We didn't get through all the admonitions and promises to the seven churches, and we will have lots to talk about next week, so here are my lesson notes for you to study if you choose.
2. The Lord tells the seven branches in Asia about the blessings promised to those who overcome.
Triumph over, win the
victory see topical guide
first lines…
Discuss Revelation 2–3.
Invite class members to read selected verses aloud. Explain that chapters 2 and 3 contain the words of the Lord to each of
the seven branches of the Church in Asia. The Lord reviewed some of the
strengths and weaknesses in each branch and warned the Saints to correct their
weaknesses.
- •
Just as the
Lord commended and corrected the Church members in Asia, he commends and
corrects us today. What might the Lord commend us for? What has the Lord told
us to correct?
Remember Bro. Wall's comment about being "slow to act?" Sabbath day observance was another suggestion made by Sr. Christensen. Whatever the Apostles teach us in their Conference addresses are areas where we can improve, and also traits that are to be commended. We ARE listening and we DO try hard!
Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) Stresses the need for love of
Christ. Note about Nicolaitans
page 249 New Testament Reading Guide.
Repentance needed.
Promise: verse
7:
7 He that hath an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
paradise of God.
What does the tree of life represent? (See 1 Nephi
11:21–22.) Why is this the most desirable of all blessings?
Smyrna
(Revelation 2:8-11)
Praises the faithful endurance of the saints. Many tribulations. Promise: verse 11
11 He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
What is the second death? (See Alma
12:16, 32;) How can the Lord’s promise to the Saints in Smyrna help us see
our tribulations in the proper perspective?
Pergamos
(Revelation 2:12-17) Calls false teachers to repentance.
· The
Lord criticized some of the people in Pergamos for following the doctrine of
Balaam, an Old Testament prophet who desired earthly honors and rewards more
than he desired to follow the Lord’s will. What earthly honors and rewards
might we have to give up to obey the Lord’s will?
· •
Promise: verse 17 To the Saints in Pergamos the Lord
promised, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.” (The
word hidden in this context means sacred, or not evident to everyone.) What
could hidden manna represent? (See John
6:35, 49–51.)
Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) Condemns immoral
practices. Jezebel, reins
(kidneys) to the Hebrews, strength and vigor. Idiom meaning the Lord knows all
things about the inner man, his strengths and weaknesses, his character and
emotions, and He shall then be able to “give unto every one of you according to
your works.”
Promise: verse 26-27
Rule over nations
with the word of God = blessings of exaltation and eternal life, rule over
heavenly kingdoms.
· How
can we use the word of God to rule our own lives?
· •
Who is the morning
star mentioned in Revelation
2:28? (See Revelation
22:16.) What might it mean to be given the
morning star? (Answers may include to receive Christ into our lives and to
receive the blessings of his Atonement.)
Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) Calls the saints to a more spiritual
life. How does
participation in temple ordinances prepare us to be “clothed in white”
eternally? What is the book of life?
Book of life
Spoken of
in Philip. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 21:27; 22:19; see also Dan. 12:1–4; Luke 10:20. In one sense the book of life
is the sum total of one’s thoughts and actions—the record of his life. However,
the scriptures indicate that a heavenly record is kept of the faithful, whose
names are recorded, as well as an account of their righteous deeds (D&C 88:2; 128:7).
What will happen to those whose names are written in the book
and are not blotted out because of wickedness? (See Revelation
21:10, 23–27; Alma 5:58;
D&C
88:2.)
Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) Praises the loyalty
of the saints.
· What
did the Lord say he would do for the Saints in Philadelphia because they had
“kept [his] word, and … not denied [his] name”? (See Revelation
3:10.) How does righteous living make it
easier to resist temptation?
· •
The Lord promised
(verse 12) to those who overcome, “I will write upon him the name of my God,
and the name of the city of my God.” What does it mean to have the name of God
and the name of his city written on us? (We become like God and become citizens
of his eternal kingdom.)
Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) Condemns the lack
of commitment. Lukewarm saints.
· How
might we sometimes be spiritually “lukewarm”? How can we increase our
commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
· •
The Lord promised the
Laodiceans, (verse 21) “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
3:21). What blessings are symbolized by the
promise of sitting with the Lord on his throne? (See Romans
8:16–17.)
“Behold, I stand at the door” (Revelation 3:20)
Display
the picture Jesus at the Door (62170; Gospel Art Picture Kit 237).
- •
What
does Revelation 3:20 teach about the Lord? (See also
Revelation 22:17.) How have you found this to be
true?
Conclusion
Testify
that those who overcome the temptations and trials of the world will inherit
the blessings of eternal life. Remind class members that the Savior’s Atonement
provides a way for us to overcome if we repent and are faithful.
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