Sunday
June 28
1. EPHESUS—DESIRABLE—A.D. 27 TO 100
a. What was the condition of the church in the first period of the Christian era? Revelation 2:2, 3.
“At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with childlike simplicity and fervor. . . .
“The members of the church were united in sentiment and action.”—Ibid., pp. 578, 579.
b. In spite of such a desirable condition, what was Jesus’ complaint about the church, and how did she come to that condition? Revelation 2:4, 5.
“The early Christians began to look for defects in one another. Dwelling upon mistakes, giving place to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour and of the great love He had revealed for sinners.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 241.
Monday
June 29
2. SMYRNA—MYRRH, SWEET PERFUME—A.D. 100 TO 323
a. What was the condition of the church in the period of Smyrna? What wealth did it possess? Revelation 2:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; James 2:5.
“The early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and unswerving faith were a continual reproof that disturbed the sinner’s peace. Though few in numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles, they were a terror to evildoers wherever their character and doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain. . . . From the days of Christ until now His faithful disciples have excited the hatred and opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin.”—The Great Controversy, p. 46.
“If the purpose and aim of your life is to lay up treasure in heaven, you will be lifted above the base, sordid, demoralizing influence of an inordinate desire to obtain wealth in this life. Laying up treasure in heaven will give nobility to the character; it will strengthen benevolence, encourage mercy; cultivate sympathy, brotherly kindness, and charity. It will unite the soul of man with Christ, by links that can never be broken. You may lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven by being rich in good works—rich in imperishable and spiritual things.”—Our High Calling, p. 195.
b. What did Jesus promise to the victorious believers in Smyrna who would endure to the end? Revelation 2:10; Acts 14:22.
“Like God’s servants of old, many [followers of Christ] were ‘tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection’ (Hebrews 11:35). These called to mind the words of their Master, that when persecuted for Christ’s sake, they were to be exceeding glad, for great would be their reward in heaven; for so the prophets had been persecuted before them. They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of triumph ascended from the midst of crackling flames.”—The Great Controversy, p. 41.
“Before entering the City of God, the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state. . . . Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory.”—Ibid., pp. 645, 646.
Tuesday
June 30
3. PERGAMOS—HEIGHT, ELEVATION—A.D. 323 TO 538 THYATIRA—SACRIFICE OF CONTRITION—538 TO 1798
a. What rebuke did Jesus administer to the church of Pergamos? Revelation 2:12–15. What was the doctrine of the Nicolaitans?
“[During the time of Israel’s encampment beside Jordan] at Balaam’s suggestion, a grand festival in honor of their [heathen] gods was appointed by the king of Moab, and it was secretly arranged that Balaam should induce the Israelites to attend. . . . As they united in mirth and feasting, indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the barriers of self-control. Passion had full sway; and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, they were persuaded to bow down to idols. They offered sacrifice upon heathen altars and participated in the most degrading rites.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 454.
“It is our work to know our special failings and sins, which cause darkness and spiritual feebleness, and quenched our first love. Is it worldliness? Is it selfishness? Is it the love of self-esteem? Is it striving to be first? Is it the sin of sensuality that is intensely active? Is it the sin of the Nicolaitans, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness?”—Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 361.
“The doctrine is now largely taught that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect; that by ‘believing’ we are released from the necessity of being doers of the Word. But this is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned.”—The Signs of the Times, February 25, 1897.
b. What did spiritual Jezebel insinuate in the period of Thyatira? Revelation 2:19–23. What atrocities were practiced by Jezebel of old and repeated in Thyatira? 1 Kings 18:4; 19:1, 2. What promise was given to the overcomers of Thyatira? Revelation 2:26–28.
“In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy—the Inquisition. . . . ‘Babylon the great’ was ‘drunken with the blood of the saints’ (Revelation 17:5, 6). The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 59, 60.
“In the fourteenth century arose in England the ‘morning star of the Reformation.’ John Wycliffe was the herald of reform, not for England alone, but for all Christendom.”—Ibid., p. 80.
Wednesday
July 1
4. SARDIS—THAT WHICH REMAINS—1798 TO 1833 PHILADELPHIA—BROTHERLY LOVE—1833 TO 1844
a. How does the Lord depict the condition of the Sardis church? Revelation 3:1. What responsibility rested upon the few faithful who were still alive? Revelation 3:2–5.
“The sin especially charged against this [Sardis] church is that they have not strengthened the things that remain, that are ready to die. Does this warning apply to us? Let us individually examine our hearts in the light of God’s word, and let our first work be to set our hearts in order by the help of Christ.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 610.
“In the message to the church at Sardis two parties are presented—those who have a name to live, but are dead; and those who are striving to overcome.”—The Review and Herald, August 20, 1903.
“In all ages there have been those who claimed a right to the favor of God even while they were disregarding some of His commands. But the Scriptures declare that by works is ‘faith made perfect;’ and that, without the works of obedience, faith ‘is dead’ (James 2:22, 17). He that professes to know God, ‘and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him’ (1 John 2:4).”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 73.
b. What important event took place in the end of the period of Philadelphia? Revelation 3:7, 8; 11:19.
“The time for the commandments of God to shine out with all their importance, and for God’s people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was when the door was opened in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary, where the ark is, in which are contained the ten commandments. This door was not opened until the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy, and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches. . . .
“Since Jesus has opened the door into the most holy place, which contains the ark, the commandments have been shining out to God’s people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath question.”—Early Writings, p. 42.
Thursday
July 2
5. LAODICEA—THE JUDGMENT OF THE PEOPLE—1844 TO THE END
a. What is the problem with the church of Laodicea? Revelation 3:14–17. What counsel is given to the angel of the church? Revelation 3:18, 19.
“Halfhearted Christians are worse than infidels.”—Our High Calling, p. 348.
“The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 88.
b. What is promised to the overcomer in the period of Laodicea, and how can the victory be obtained? Revelation 3:20, 21; 20:4.
“If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: ‘They are joined to their idols, let them alone,’ and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness.”—Ibid., vol. 1, p. 187.
Friday
July 3
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. Trace the decline in the spiritual condition of the church at Ephesus.
b. Why can the Smyrna church be an inspiration to us in the last days?
c. How are the sins of Pergamos and Thyatira repeated today?
d. In what sense did the end of Philadelphia mark a turning point?
e. How only can we be overcomers in this current period of Laodicea?