Revelation 2:1-3:22 (Questions)

The Son of Man Speaks to His Churches (Rev 2:1-3:22)

Discernment Without Love: Have You Forsaken Your First Love?
Revelation 2:1-7; Key Verse: Rev 2:4 (To the "Loveless" Church in Ephesus)

1. Who "holds the seven stars in His right hand" and "walks among the seven golden lampstands" (Rev 2:1)? What are the seven stars and seven golden lampstands (Rev 1:20)?

2. What did the church in Ephesus have going for it (Rev 2:2-3)? What did Jesus have against them (Rev 2:4)? What does this mean? Is it hard to keep your first love for God? What causes you to lose it? What was it like in the early days of your relationship with Jesus?

(When were you most excited about Jesus? What influences contributed to you living a life on fire for Christ? What decisions did you make then? How does a couple's first love for one another relate to our first love for Christ? Why does the "first love" tend to grow cold? Are you still doing the things you did in the early days or your courtship? Do feelings follow actions or the other way around? How do we stay on fire for Christ? Help each other stay on fire for Christ?)

3. What did Jesus ask the Ephesians to do about this first love problem (Rev 2:5a)? What would happen if the Ephesian church didn't follow Jesus' counsel (Rev 2:5b)? What does this teach us? Does God punish Christians? Why or why not?

4. Who are the "Nicolaitians" (Rev 2:6)? What deeds did they commit that were worthy of hatred? What group or teaching could serve as a contemporary parallel?

5. Each of the seven letters closes in the same way: "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Rev 1:7a). Why is this so important as to bear repeating (Rev 2:11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)? How will you be one who "overcomes" (Rev 2:7b)?

6. If Jesus was writing to your church, what positive qualities might He commend you for? Scold you for? What kind of grade do you think your church would get? What is the most glaring need for improvement in your church? What can you do to be a part of the solution?

The Riches of Poverty: Be Faithful Even To The Point Of Death
Revelation 2:8-11; Key Verse: Rev 2:10b (To The "Suffering" Church in Smyrna)

1. How is the title, "the first and the last" used elsewhere in Revelation (Rev 2:8; 1:17; 22:13)? Why does this mean?

2. What kind of afflictions and poverty did the church at Smyrna face (Rev 2:9a)? Why does Jesus say, "I know your poverty (but you are rich)?" How can He say they are rich if they are poor?

3. What is so blasphemous about saying you are a Jew when you are not (Rev 2:9b)? Why the reference to "a synagogue of Satan?" How does John 8:39-47 serve as a parallel passage?

4. What did the future hold for the church of Smyrna (Rev 2:10)? What were they admonished to do? What is the stated purpose in their persecution? Is the reference to "ten days" literal or figurative? Is the "crown of life" salvation or a reward? How does James 1:12 help to interpret this? Have you ever been persecuted because you are a Christian? Are you willing to be "faithful until death?"

5. What does "he who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death" mean (Rev 2:11)?

Steadfast in the Shadow of Satan's Throne: The Sharp Double-Edged Sword
Revelation 2:12-17; Key Verse: Rev 2:13 (To The "Worldly" Church in Pergamum)

1. Why does Jesus refer to Himself as the One "who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Rev 2:12; 1:16; 2:16; 6:8; 19:15, 21)? What is this "sword" (Heb 4:12)? How does this indicate the theme of this letter?

2. What does it mean that Pergamum is "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:13)? What is the church commended for?

3. What does Jesus "have against" this church? Who are "Balaam" and "Balak" (Rev 2:14; Num 25:1-2; 31:16)? What sins do they tempt us to commit? What biblical truths are you tempted to compromise? Are the "Nicolaitans" related to Balaam and Balak (Rev 2:15)? If so, how?

4. What does Jesus command the church to do (Rev 2:16)? Is this "coming" Christ's second coming or a coming in judgment (1 Cor 11:30-32)? How will Christ "make war" against these believers? Why will He do this?

5. What is the "hidden manna," "white stone," and "new name" that the overcomer receives (Rev 2:17)?

Love Without Discernment: Eyes With Blazing Fire
Revelation 2:18-29; Key Verse: Rev 2:19 (To The "Immoral" Church in Thyatira)

1. How does this vision of Jesus alter your perspective of who He is (Rev 2:18)?

2. Is "love" something you feel or do (Rev 2:19)? Can you feel without doing and call it love? Can you do without feeling and call it love? What is "faith?" An attitude? A belief? A feeling? Is our "service" to each other or service to the world? How are you doing in the discipline of "perseverance?" How would God rate us in these four areas (1 to 10)? How could we do better in our weakest area and our strongest area?

3. Who was "Jezebel" (1 Ki 16:31-33; 2 Ki 9:22)? What sins did Jezebel's false teaching lead people into (Rev 2:20-21)? What are examples of false beliefs or teachings today? How important is orthodox teaching? Does God care that we believe and behave right?

4. Why does God blame the church for this woman's false teaching (Rev 2:20)? What should they have done? What would you do if your pastor (elder) started teaching things you knew were not congruent with the Bible? What did God threaten to do about Jezebel (Rev 2:22-23)? What did He do first (Rev 2:21)? What does this teach us about how we treat each other? Was God gracious forever? Should you always be Mister Nice Guy? When should you not be Mister Nice Guy?

5. What does it mean to "hold fast" (Rev 2:25)? Are your small group members holding fast to what they possess? What are you doing to ensure that each member perseveres until Jesus comes?

6. What does Rev 2:26-27 teach about what we will be doing in heaven? How is this different from the notion of playing harps and singing in the choir? What does "I will give him the morning star" mean (Rev 2:28; 22:16; 2 Pet 1:19)?

Deeds and Deadness: Wake Up!
Revelation 3:1-6; Rev 3:1 (To The "Dead" Church in Sardis)

1. What do "the seven spirits of God" refer to (Rev 3:1; 1:7; Isa 11:2-5; Zech 4:2, 10)? What about "the seven stars" (Rev 1:20)?

2. Why is there no commendation for the church at Sardis (Rev 3:2)? Why is the church "dead?" What did Jesus see that caused him to say this (Rev 3:4)? Have you ever been spiritually dead? What was that time in your life like?

3. What does it mean to "wake up" or "strengthen" (Rev 3:2; 16:15; Mt 24:42-43; 25:13; Mk 13:34-35, 37; Lk 12:37; Col 4:2; 1 Th 5:6, 10; 1 Pet 5:8)? How can you wake up if you find yourself asleep or on the verge of death (Ps 139:23-24)? What are "the things" that remain which Jesus calls the church to strengthen? Why? How important are "completed" works (John 17:4; 19:30; Rev 21:6)?

4. What are they to "remember"? "Repent" (Rev 3:3a)? What is the "it" they are to "keep?" What are the consequences (Rev 3:3b)? What does it mean to have "unsoiled" garments (Rev 3:4; 19:8; 22:14; Jas 1:27; Jude 23)? Are we ever "worthy" of salvation (Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-7)?

5. What is the "book of Life" (Rev 3:5)? How do you know that your name is in the book of Life and will never be erased? Will God erase the names of believers who don't overcome? Why or why not (1 Cor 9:27; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 2:17, 26; 3:12, 21)?

6. What does "confess" mean (Mt 7:23; 10:32-33; Jn 9:22; 12:42; Rom 10:9; 1 Tim 6:12; Tit 1:16; Heb 13:15; 1 John 2:23; 4:2-3, 15; 2 John 7)?

An Open Door: Keeping God's Word With Little Strength
Revelation 3:7-13; Rev 3:8 (To The "Faithful" Church in Philadelphia)

1. Are the churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) rebuked for their behavior? What do both churches share in common? Is Jesus identified with any of His characteristics found in Rev 1:12-18? What do the words "holy" and "true" mean (Rev 3:7)? What does "the key of David" refer to (Isa 22:22; Mt 16:19)?

2. What did God promise the church of Philadelphia (Rev 3:8a)? What does it mean, specifically and practically that they had an open door? Does God give to us an open door as well?

(Jesus taught that the fields were ripe for harvest (Jn 4:35; Mt 9:37; Lk 10:2). Are they still? Are people today interested in spiritual things? What are some positive ways you have found to talk to people about Christ? Do you like to do so? Do you enjoy it? Do you feel confident talking to people about Jesus? Other than witnessing, what are some other ways we can contribute to the advancement of the kingdom? Why do you think the Gospel is not spreading more rapidly than it is? The Bible teaches that the Gospel is good news. Normally, good news spreads fast. Is the Gospel spreading rapidly? What did Paul ask prayer for (2 Th 3:1)? Do you want to see the Gospel spreading rapidly?)

3. What does it mean that the church in Philadelphia has "little power" (Rev 3:8b)? How impressive is it that even with little power the church kept Jesus' word, and did not deny His name?

4. Who is the "synagogue of Satan" (Rev 3:9; 2:9)? Who will "bow down" before the church (Isa 45:14; 49:23)?

5. What is the "hour" that Jesus spoke of (Rev 3:10; 7:14; Mt 24:21)? What does "I am coming quickly" mean (Rev 3:11)? If this is a reference to Jesus' coming, why has He delayed His return so many years? How does this phrase serve as an incentive for Christians (1 John 2:28)? What does it mean to "hold fast" (2:13, 25; 3:3)? Why does Jesus say, "hold fast that no one will take your crown" (1 Cor 9:24)?

6. How is the church like a "temple" (3:12; cf. Eph 2:19-22; 1 Pet 2:5)? What does Rev 21:22 tell us about a future temple? What is the significance of a "pillar" (Isa 22:23)? What does it mean, "he who overcomes will not go out from it [the temple] anymore." What do the final three names signify?

The Poverty of Riches: I Am About To Spit You Out
Revelation 3:14-22; Key Verse: Rev 3:16 (To The "Lukewarm" Church in Laodicea)

1. What is significant about Christ's three titles that span His entire career (Rev 3:14; Jn 1:2-4; Col 1:15-18; Heb 1:2)?

2. Is there any commendation in this letter? Why or why not? Is there any mention of persecution or trial? What does this suggest? Why does God prefer that we are either "cold or hot" (Rev 3:15)? Why would God want us "cold?"

3. Why is lukewarmness so distasteful to God (Rev 3:16)? Could you describe a time in your life when you were lukewarm toward God? What is the appeal of being lukewarm? Why do people sometimes live lukewarm lives? How can you avoid lukewarmness? Rev 3:17 says that the Laodiceans think they are rich when they are, in fact, poor. What dangerous mindset develops as a result of wealth? What does this have to do with being lukewarm?

4. Why does Jesus advise believers to "buy from Me gold refined by fire" (Rev 3:18)? How is refined gold used in the Bible (Job 23:10; Prov 27:21; Mal 3:2-3; Zech 13:9; 1 Pet 1:6-9)? What might be the purpose of "eye salve" (John 14:26; 1 Cor 2:14-16)?

5. How does God treat those he loves (Rev 3:19; Prov 3:11-12; 13:24; Heb 12:5-6)? Is God all cookies and smiles? Give an everyday example. How does Rev 3:20 relate to being lukewarm? What is God's remedy for the tepid soul? Is this verse a call to salvation or fellowship?

6. Although Jesus' sternest rebukes and condemnation are directed toward Laodicea, he reserves for her the most glorious and precious promises given to any of the seven churches (Rev 3:21). What is so significant about reigning with Christ (2 Tim 2:12; Phil 2:6-11)?

References:

1. Johnson, Dennis E. Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation. Pillipsburg: P&R Publishing Company. 2001.
2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1-20).
3. Christian, Listen Up! (Rev 2:1-3:22)
4. Sermons on the Book of Revelation. Kim Riddlebarger, Sr. Pastor, Christ Reformed Church. Anaheim.
   
5. Revelation. Derek Thomas.
6. Revelation Bible study questions.