Revelation - Week 7

Day 1

To Rule the Nations

READ

Revelation 2:27-29

27 “They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.

28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! 29 Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Having told the faithful believers in Thyatira that Jesus would give them authority over all the nations, here they are told they will rule with an iron rod and destroy them. As the morning star appears before sunrise, some believe this is a reference to the rapture occurring before the return of Jesus to the earth. The appeal to Thyatira ends with urging everyone to listen and understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches.

REFLECT

Has this portion of Scripture encouraged you to see the authority believers in Jesus will have in the future and the need to honor Him now in daily living?

RESPOND

With your disciple, read Revelation 22:16 that refers to Jesus calling Himself the “bright and morning star.” Talk together about what you have learned from the message to the church at Thyatira.

Day 2

Letter to Sardis

READ

Revelation 3:1

1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.”

Sardis was about 30 miles southeast of Thyatira. The “sevenfold Spirit of God” is also mentioned in Revelation 1:4. It is likely a reference to all the aspects of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:2 is similar to this expression. The “seven stars” is defined in Revelation 1:20 as the angels (messengers) of the seven churches. Sardis was a wealthy city but was spiritually corrupt. Others thought they were alive but they were really spiritually dead.

REFLECT

Have you sometimes been deceived by appearances? Some may seem to be spiritually alive, but are they only going along with a Christian crowd?

RESPOND

Read 1 Samuel 16:6-13 to see from David’s life that the Lord looks at the heart more than the appearance.

Day 3

Wake Up

READ

Revelation 3:2-3

2 “Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.”

There was a little life left in the church in Sardis so the Lord urges them to strengthen what was left. The actions of believers there did not measure up to the standards of God. Similar to what was told the church of Ephesus, these people had seemed to have left their first love. If they didn’t change the direction in their lives, the Lord would unexpectedly come and bring judgment.

REFLECT

Again, think of your life. Have you been following Jesus for more than a year? If so, does your heart still burn with the same passion for Him and the Scriptures as it did when you first believed?

RESPOND

An accident or any cause of sudden death can snap a person into eternity. Use this realization in witnessing and ask if the person is ready for eternity when that time comes. Use ­­­2 Corinthians 6:2 to emphasize that “today is the day of salvation.” No one can be sure of tomorrow.

Day 4

They Are Mine

READ

Revelation 3:4-5

4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”

Commendation was given for the faithful yet in Sardis. The reference to walking with the Lord in white looks forward to Revelation 19:8 that says the fine linen clean and bright is the righteous acts of the saints. The names of these in Sardis will never be erased from the Book of Life. Those who believe in Jesus have everlasting (eternal) life. Jesus is pleased to announce before the heavenly Father and the angels that they are “mine.”

REFLECT

If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, think how pleased you can be that you are secure in His love. He is pleased to call you His own.

RESPOND

For verses that tell you and your friend about the security believers have in Jesus, see John 3:16; 5:24 and 10:28-29. Are you living in a way that shows thankfulness and that promotes God’s glory for what He has done for you?

Day 5

Listen and Understand

READ

Revelation 3:6

6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

As before, this message is given to all the churches: everyone needs to listen and understand what Jesus is saying to them. There are both items of commendation and warnings. Many are religious but relatively few are born again by believing in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Only those relying on a relationship with Jesus rather than on a religion or a church truly have security.

REFLECT

How is it with you? Hopefully you are thankful for the church you attend, but are you relying on it or the Lord Jesus to bring assurance of eternal life? Religion is man’s attempt to reach up to God; Christianity is God reaching down to mankind.

RESPOND

With your disciple, read again these six verses that tell about the message of Jesus to the church in Sardis. What lessons can be learned for today?