Tuesday

 11 Nov 2025 at 11am, in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Dr Eileen Poh
Adjunct Faculty of Discipleship Training Centre
Dr Eileen Poh practised law for several years before commencing theological studies. She has a Law degree from Singapore, MDiv ( TTC, Singapore ), PhD in Biblical Studies, University of London, UK. She is married to Philip Satterthwaite, an Old Testament and Hebrew lecturer at Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST).

To register, text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.

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Jesus’ Letters to the 7 Churches

John was instructed by Jesus in a vision, to write these letters to the 7 churches in Asia Minor (Turkey). (These messages are applicable to Christ’s churches today: “Whoever has ears (!!), let them hear what the Spirit says to the “churches”.) (Rev 2, 3) Main message: Be Faithful to Jesus!
NB: Jesus walks among the 7 lampstands (churches). He is in our midst!

1. To the Church in Ephesus
   Ephesus was a major city located between Asia and Europe. It was a commercial and religious centre, where the temple of Artemis (Gk goddess of hunt, chastity, childbirth.)
   was located.

   Commendation “I know...your deeds”	Rebuke “Yet I hold this against you”	Exhortation “Repent” and “Remember”
   Hard work, perseverance Do not tolerate evil men Tested false apostles. Endured suffering for me without giving up. Hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (compromisers who followed the world)	You have forsaken your First Love (for me/one another/pre-believers). (eg. Your original zeal/love for God has been replaced by routine rituals.)	Repent (Turn!) and do the things you did at first. (Otherwise, I will remove your lampstand from among the churches: Put out your light!)

2. To the Church in Smyrna
   Smyrna (Izmir, today) had an excellent harbour (wealthy port!), schools of science/medicine, temple of Bacchus (god of wine), athletic games, a Gentile population whichwas hostile because of emperor-worship and many Jews who were against Christianity.

   Suffering and poverty (You are rich - in My eyes!). Slander of apostate Jews (who are not Jews but instruments of Satan). (Revealed by their actions.) Persecution. Tested by Satan with imprisonment.

   None.

   Do not be afraid of suffering. It will be brief. (“ten days”) Be fearless. Be faithful even when facing death (I will give you the crown of (Eternal) life).

3. To the Church in Pergamum
   Pergamum was the political capital of Asia. It had Greek culture/education and one of the most extensive libraries of ancient times (200,000 volumes). The god of healing(Asclepius: symbolised by a serpent) was a dominant, idolatrous attraction.

   Remained faithful/loyal despite extreme pressures and did not renounce their faith in the city where Satan had his “throne”, even when Antipas was martyred.

   Tolerating compromise. Some were following the ways of Balaam, a “prophet” whose services could be bought (covetous). When he could not curse Israel, he taught Balak (king of Moab) to entice them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by immorality. Some were compromising like the Nicolaitans.

   Repent (Turn!) or I will come to you and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Sword represents God’s authority and judgment).

4. To the Church in Thyatira
   Thyatira had many trade guilds eg. tanners, weavers, dyers, robe-makers, potters. Lydia, the first convert of Paul in Europe, came from this city. She was a dealer in purple cloth.

   Good works, love, faith, service and perseverance. Now doing more than at first. (eg increasingly serving the needy, witnessing to the love of God, with love and faith.)

   They tolerated a woman (symbolic name “Jezebel”) who was teaching Satan’s “deep secrets”(heresy) and misleading others into sexual immorality and the eating of food offered to idols. She did not repent.

   God will punish those who committed “adultery” with “Jezebel”. Then all the churches will know that God searches hearts and minds and will repay each according to your deeds. To the rest, hold on to what you have, until I come.

5. To the Church in Sardis
   Sardis was a wealthy city, with a flourishing carpet-making industry. Coins were first minted here.

   Dead church! But you have a few people who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

   You have a reputation of being alive but you are dead. (Superficial, wealthy, comfortable...zzz? ). (Ask God to help you find other faithful believers, to pray for church!)

   Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die. I have not found your works complete before God. Remember what you have heard and obey it. Repent. If you do not wake up, I will come suddenly.

6. To the Church in Philadelphia
   The city was founded by the citizens of Pergamum and was built as a centre of Greek culture. The city was destroyed by earthquake (17 A.D).

   Faithfulness. You have little strength yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Obedience) You have kept my command to endure patiently.

   None.

   I will make those who are of Satan, but are apostate Jews, fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the world to test those who live on earth. Hold on to what you have. I am coming soon.

7. To the Church in Laodicea
   Laodicea was a very wealthy banking centre, manufacturer of black wool garments, with a well-known medical school. It was famous for its eye salve, collyrium. Itswater supply was from two sources, one hot and the other cold (Hieropolis: hot springs/Colosse: pure, cold water). However by the time the water arrived by aqueduct, it was lukewarm!

   None.

   You are neither hot nor cold, just lukewarm (!) You say I am rich... but do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (spiritually blind, apathetic, materialistic, nominal Christians).

   I counsel you to buy from me, gold refined in the fire (spiritual treasure) so you can become rich; and white clothes (righteousness) to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see (truth!). Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest(serious) and repent. I stand at the door (of Christian’s heart! Christ outside church!) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him/her, and she/he with me.

All 7 messages end with an appeal to the individual :

1. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
2. “To him (her) who overcomes/is victorious: (Rewards)
   
   1. The right to eat from the Tree of Life (Eternal life) (Ephesus).
   2. Will not be hurt by the second death/crown of life (Smyrna).
   3. Hidden manna (Jesus: Bread of Life) and a white stone with a new name written on it (Pergamum).
   4. Those who do God’s will to the end: Authority over the nations and Jesus, the morning star (which appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest) (Thyatira).
   5. Dressed in white, name in the Book of Life and name acknowledged before the Father and his angels (Sardis).
   6. Made a pillar in the temple of God. (Honoured.) I (Jesus) will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (new Jerusalem) and my new name. (Philadelphia).
   7. The right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat with my Father on His throne (Laodicea).

NB: Jesus knows the precise condition of your church and your spiritual life!

Q1. Which 5 churches were commended and which 2 were not commended at all? Review the reasons for Jesus’ assessment of their spiritual health.

Q2. Has the Spirit convicted you of any specific area you need to change, with His help?

Q3. Where can you serve/contribute, to help effectively to fulfill the church’s mandate to share the Good News, make (Intentional) Disciples and act as Salt and Light to make God’s world a better place for humanity today/future generations?

Q4. How is your current spiritual condition/relationship with Jesus: Hot/Cold/Lukewarm? (Pause! Do you hear Jesus knocking? Have you invited Him into your life?)

Q5. Are you facing any persecution/pressure to compromise Christ’ teachings in your home, workplace, church(!), community? (Ask the Spirit for strength and guidance and/or share with a godly leader.)

Q6. Have you lost your First Love for Jesus? And are you now diligently serving with (Biblical) knowledge, but without love or zeal? (Do return to Jesus, with solitude, prayer, Bible reading, meditation, journaling..)

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Food for Reflection:

“Then all the churches will know that 
I am the One who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person.
And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”

Revelation 2:23

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group

Lessons from the Book of Revelation

John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” was the sole survivor of the Twelve, when he was given a series of visions, while a prisoner on the island of Patmos.

He was instructed to write the Revelation of Jesus Christ, about past, present and future events, emphasising the identity and ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ against the forces of evil. It is both a warning and source of encouragement/hope to churches facing internal compromises and external persecution. Whoever reads Revelation will be blessed! (Rev 1:3)

Next Meeting: 25 Oct 2025 at 2pm (online)
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)