Our Daily Scripture – 9/20/22

SCRIPTURE:  REVELATION 2

BIBLE VERSES:

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first.  If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” (Revelation 2:10)

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:  There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.  Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  Repent therefore!  Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16)

“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.  By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols” (Revelation 2:20)

TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS (vs. 1-7)

Words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

  1. Strength:  Good deeds, hard work and perseverance. You did not tolerate wicked men and false teachers. You had persevered and endured hardship for God’s name without weary. You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans.
  2. Weakness:  You have forsaken their first love.
  3. Remedy:  Repent and do things you did at first.
  4. Punishment:  Lampstand will be removed.

TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA (vs. 8-11)

Words of him who is the first and the last, who died and came to life again.

  1. Strength:  You are rich in spite of their affliction and poverty.
  2. Encouragement:  Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.
  3. Overcomer:  You will not be hurt by the second death.

TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM (vs. 12-17)

Words of him who has the sharp double edge sword:

  1. Strength:  You remain true to my name and did not remove your faith in me.
  2. Weakness:  You have people holding the teaching of Balaam – eating sacrifice foods to idols and committing sexual sins.  You have people holding the teachings of Nicolaitans.
  3. Remedy:  Repent
  4. Punishment:  I will come and fight you with the sword of my mouth.
  5. Overcomers:  I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will give you a white stone with a new name written in it known to him only.

TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA (vs. 18-29)

Words of the Son of God with eyes like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze:

  1. Strength:  I know your deeds, your love, your faith and your service and perseverance and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
  2. Weakness:  You tolerate the teachings of Jezebel, sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols.
  3. Remedy:  Repent
  4. Punishment:  I will make those who commit adultery suffer intensely.  I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
  5. Overcomers:  I will give you authority over the nations.  I will give you the morning star.

LESSONS:  (By Warren Wiersbe)

CHURCH IN EPHESUS (The Backsliding church)  –  Labor is no substitute for love.  Without true love for Christ, the light will no longer shine.  No amount of sacrifice or service will be able to make up for lack of love towards the Lord.  Do you love God now as before?

CHURCH IN SMYRNA (The Suffering Church)  Remain faithful to the Lord no matter what circumstances we are in because we know that He is in control and His promises are reliable.  It is better to be poor on earth but rich heaven.  It is more honorable to have God’s approval than men’s approval.

CHURCH IN PERGAMUM (The Worldly Church) –  Do not compromise or seek alliance and participate anything that could lead to immoral practices.  Do not tolerate sin by bowing to the pressure  to get worldly advantage.   Living the faith means intolerance to immorality and unconformity with the world.

CHURCH IN THYATIRA (The Unrepentant Church ) – Do not tolerate the teachings of Jezebel who promotes Baal worship, sexual pleasures, witchcraft, whoredom and eating food sacrificed to idols.  Instead seek to grow in love, faith and acts of service.  The Lord warned us against idolatry and immorality and encourage us to hold to the truth and be faithful till the end.