They must overcome their lukewarmness. They must see that God has what they need, and that He has the true riches we seek. Laodicea was known for their eye salve, even though they were blind to the truth. May we overcome and see the truth clearly. Repent. Know that those God reproves He loves! If you repent and become overcomers, you will be clothed in purity and righteousness.
1. We will fill in the third column in our charts today. Write down what is promised to those who overcome.
2. For the church at Ephesus, what does the tree of life in the Paradise of God signify?
Read the following verses and record your observations.
- Genesis 3:22
- Proverbs 3:18
- Proverbs 13:12
- Revelation 22:2
3. For the church at Smyrna, read James 1 :12 and write down who gets the crown of life.
4. The church at Pergamum had great mixture of false teachings and truth. If they overcame, they were promised hidden manna, the revealed truth of the Word of God. Read Psalm 19:7-8, 11 and write down the benefits of knowing the Word of God.
The church of Pergamum was also promised a white stone with their new name written on it. A white stone was given to those as an invitation to a special feast.
5. Overcomers in the church of Thyatira wre promised to rule the nations with justice, and given the bright morning star. Read Revelation 2:16 and write down who is the bright morning star.
6. The church of Sardis was promised to be clothed in white garments. What is the benefit of having white garments in Revelation 3:4?
7. What is the meaning of not having your name erased from the book of life?
8. The church of Philadelphia was known for its love and faithfulness to God, and they were promised to be pillars in God's temple. What do you think the significance of that is?
9. The church of Laodicea was promised to sit down with Jesus on His throne, as He also Overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne. Read Matthew 19:28-29 and record what this promise means.
We are to overcome worldly unbelief and unfaithfulness.
- We overcome unbelief when we are born again.
- We overcome unfaithfulness after we continue in obedience until the end of our life!
Posts
