Westside Youth - the blog on the 7 churches I promised. (No one will read this) :)

    1. Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)
      1. City of 250,000
      2. Center of town was a humongous church for Diana (the greek goddess of hunting and fertility, as well as the moon).  (Insert joke here).    Every building in town as well as every coin they had had a palm leaf on it.  That was her symbol.
      3. They believed that she was born outside of town in a grove of palm trees.  They called the grove paradise and the tree “the tree of life.”  Sound familiar?
      4. Jesus introduces himself as the one who holds the seven stars.  He identifiies himself as the one with all the power.
      5. The Ephesian church had forgotten their first love.  Jesus tells them to repent, and turn back to their first love, then they will eat every day from the tree of life and be with him in real paradise.
    2. Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)
      1. Was located on a hill and had buildings around the peak.  People called it the crown of smyrna.
      2. The town was leveled by Alexander the Great and rebuilt.  Then it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt.  People called it the city that died twice.
      3. Jesus introduces himself as the first and last and the one who has come back to life.
      4. The church in Smyrna is getting destroyed.  Jesus tells them that it will get worse before it gets better.  The reign of Domitian was a sad time in the history of the church.  Never before and never after were Christians so persecuted.  Domitian killed Christians in sport.  He sought to destroy them so that all would worship him.  He hung Christians like lamps around his palace.
      5. Jesus tells them that I know things are tough.  I feel your pressure and your pain.  Then he tells them that they will not be hurt by the second death.
        1. For the Christian the first death is baptism.  It is being buried with Christ and then raised from the dead.  The second death takes us to Heaven.
        2. For the unsaved the first death is death from this world and the second death is eternity in hell.
      6. Jesus tells them that the second death will have no pain.
    3. Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)
      1. Pergamum was known as the city of the sword.  They were under Roman law.  Jesus introduces himself as the one who’s words are sharp double edged swords.
      2. In the center of town they had “The Throne of Zeus.”  It was 120 ft wide, 112 ft long, and 18ft tall.  They did animal sacrifices on it all day every day.  Jesus tells them to stop eating from the table of Satan.
      3. Then Jesus offers them the manna from heaven.  Stop eating the meat sacrificed to idols and eat the bread (the life) of Jesus.
      4. Don’t worry about the sword of satan, worry about the sword of JUDGEMENT.
      5. The word Parchment comes from the name of the town Pergamum.  They had so many books and ideas that they had become foolish to God and wise to the world.  Jesus says his words are like swords that will cut through the popular wisdom of the day.  We live there today.
    4. Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)
      1. Jesus introduces himself as the Son of God - Domitian told everyone to call him the son of god.  This is the only place in revelation Jesus calls himself that.  Comprimise can lead to death as well.
      2. Eyes are like burning fire and feet like glowing bronze.
      3. Jesus will never change and he is not ever leaving.  This world is his dominion.  He reigns and in the rest of Revelation we see how he will win.
      4. The poeple of the town are in bed with another woman.  Christ is a jealous lover.  He wants all or nothing.  They are worshipping him along with other gods.
      5. Jesus states that he will strike them dead and people will know who the true king is.
      6. He promises them the morning star.  The morning star comes up in the darkness and ushers in the morning.  The morning is coming.
    5. Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
      1. History holds that the city of Sardis was twice invaded by outside armies and the army of Sardis fell asleep on their wall.
      2. To them Jesus says “Wake up!”
      3. The church of Sardis is busy.  They feel like they are successful.  They have lots of programs and lots of people.  Things are busy and busy is always good.  Nope.  They believe that they are alive when in fact they are dead.
      4. Jesus introduces himself as the one who holds the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars of the churches.  If he will bring his hands together God will be with the church.  That should be our prayer.
    6. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)
      1. Wealthiest city.  They were destroyed in 61 by an earthquake and Rome said they would pay to fix it.  The people of Laodicea turned down the money.  That’s like New Orleans saying, “Nah, we got it.”
      2. Laodicea was known for high fashion and medical schools.
        1. 2 doctors from that town invented a medicine for the eyes
        2. There were sheep found there that had black and purple tinted wool.  They were the center for fashion.
      3. They were also known for two different natural springs that came to the city.  There was a cold water spring that flowed from Colosse to Laodicea and a boiling hot water spring that flowed from Heropolis.  They were pumped into town and by the time the water got there is a putred luke warm stinky water.  
      4. Jesus tells them some very funny things.
        1. Stop being lukewarm.  Either get on the boat or get off the boat.
        2. Cover your nakedness
        3. Open your eyes
        4. I rebuke and discipline those I love.  God working on your life?  That’s better than God giving up on you.  A throne is your reward.  Heaven is your reward.  Hell is without God.
    7. Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)
      1. Oh Philly!  Here we are.  The only church mentioned that is not giving a warning from Jesus.
      2. This one we will read
      3. Read Revelation 3:7-13
      4. His name will be written on a pillar.  If someone had served their city well they would be given a pillar with their name on it in a temple somewhere.  Kind of like “He was a pillar of society.”  Jesus gives us the promise that our names can be pillars on the new city.

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