Dear Church: A Study on Revelation 2-3

The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22)

August 20, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:14–22

Dear Church / The Lukewarm Church August 20, 2023 Revelation 3:14-22 Study Questions   1. Reviewing the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3, what is distinctive about this letter to Laodicea?    2. What does the Lord Jesus emphasize by the description of Himself given in verse 14? (See also Revelation 1:5; Isaiah 65:16; Colossians 1:18.)   3. When do you want a hot drink? When do you want a cold drink? When do you want a lukewarm drink? Read Revelation 3:15-16. Given the understanding of Laodicea’s lack of hot or cold water (compared to the hot springs of Hierapolis and the cold springs of Colossae), what message was the Lord Jesus communicating to the church? Give examples of what a ‘lukewarm’ church looks like? Describe a ‘lukewarm Christian’?   4. According to Revelation 3:17, identify the three things which the Laodiceans thought they had no need of. What things today in our culture give us as Christians a false sense of security? What might Jesus say we need from Him today?    5. Read Revelation 3:18. What is the significance of the gold, white garments, and eye salve that Jesus offers to those who follow Him? (See also 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 7:14; Ephesians 1:18.)   6. The Lord Jesus said, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline…” (verse 19). What does loving discipline look like in the church, and in the life of a Christ-follower? What is its purpose? (See John 15:2-4; Hebrews 12:10-11.)   7. Read verse 20 of Revelation 3 and identify the promises Jesus makes to this church. Is there comfort in these words for us? What is that comfort?    8. In studying the messages to the seven churches of Revelation, what one truth has stood out to you the most? What will you take away and practice or treasure in your personal life?   

The Faithful Church (Revelation 3:7-13)

August 13, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:7–13

Dear Church / The Faithful Church August 13, 2023 Revelation 3:7-13 Study Questions 1. What word(s) would you use to describe ‘church’? Define, in your own words, what makes up a healthy church? Why? See also: Acts 2:41-47. 2. Read Revelation 3:7-8. Describe the attributes given the Lord Jesus. What is their significance? How do these attributes impact your trust in Him? 3. Read Revelation 3:8-9. How did the Lord Jesus express His relationship with the church in Philadelphia? What did they do that honored the Lord Jesus? 4. Read Revelation 3:10-11. What is the ‘hour of testing’? What did the Lord Jesus promise His church? How is this comforting to you? See also: 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 3:3-4,10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;5:1-11; Luke 21:36. 5. According to Revelation 3:12-13, what promise(s) does the Lord Jesus make to His church? Why? What hope do you find in these promises? 6. From this study, describe what you think a healthy member looked like in the church in Philadelphia? How are these qualities evident in your participation in your church? What areas/issues do you need to surrender over to the Lord Jesus in order to be a healthy and faithful member of His church?

The Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-6)

August 6, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:1–6

Dear Church / “The Dead Church” August 6, 2023 Revelation 3:1-6 Study Questions     According to verse 1 of Revelation 3, what is the significance of the seven Spirits of God? (See also Zechariah 4:6-10; Isaiah 11:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:25-26.)   Jesus addressed the church in Sardis with a warning. How does a church appear to be, or have a reputation of, being alive when actually it is dying or dead? Why? What are some warning signs that a person is beginning to wither spiritually? Have you experienced these? If so, what was it like? How did you wake up from a season of faith apathy?   Read Revelation 3:2-3. What are the three things that Jesus calls the church to do? What do these look like in your life?   Read Revelation 3:4-6. What encouragement do you find from Jesus’ words to the faithful remnant in the church? What does it mean that they did not ‘soil their garments’? Why is that so important to the Lord?   What promises do you find in this message to the church of Sardis? What do they mean to you?

The Sleeping Church (Revelation 3:1-6)

July 30, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:1–6

Dear Church / The Tolerance of Thyatira July 23, 2023 Revelation 2:18-29 Study Questions 1. Read Revelation 2:18-29. In verse 18, Jesus calls himself the Son of God. What is this significance of this title? (See also Matthew 3:17; Luke 1:35, 3:38, 8:28, Hebrews 1:8.) What security and joy do you find in Jesus being identified as the Son of God? Why did He address himself this way to the church in Thyatira? 2. Read vs.19 and identify the different ways Jesus commends the church in Thyatira. What does that say to you about what a healthy church looks like today? What does that look like in your church? 3. Read 1 Kings 21 and share what you see in Jezebel that makes her ways wicked. Are there any Jezebels in the name of ‘the church’ alive today? What are some teachings today that are misleading the church from biblical truth? 4. Define tolerance. Why is today’s culture calling Christians intolerant? How can Christians hold biblical convictions and still love their neighbors as commanded by the Lord Jesus? According to this warning from the Lord Jesus, when should the Church be tolerant and when should the Church be intolerant? 5. The Lord Jesus was clear on the devastating consequences of the false teacher(s) in the church of Thyatira and those who follow her. Why is it such a big deal to God? (See also Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 57:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Hebrews 12:14.) 6. Read verses 26-28. Jesus tells us about rewards for those who obey and continue to pursue Him. Identify and discuss the rewards to those Christians who persevere. How does this encourage you? 7. What is your greatest takeaway from this study? Additional questions for this week: 1. Discuss the following passages and how we as believers need to guard ourselves: 1 Timothy 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 5:10-13. 2. According to Revelation 2:25-26, what are the charges Jesus Christ gives His church? What does that look like in your life as a Christ-follower?

The Tolerating Church (Revelation 2:18-29)

July 23, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 2:18–29

Pergamum: The Compromised Church (Revelation 2:12-17)

July 16, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 2:12–17

Dear Church / “Pergamum: The Compromised Church” July 16, 2023 Revelation 2:12-17 Study Questions   Read Jesus’ letter to the church in Pergamum found in Revelation 2:12-17. What part of this letter stands out to you the most?  According to verse 12, what is the two-edged sword and who has it? Why is this significant? (See also Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:16.) According to verse 13, what did the Lord Jesus commend the church for doing? What does it mean to hold fast His name... even in difficult situations? What does ‘holding fast to His name’ look like in your life? See also 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Hebrews 3:6; 4:14-16. What was ‘Satan’s throne’ in Pergamum? What would you define as ‘Satan’s throne’ in our culture today in America? In this letter Jesus calls out 3 areas in which the church in Pergamum was being influenced by the culture. Identify those areas the Lord Jesus had/has against the Church, both in history and in your lifetime. What are some harmful ways that you see Christians today influenced by culture more than culture being influenced by the church?  Why does Balaam get a mention in this letter and what were his teachings that corrupted both Israel and the church? (See also 2 Peter 2:14-16; Jude 1:11.) What is the warning the Lord Jesus gives the church? What is He calling us to do? What has Satan used in our culture that has tempted you, causing you to compromise your devotion to the Lord Jesus? (See also 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 2:15-17.) According to Revelation 2:17, what is the hidden manna that is promised to those who overcome this world in Christ? (See John 6:48-51) Similarly, what is the white stone promised to true believers and the new name to be given? (See Isaiah 62:2; Revelation 19:11-13.) What hope does this bring you?  How does this message to the church of Pergamum help you make choices this week that will keep your heart from being compromised by choosing the things of this world over your obedience and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Tried, Tested, and True (Revelation 2:8-11)

July 9, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 2:8–11

The Church of Smyrna: “Tried, Tested, and True” July 9, 2023 Revelation 2:8-11 Study Questions 1. Read Revelation 2:8-11. What does the Lord Jesus inform the church that He knows about their present condition? 2. What is the church about to face in the imminent future – specifically, from those on the outside and those from within the church body. 3. What is the purpose of this trying time for believers? What trials do you hear of / see today that are a result of a person or people choosing to live out their faith in Jesus? 4. In light of this, what command does the Lord Jesus give His church? What does that mean to you? 5. What promise does the Lord Jesus give true believers? Does this encourage you? Why/why not? 6. How does the fact that Jesus knows your struggles as a believer help you persevere in times of trials and confusion? 7. Look up the following passages and discuss how they bring comfort and strength as you follow the Lord Jesus: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Proverbs 3:4-6; Philippians 4:12-13; Proverbs 24:10; 1 Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:1-6; Romans 8:28; Joshua 1:9-10. Which passages do you turn to for comfort and strength?

Rekindling Your First Love (Revelation 2:1-7)

July 2, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 2:1–7

Dear Church: “Rekindling Your First Love” July 2, 2023 Revelation 2:1-7 Study questions   Identify reasons that cause someone to compromise their love for the Lord Jesus.  Read Revelation 2:1-7. Discuss the positives that Jesus acknowledged the church of Ephesus was doing right. Why did He mention these?  In light of this passage, is it possible to do all the right things for God and yet not love Him? Why/why not? What is the warning Jesus gives to His Church? How can the Christian life become more mundane than exciting? What are some warning signs that we as believers should look out for so that we don’t lose our first love for Jesus? Which do you struggle with the most? Identify ways to rekindle your love for someone precious to you (spouse, child, parents, friend). How are these ways similar to pursuing your love for the Lord Jesus? What can you address or put into practice this week that will increase your love and affection for the Lord Jesus? In Revelation 2:7, Jesus speaks to those who ‘overcome’ in this world. What is His love promise to them? Do you look forward to that? Why/why not?