ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor, Walter Contreras and Christopher Lucey)

THE BOOK OF REVELATION -

INTRODUCTION

Never feel overwhelmed by the Book of Revelation. It's the only book in the Scriptures where God promises a blessing to those who read, hear and obey the words written in this final book of the Bible. That suggests that Revelation is filled with commands and life-changing truths that pertain to your Christian walk today and not merely filled with difficult-to-understand prophecies that only “prophecy experts” can understand.

Besides, there are no “prophecy experts” who have all the answers. God reveals His truth as He chooses, and often uses the most humble servants through whom He speaks. Those who write books giving “the final word” and even give dates for fulfillment always end up wrong. Then they write another book that you can buy – if you have money to waste.

It is good to ponder the prophetic scriptures in Revelation and seek answers as to what the future might hold. But it is even more important to apply the commands, warnings and lessons in the book to how we live today. That's what we are doing as we study the Book of Revelation to seek out its life changing truths.

In Part I, we looked at the first chapter in Revelation. Now let's study key truths in chapters two and three.

· A Christian's Greatest Loss (When Jesus Is No Longer Our First Love) 

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Revelation 2:2-4)

· The Reward For Faithful Suffering 

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful untodeath, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

· The Martyr's Call (When Obedience To Christ Requires Sacrifice) 

“I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdestfast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” (Revelation 2:13) 

· The Importance Of Good Works 

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” (Revelation 2:19)

· Christ's Promise To The Overcoming Christian 

“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give powerover the nations” (Revelation 2:26)

· Man Sees The Outward But God Sees The Heart 

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest,and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:1-4)

· The Open Doors God Also Has For You 

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:7-8)

· God's Promise To Those Who Practice Patient Obedience To The Word Of God 

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)

· The Terrible Cost Of Lukewarmness And The Overcomer's Greatest Reward 

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm,and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:14-21)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

TEST YOURSELF

1) How does Satan work to try to weaken our first love for Jesus? (Revelation 2:4)

2) What are some of the sufferings of Christians who live in countries where persecution

is a fact of life? (Revelation 2:10)

3) What does it mean to you to be an overcomer for Jesus Christ? (Revelation 2:26)

4) Has God been showing you a new open door for your life? What does it involve? (Revelation 3:8)

5) What are some important spiritual disciplines that can keep us hot for the Lord Jesus instead of growing lukewarm (Revelation 3:15,16)