Lesson 238: THE BOOK OF REVELATION – PART 5

INTRODUCTION:
In the last part of this series, we saw the glorified Christ in full splendour with white hair and head, flaming eyes, strong feet, etc. Today, we wish to continue from what the Lord said to John as he fainted at the terrifying sight of His former friend and confident. May the Lord speak to us tonight in Jesus name. Amen.

1. “FEAR NOT” IS THE LANGUAGE OF CHRIST WHO LIVES ETERNALLY:

“Fear not” is the language of Christ as well as the language of love, since Christ has abolished death and because He lives, we shall live also. Meanwhile, we are expected top shine for Him in this world of Darkness.

Rev. 1:17-20; Matt. 14:26-17; Matt. 17:4-17; 1 john 4:18; Ps. 9:13; Ps. 107:18; Isa. 38:10; 11 Tim. 1:9-10; John 14:19; Dan. 10:12, 20, 21; Dan. 12:1. Matt. 5:14; ph. 2:15.

2. BEPHESUS WAS A NOTORIOUS TOWN, YET THE CHURCH THERE WAS VERY STRONG
Ephesus was an important city, financially, politically, and religiously. The temple of Diana, the patron goddess of prostitutes was there. Black magic and all sorts of crime and immorality thrived there. Yet the church there was strong having been taught or pastured by Paul, Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos and John the Beloved. The 1st letter was to this church.

Rev. 2:1-7; Acts 19:13-14; Acts 20:31; 1 Tim 1:3; Acts 18:19, 24, 26; Acts 20:17-38; John 10:28.

3. THE CHURCH WAS HARD WORKING AND DOCTRINALLY SOUND, BUT.
The Lord approves of hard work and he respects every Christians to be toilers for Him. He also expects to try every spirit, every prophet and every doctrine to see, that which is good which we are to told on to. The church at Ephesus passed in these regards. But.

1 Cor. 15:10, 15; Gal. 4:11; matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:21; 1Cor. 14:29; matt. 7:15-20; jer. 2:2-5.

4. THE JOURNEY BACK TO GOD OFTEN STARTS WITH REMEMBERING
Memory is the first step back to God for a backslider. Remembering how things used to be can lead to repentance and a rich reward indeed.

Luke 15:17; Luke 15:18; Luke 15:20; Gen. 2:9, 16:17; Gen. 3:22-24; Pro. 3:18; Pro. 11:30; Pro. 13:12.

5. THE KEY TO THE LETTERS
The letters to seven Churches were written to sample churches. Each letter was written to each church as unit, to the Church (Body of Christ) as a whole, to individuals in the churches and that implies to you and me. This is because God normally deals with individual except where he finds birds if the same feather teaming up as a group.

II Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 14:10; Eze. 22:30; Pro. 22:29; Rev. 2:29; Rev. 2:7; Rev. 3:20; Mark 13:37; 11 kings 2:3, 5,7; Num. 14:37-38; Dan. 3:12.