Rev. David Holwick
Study Notes
July 1991
Seven Letters to the Churches
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I. Background of letters.
A. Provenance.
1) Earlier compositions. Charles
a) But too short for real letters.
b) Close correspondence with opening and closing visions.
2) Written after John had vision.
B. Nature.
1) Similar to prophetic oracles. See Amos 1-2.
a) "These are the words" similar to "thus says the Lord."
1> In NT, only occurs in Acts 21:11 (Agabus).
2) Concluding generalization of each is addressed to all churches.
II. Letter to Ephesus.
A. City.
1) Great city commercially, politically and religiously.
2) Temple of Artemis.
3) Two temples for worship of emperor.
4) Church was probably the most influential at end of 1st cent.
B. Know works.
1) Works are the criterion of the genuineness of faith.
a) Toil of maintaining true faith.
2) "apostles who are not"
a) Gnostics, same as Nicolaitans.
1> Permissive religion.
2> Later writers referred to shared wives and possessions.
b) Moral cancer results from their doctrine.
1> They are told to combat heresy.
A> Later writers (Ignatius) confirmed this.
3) "abandoned first love"
a) Object of love.
1> God.
2> Man.
A> Context favors it. BM
3> Both.
A> Biblically tied together. BM
b) "If the price paid by the Ephesians for the preservation of true
Christianity was the loss of love, the prices was too high, for
Christianity without love is a peverted faith." BM
4) "remove your lampstand"
III. Letter to Sardis - church of mediocrity.
A. History.
1) Capital of ancient Lydian kingdom.
a) Rich but steadily declined.
1> Rebuilt after AD 17 earthquake.
b) Contrast of past splendor and present unresting decline."
2) Built on mountain, acropolis on impregnable spur.
a) Yet twice captured unawares by enemies.
b) (note church's lack of vigilance - 3:3)
3) Commercial center for woollen goods. (3:4-5)
B. Church.
1) seven spirits.
a) Contemporary Judaism emphasized two things about the
Spirit - it inspired prophecy and gave the breath of
life to the dead at the resurrection.
b) Sardis, the church in a living death, needs both.
2) your works...death.
a) Ephesus' works were approved, Sardis' are rejected.
1> They look good, but aren't.
b) Death - Primarily a matter of relation to the Lord by
the Spirit.
c) Works not perfect (=completed) in God's sight.
1> Approved works - see 2:19.
2> Sardis had vestige of these, but not in fullness.
3> Most of the people were soiled. Cf. 3:4
3) Awake! Remember...repent.
a) They must go back to their baptism.
b) Come like a thief.
1> Reflects parousia. See Matt 24:43f.
A> Some think 16:15 has been transposed here. Charles(BM)
2> Or, in line with other warnings, second coming language
is adapted to churches' present situation. BM
A> Jesus will come to visit them in judgement right
now.
4) Promise. 3:4
a) A few are not soiled.
b) They will walk with him in white.
1> Refers to presence with Jesus in his kingdom. see 3:5
2> Heavenly bodies of glory? 2 Cor 5:4 Charles
A> But doesn't tally with 19:8b.
3> Better to see holiness of believers in view. BM
c) Book of life. 3:5
1> Exod 32:32; Psalm 139:16 (predestination).
2> Christ can erase from book - election and redemption
are in and through Christ. We are always dependent
on the Lord. BM
3> "before my Father"
A> In Revelation, Jesus alone is seen as Son of the Father.
IV. Letter to Philadelphia.
V. Letter to Laodicea. (Beasley-Murray)
A. History of city.
1) At intersection of three imperial trade roads.
2) Wealthiest city in Phrygia.
a) Turned down help after devastating earthquake in AD 60-1.
3) Widespread reputation for:
a) Banks.
b) Linen and wool industry.
c) Medical school and medicine, especially eye ointment.
B. Church.
1) No commendation.
a) Severest condemnation.
b) Yet its promise is the climax of all.
2) Opening address (vision of Jesus).
a) Jesus is embodiment of truth of God. 3:14
b) "the Amen" - transference of divine title in Isaiah 65:16.
c) "beginning of God's creation".
1> Echoes Prov 8:22; cf. Col 1:15-20.
A> Letter to Colossians was probably exchanged in
area. Col. 4:16.
2> Not first of creatures, but prime source of creation.
3> Same meaning as "alpha."
A> Cf. Rev 22:13, "first & last, beginning & end."
3) Works.
a) No specific charge: they don't reject gospel, but affirm
it without joy.
b) "Hot or cold."
1> Cold = pagan. BM
2> Cold = useful.
4) "Spit out of mouth."
a) Six miles away were hot springs of Hierapolis.
1> Water lost heat and deposited limestone crusts on
nearby hills.
b) Alludes to condemnation, as in Matthew 7:23.
1> But condemnation not yet carried out.
A> Judgment is threat more than reality.
2> Rest of letter gives opportunity of repentance.
c) "I am rich."
1> Citation of Hosea 12:8.
2> The reality is spiritual poverty.
5) Exhortation.
a) Buy genuine, spiritual wealth.
1> Riches of faith? Lk 12:21; Jam 2:5; 1 Pet 1:7
2> "Purchase" points to exercise of faith, which
results in blessing by God.
A> Holiness is God's gift. Rev 7:14; 19:8
b) Loved ones are chastened. Cf. Prov 3:12
1> God's harshness flows from love.
A> Be zealous - continuous present.
B> Repent - a single act of turning.
c) "Open the door" Cf. John 14:2-3. Song 5:2?
1> Image of messianic fellowship banquet.
A> Frequent with Jesus.
2> Application:
A> Allusion to church's part in future kingdom?
(Swete)
B> Appeal to individual believers, here and now.
(BM)
6) Promise. 3:21
a) Sit on throne.
1> Wholly future. Rev 20:4ff; Mt 19:28, Lk 22:30,
1 Cor 6:2, 2 Tim 2:11f
2> Highest honor of all.
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