Revelation Study 7. Letters to Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev 3:7-22)

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For Thought and Discussion: What is the significance of the white clothes in 3:4-5? (See 6:11; 7:9,13.)
Purity
 
For Thought and Discussion: What Is Jesus' point in repeating "name" four times in 3:1-6?
"You have the reputation of being alive"
"Yet you have still a few names in Sardis"
"I will never blot his name out of the book of life" 
"I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels" 
 
The 'name' stands for the whole person. Despote the failure of the church as a whole, God knows His people as individuals, yet not as others kinow us. He takes delight in rewarding us.
 
For Further Study: What does It mean to be a true Jew (3:9)? See Romans 2:2-29
Those who obey the law of God in their hearts (2:29)
Those who are children of the promise (Rom 9:7), who share Abraham's faith.
 
13. What encouragements does Jesus offer in 3:7-13 to those suffering persecution?
"I know you"
"I have set before you opportunities no one can take away"
"I will make your opponents submit to you"
"I love you" (suffering does not mean Jesus does not love us) 
 "I will keep you from my wrath"
"I am coming soon"
"Hold fast to be assured of your reward"
 
14. Describe the Philadelphian church's character on page 45.
Having little power, and yet keeping God's word and not denying His name.
Patiently enduring 
  
Laodicea means "rule of the people" or "judgment of the people." 
For Thought and Discussion: What Is wrong with "rule of the people" In a church? Who should rule?
The ones who are appointeed in the system - whether a ruling pastor, a board of elders or the congregation.
 
In context, is 3:20 addressed to believers or unbelievers? What Is the meaning of the verse, in your own words? 
Beilevers in Laodicea.
Jesus waits to have fellowship/relationship with us who have closed the door to Him.
 
15. In a sense, the seven churches embody the seven conditions in which an individual or a church may find itself at any given time. We usually have traits of several of the churches simultaneously, but they are a good checklist. In your own words, summarize the character of each of the seven churches.  
 Ephesus: doctrinally correct but relationally unloving
Smyrna - suffering but faithful
Pergamum - witnessing but prone to teaching on moral compromise
Thyatira - loving but tolerating a false teacher
Sardis -dead except for a few individuals.
Philadelphia - weak in worldly terms but faithful
Laodicea - spiritually deceived
 
 
 

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