The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, July 15, 2026, we conclude our Bible study series on Heaven with the final words from Jesus to encourage the 7 churches and then a look at what our eternity in heaven will be like.  There is still much to learn from our study of Revelation and the words of Jesus.  And this week may be the best week of all.

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Notes from July 8, 2026 - The book of Revelation opens with Jesus giving words of encouragement to the 7 churches.  (Revelation 2-3).  These words are special, because they let us know with certainty that Jesus is truly with us in our lives.  He sees what we go through, He is aware of our challenges, and He is proud of our efforts and mindful of the desire of our hearts.  Jesus, nor the Heavenly Father, is a far off God, sitting distantly in Heaven, unconcerned about what is happening down on Earth.  No.  Far from it.  Jesus' words to the 7 churches - and now, words to us - are proof that Jesus sees our struggles.  He is urging us to hold on to our faith, not get discouraged, and be victorious.   

In our first week (June 24th) we only had time to tackle what Jesus said to the first two churches.  But we looked this week (July 8th) at His words to 3 more churches.  Next week, our final week of the Heaven series, will study His words to the last 2 churches.  Here are the highlights from this week:

In Rev. 2:12-17, Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum, which is now the city of Bergama in modern day Turkey.  But Pergamum was a center of learning & culture in the ancient world, with a magnificent library.  Unfortunately, it was also known as a center of pagan worship, with temples dedicated to gods such as Zeus, Athena, Asclepius, Dionysus, and more.  That explains what Jesus says to them about where they live.  Jesus said, "I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives."  The take away for us is to know that Jesus also knows where we live.  He knows what is happening around us.  He knows you.  But after praising them for holding onto their faith during persecution, Jesus also tells them of things that do not please God.  He is not happy to see that they have held onto practices that go against loving God and serving only God.  Christianity - following in the footsteps of Jesus - involves change.  It's true that God refines us, but we also must let go of things in our lives that are incompatible with honoring God.  We have to let go of old habits.  Have no other idols before God.  Make God a priority in our lives.  If we aren't honoring God in our lives, we need to hear those words of Jesus, "I have a few things against you."  But - when we do make those changes and repent from how we have been living, Jesus reminds us of the rewards that will come to us.  He said that one reward would be "the hidden manna."  We know from Exodus 16:32 that Moses kept "an omer of manna for the generations to come," and it was put in a jar in the Ark.  Revelation 11:19 says that “God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant.”  Putting it all together means that our victory will be to live in heaven and experience all the blessings of that eternal home.  And Jesus mentions another reward - a new name!  A new name marks a significant change or calling in our lives.  Abram became Abraham (Genesis 17:5); Jacob became Israel (Genesis 32:28).  We’ll get a new name from Jesus.  It will reflect our life in Christ, our triumph, and our unique identity in God’s eternal kingdom.   For Jesus to give us that name, it means He has been watching!

In Rev. 2:18-28, Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira, a city that now lies in ruins near Akhisar.  Thyatira was a thriving commercial city, known for its trade guilds and the production of purple dye.  To that church, Jesus said: "I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first."  Those are the words of praise, and Jesus commends their perseverance.  But then Jesus says, "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling."

His words are a reminder to us that God is merciful.  Over and over God is waiting patiently for us to repent and turn to Him.    It's also a call for us to evaluate how we are living.  We should not tolerate false teachings or follow others into immorality.    They compromised their faith, likely due to membership in trade guilds.  Some work environments have bad habits, but Christianity calls us to change those habits.  Compromise is the door to living a life that displeases Jesus.  We compromise our lives each time we get behind a leader who leads us into evil.  We should not excuse the evil because we otherwise see greatness in wealth or power.  The church of that day tolerated Jezebel and allowed her to lead them down a dark path.  It's a reminder to us to be careful and mindful of who we follow and allow to lead.

Jesus then goes on to say to "the rest of you in Thyatira," to those who did not hold to the teaching of Jezebel.  He urged them to "hold on to what you have until I come."  In other words, hold onto your faith.  Hold tight to what you know is true and right.   Hold on to what is good, and flee from evil.  Jesus reminds them, and us, of the reward for doing so.  He said, "To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—  that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give that one the morning star.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Jesus tells us of two more rewards. The first is that we will rule with Jesus in His Kingdom!  For more on that idea, look at Rev. 20:4 where John wrote that he saw "thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge."  John said that those who stayed true to their faith and did not worship Satan "came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”  During this thousand year period of time, we will rule with Jesus.  Of course, during that period of time, Satan has been locked away in the Abyss. (See Rev. 20:3)  So people will be living in peace, joy, love, and not committing sin.  

Another reward Jesus mentioned was to give the one who is victorious "the morning star.”   What does that mean?  

Consider Revelation 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.” 

Jesus is the morning Star.  So He s telling us that He gives us Himself.  We’ll be present with Jesus in Heaven, living in eternity with Him in a place of the most incredible beauty, peace, and joy we can imagine.  

And the last of the churches Jesus addressed (that we had time to cover this week) was Sardis.  In Rev. 3:1-6, Jesus spoke to the church in Sardis, a wealthy city, famous for its militarily strategic location, its nearby gold deposits, and a signature method of refining gold and silver that allowed Sardis to mint the highest grade coins in the ancient world.  Jesus said, "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent." 

Jesus says that are alive, but really dead.   That is because there was no spiritual activity.  Their spiritual growth was stalled because they were "unfinished."  They never matured in their faith.  It's a reminder that going through the motions of worship doesn’t mean we’re alive for Jesus.  In Matt. 23:27, Jesus said – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”  "White-washed" describes hypocrisy, and superficial righteousness.   It's when we appear clean & pure on the outside but are corrupt on the inside.  We can't pretend to be righteous.  Jesus knows.  He sees.  Jesus says they are unfinished because there has been stagnant growth.  They heard the words, but didn't let the words sink in.  It's like the parable Jesus told of the seed.  Some of the seed fell on “rocky ground,” it was received with joy, but it had no roots.  It went in one ear and out the other.  Jesus urges us to take to heart what He says.  Over and over in His words to the churches He says, "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."  We can't let the word of God get choked out in our lives with our worry over wealth, getting ahead, finding positions of power, etc.  Jesus again urges to “strengthen what remains” – that is, to fan the flame of faith in our lives.  Let it become a passionate fire in our hearts that guides the way we live.  Jesus said, “remember” what you received & heard.  Let His words of truth take root in your heart.  Meditate on them, and hold tight to His love in a world of hate.  For those that do, Jesus tells us of another reward.  He said, "they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."   The significance of being “dressed in white” is that we will be given clothes for the Wedding Supper (Rev. 19:9).  We will be invited to the celebration in heaven - when the church is like the bride of Christ, and we will be joined with Him in love forever.   We’ll receive our heavenly garments, dressed in white and given palm branches!  Palm branches are symbols of victory, triumph, and peace.  They were often used in celebrations and religious ceremonies, and we can anticipate they will again be used in Heaven.  It will be a glorious sight of joy and celebration.

Another finally, the other reward He mentions is that our name will be in the book of life.  Jesus will acknowledge us, and He says He will never blot it out.  Your name is written in Heavenly ink.  That is forever ink!  Once you are saved by Jesus, your name is in the book, and it will stay there.  We may gain more rewards by enduring the persecution and trials of life, but we will never lose our place in heaven.  You can be sure of your salvation.  And it is our prayer, that these words of Jesus will encourage all Christians to live the godly life that Jesus calls us to live.  We are to live differently than others, not blend in.  We should shine a light in this darkness, and hold firm to the convictions the Holy Spirit gives us.  Put God first in your life, and you will know that God is pleased with you.

Stay tuned - we will cover Jesus' words to the last two churches next week as we close our series on Heaven.