The Return of the King The Church of the Persevering Persecuted Why Churches Need Some Persecution Revelation 2:8–11 The Correspondent, Jesus Christ, the Author and Our Hope (2:8) “First and Last” “Was Dead and Is Alive” The Church and Its Affairs (2:9-11) Their Commendation (9) He Knows their Tribulation Poverty Persecutors The Command and Counsel (10) Fear & Suffering Future & Testing Faithfulness & Rewards The Challenge (11) A Church That Left Her First Love Revelation 2:1–7 7 Churches Christ is the Author of each message. Christ is the Answer for our every problem. Christ is the Authority for our lives. A reference to the City or Assembly, the destination of the letter A description of Christ, the Author and Answer A Commendation or Approval A Condemnation or the Ailment A Counsel or Admonition A Challenge and an Assurance The Commendation (2:2-3) Diligent Disciplined Discerning The Condemnation (2:4) Left Your First Love, Not Lost How Do I Know If I Have Left My First Love? Callousness about Sin Contentedness with self Careless about the Lost Contentiousness with the Saints from Tom Farrell The Counsel (2:5a, b) Remember Repent Repeat