1. Ephesus: The Loveless Church Revelation 2:1-7 The church that had forsaken its first love.

2. Smyrna: The Persecuted Church Revelation 2:8-11 The church that would suffer persecution.

3. Pergamum: The Compromising Church Revelation 2: 12-17 The church that needed to repent.

4. Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Revelation 2:18-29 The church that had a false prophets, teachers, and doctrines.

5. The church at Thyatira represents a dark time when the church would become entrenched in sin and the world it embraced. This period included the bloody crusades and many inquisitions and went through a time of great suffering. They tolerated “Jezebel” who represented the evil and adulterous world. In essence, the church had married the world and divorced Christ.

6. 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce. My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

7. Matthew 7:15-16 There are many false prophets who pretend to be Christians guides, but whose real purpose is selfish and destructive. We must test those claiming to prophesy by their fruit, that is, by their life-style, character, teaching, and influence. *To find what “Fruit” means: Galatians 5:19-23*

8. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of theirdeeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

9. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.

10. 27‘ Heshall rule them with a rod of iron;They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels. I also have received from My Father. 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

11. Christ will give us himself (all of himself!) forever (v.28). –"The Morning Star!" *we should give all of ourselves to Him, as well* He is our souls’ eternal "morning star" (II Peter 1:19; Rev. 22:16). The day star which shall introduce us into the glorious day of eternal bliss is Christ himself! He is our glory. He is our crown. He is our heaven! (Psalm 73:25-26)

12. These five things are matters of constant concern and prayer to me. I *(God/Jesus) want(s) you* to... Love my brethren. Serve the cause of Christ. Be faithful to my God. Walk with patience before God and men. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

13. One of the things that the Lord finds offensive in the character of this church is that she tolerates evil teachers and their teaching. The church tolerated false teachers and false doctrines. They should have and so pagan practices like the worship of idols and sun, Sunday worship came into the church

14. Jezebel, a prophetess of Baal and a wicked woman who wanted full control.

15. Application: Ask God to give you a heart of diligence, that you may serve Christ faithfully. Ask him to give you a heart of discernment, that you may know truth from error. Ask the Lord to give you a heart of determination, that you may persevere in the faith of the gospel, firm unto the end (Colossians 1:19-23).

17. Verse to read: Matthew 6:24 and 2 Corinthians 13: 11-14Anything in white and in the middle of ** are additional notes/comments made during the lesson by Tim