GBC

Different Church Laodicea One of the richest centres Banking, Manufactured fine clothing, Medical school Church founded - Epaphras Severest condemnation The Amen Not use titles from chapt 1 Amen - God of truth Faithfulness authority - Creator / Ruler Contrast their unfaithfulness Lukewarm Hot or cold…

Different Church Philadelphia Gateway to the East Vacation spot - hot springs, abundant wine Dionysos Missionary city - Hellenistic way of life Small church - persecuted from outside Holy and True Christ is reliable - true not usually associated with a person Holds the keys - opens doors No one can interfere…

Different Church Sardis Junction of 5 roads - wealthy in trade - very commercial Lazy - conquered 2x - located on steep hill Persecution of other churches not mentioned Still about Jesus Tied back to the opening of Revelation 1 Who has = who is in control City of the Living Dead No persecution - not…

Different Church Thyatira Not a lot known Trade guilds - very commercial - Lydia came from Size - values of God vs values men No doubt Only place used title - sees all, nothing will stop Doing right and growing Friction and Fractures Jezebel - symbolic wickedness Pushing others to conform to culture…

Different Church Pergamum Capital Library - < 200,000 parchments multiple temples to emperor Greater Power The seat of the ruler but one still greater The word the final authority For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,…

Different Church Smyrna Compete with Ephesus - Orlando vs Miami City destroyed and rebuilt Loyal to Rome heavy emperor worship - Tiberius Common Ground Died and now lives “I am living” Hidden Riches Burden that crushes - but they stood Poverty - rich in spirit James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has…

Different Church Been here Before ++ John on Patmos ++Nero burns Rome - blames Christians The Call to Remember In it Together Fresh Perspective "We must cease to think of the church as a gathering of institutions and organizations, and we must get back to the notion that we are the people of God." -…