Revelation 1:20-2:2 (NLT) - 20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 2:1 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: 2 "I know all the things you do."

1. The King KNOWS all the things we do.

• He is intimately involved in the close details of our ministries and lives.
• When we know that He sees:
  • We walk in the fear of the Lord.
  • We are set free from COMPARISON.
  • We are set free from CRITICISM.
  • We are set free from needing COMPLIMENTS.

2. The King gives PRAISE.

• He praises endurance - Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Philadelphia.
  • through persecution
  • through hardship
  • through temptation
• He praises perpetually growing in love, faith, and service - Thyatira.
• He praises staying pure - Sardis.

3. The King gives REBUKE.

• He rebukes the loss of LOVE - Ephesus.
  • Revelation 2:4 (NLT) - 4 "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!
• He rebukes the loss of PASSION - Sardis.
  • Revelation 3:1-2 (NLT) - 1 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.
• He rebukes the loss of CONCERN - Laodicea.
  • Revelation 3:15;19 (NLT) - 15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
• He rebukes tolerating FALSE teaching.

Balaam - Pergamum

• Leads to compromising
• Violate your conscience because of grace
• Appeals to the lust of the flesh

Jezebel - Thyatira

• Leads to deception
• An obsession with the "secret mysteries"
• Appeals to the pride of life

4. The King gives COMMANDS.

• See your need - Laodicea
• Repent of your sins - Pergamum
• Wake up - Sardis
• Return to love - Ephesus
• Hold fastly - Smyrna, Thyatira, Philadelphia

5. The King gives REWARDS.

• We will LIVE forever.
• We will DWELL forever.
• We will RULE forever.

6. The King speaks by His Spirit to US and the CHURCH.

• Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.