Feeding the Flock

"Smyrna and the Crown of Life"
 
The Outline: 
Prologue  (1:1-8)
  I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN” – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
III.  “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE” – The Judgments and The Characters                    (4:1-22:5)
Epilogue  (22:6-21)
***
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
     A.  Ephesus  (2:1-7)
     B.  Smyrna  (2:8-11)
     C.  Pergamum  (2:12-17)
     D.  Thyatira  (2:18-29)
     E.  Sardis  (3:1-6)
     F.  Philadelphia  (3:7-13)
     G.  Laodicea  (3:14-22)
***
B.  Smyrna  (2:8-11)
Commission[i]
Character
Commendation
Confrontation – None
Correction Encouragement
Call
Challenge
[i] This alliteration of characteristics from Daniel/Revelation Class Notes; Dr. Kenneth F. McKinley, LeTourneau College, 1973.
***
Tributaries: "The first and the last"
Isaiah 41:4; “Who has performed and accomplished it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’
         Isaiah 44:6; “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.”;          Isaiah 48:12; “Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.”
Tributary: The Accuser
Zechariah 3:1; “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.”
***
APPENDIX: THE CROWNS OF REWARD
“An IMPERISHABLE Wreath”(1Cor 9:25)for Self-Control
“The Crown of EXULTATION”(1Thess 2:19)for Leading Others to the Lord and Nurturing Them
“The Crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS” (2Tim 4:8)for Loving His Appearing
“The Unfading Crown of GLORY”(1Pet 5:3-4)for Fruitful Ministry of the Word
“The Crown of LIFE”(James 1:12; Rev 2:10)for Perseverance and Faithfulness

"Ephesus and the False Apostles"
 
The Outline: 
Prologue  (1:1-8)
  I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN” – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
III.  “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE” – The Judgments and The Characters                    (4:1-22:5)
Epilogue  (22:6-21)
***
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
     A.  Ephesus  (2:1-7)
     B.  Smyrna  (2:8-11)
     C.  Pergamum  (2:12-17)
     D.  Thyatira  (2:18-29)
     E.  Sardis  (3:1-6)
     F.  Philadelphia  (3:7-13)
     G.  Laodicea  (3:14-22)
***
A.  Ephesus  (2:1-7)
Commission[i]
Character
Commendation
Confrontation
Correction
Call
Challenge
[i] This alliteration of characteristics from Daniel/Revelation Class Notes; Dr. Kenneth F. McKinley, LeTourneau College, 1973.
 
 

"The Son of Man and The Lampstands"
 
The Outline: 
Prologue  (1:1-8)
  I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN”           – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE”           – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
III. “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE”           – The Judgments and The Characters                    (4:1-22:5)
Epilogue  (22:6-21)
***
  I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN”           – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
     A.  The Setting  (1:9)
          1.  The Persecution  (1:9a)
          2.  The Location  (1:9b)
     B.  The Voice  (1:10-11)
          1.  The Interruption  (1:10)
          2.  The Direction  (1:11)
     C.  The Encounter  (1:12-20)
          1.  The Description  (1:12-16)
          2.  The Introduction  (1:17-18)
          3.  The Commission  (1:19)
          4.  The Explanation  (1:20)

"Jesus Christ, The Faithful Witness"
 
***
The Outline: 
Prologue  (1:1-8)
I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN” – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
III.  “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE” – The Judgments and The Characters                    (4:1-22:5)
Epilogue  (22:6-21)
***
Prologue  (1:1-8)
•  Introduction (1:1-3)
Title  (1:1a)
Originator  (1:1b)
Communicator  (1:1c)
Witness  (1:1d-2)
Blessing  (1:3)
•  Salutation (1:4-8)
Author  (1:4a)
Recipients  (1:4b)
Triune Greeting  (1:4c-5a)
Doxology  (1:5b-6)
Theme  (1:7)
Declaration  (1:8)
 

"Behold, He is Coming!"
 
***
The Outline: 
Prologue  (1:1-8)
I.  “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN” – The Son of Man and The Lampstands                    (1:9-20)
 II.  “THE THINGS WHICH ARE” – The Letters to The Seven Churches                   (2:1-3:22)
III.  “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE” – The Judgments and The Characters                    (4:1-22:5)
Epilogue  (22:6-21)

"Sit, Walk Stand"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
APPENDIX: The Interval Between the 69th and 70th Week of Daniel 9:24-27
 
“THEN AFTER THE SIXTY-TWO WEEKS”
            – The incident to follow is not the termination of “the 62 weeks” but is to occur sometime “after”
            – Definite Article:  “The…” refers to that previous timeframe in v26 not a “restart”
            – NOTE:  Why 69 weeks total so far is even split up into “7 weeks and 62 weeks” is not explained, but MALACHI did complete the O.T. Canon of Scripture in 396BC, which is 49 years from the “decree” to rebuild Jerusalem
“THE MESSIAH WILL BE CUT OFF AND HAVE NOTHING”
            – Completely denied access to His rightful earthly reign and inheritance of David’s throne
            – His DEATH is strongly implied here; His disinheritance is definitely foretold
“THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE WHO IS TO COME”
            – Another “prince” who is not the Messiah, (with a lower case “p”)
            – There is only one such who would qualify:  “the little horn” from the final “Ten-Horned Empire”
            – It is the “people” who will do this next action, not “the prince”
            – Therefore the “people” must be those of that Empire before this “prince” actually comes into power
“WILL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY”
            – Complete destruction of the very thing that was “decreed” to rebuild at the beginning of the “70 weeks”
            – But the last “70th week” is yet to kick off
            – Implied GAP between the 69th and 70th week at least long enough for these two events to take place:  The Messiah rejected and killed, and the destruction of the city and sanctuary
ALTERNATIVES TO THE 7-YEAR PLACEMENT: 
Some associate it around Jesus’ death on the cross after approximately 3 ½ years of ministry because His sacrifice for sin put an end to the sacrifices
And some who place it there also apply the last “week” of Daniel’s 70 Weeks as the last week of days in Jesus life; Making Jesus’ death on Wednesday of that week
But that puts Jesus’ death as identical to the “abomination of desolation” which cannot be so; Jesus was crucified completely outside the city and could never be said to have desecrated it
And Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy was never about “weeks” of days centered around the Sabbath day; But based on the 7-year calendar for Sabbath Years in Israel’s calendar cycle
Some place the 7-year period around the destruction of the temple in ad70 by Titus and the Roman army with very convincing descriptions of the event and parallel to that of the Tribulation
But that puts a definition on the “abomination of desolation” that was never applied in Scripture; Demolition of the Temple is not at all the same as the Defilement
The destruction by Nebuchadnezzar (586bc) was not defined in those terms; Whereas Daniel’s own prophecy of the desecration (Daniel 11:31) that was later fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167bc) is clearly identified the same way as this to be done by “the prince who is to come”
The specific short term fulfillment of the “abomination” by Antiochus Epiphanes becomes a confirmation and illustration of the long range prophecy of the “prince who is to come” and his “abomination” in the middle of the 70th Week
So then we are left with a ‘mystery.’ In fact that is what the New Testament itself calls it and is exactly what Paul claims to have been revealed through him as His stewardship to deliver; It is “the church” the “body” of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:16; 3:3-5, 9); It is also called by Paul “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15)

"A New Communication"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
     1.  THE POWER(6:10)
     2.  THE POSITION(6:11-12)
     3.  THE PROTECTION (6:13-17)
     4.  THE PETITION(6:18-20)
          a.  Its Scope(6:18)
          b.  Its Object(6:19-20)
***
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
1.  The Courier (6:21-22)
2.  The Benediction (6:23-24)
***
APPENDIX: Prayer Requests made by Paul
Romans 15:30-32
“Strive together with me in you prayers”
“That I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea”
“That my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints”
“So that I may come to you in joy by the will of God…”
“…And find refreshing rest in your company”
2Corinthians 1:10-11
“You also join in helping us through your prayers”
“So that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf…”
“…For the favor bestowed on us”
Ephesians 6:18-20
“Pray at all times in the Spirit”
“Be on the alert with all perseverance and petition…
“…For all the saints”
“And pray on my behalf”
“That utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth”
“To make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel”
“That in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak”
Colossians 4:2-4
“Devote yourselves to prayer”
“Keeping alert in it”
“With an attitude of thanksgiving”
“Praying at the same time for us as well”
“That God will open up to us a door for the word”
“So that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ”
“That I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak”
1Thessalonians 5:25 [No content suggested]
“Brethren, pray for us.”
2Thessalonians 3:1-2
“Pray for us”
“That the word of the Lord will spread rapidly…”
“…And be glorified”
“And that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith”
1Timothy 2:1-4
“I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,”
“For kings and all who are in authority”
“So that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life…”
“Who desires all men to be saved…”
“…And to come to the knowledge of the truth”
Philemon 22
“Prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers…”
“…I may be given to you”
[Hebrews 13:18-19]
“Pray for us, for we a sure that we have a good conscience”
“Desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things”
“And I urge you all the more to do this”
“So that I may be restored to you the sooner”

"A New Victory"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
     1.  THE POWER(6:10)
          a.  Connected: The Lord(6:10a)
          b.  Calibrated: His Might(6:10b)
     2.  THE POSITION(6:11-12)
          a.  The Strategies from The Enemy(6:11)
          b.  The Opponents from Another Realm(6:12)
     3.  THE PROTECTION (6:13-17)
            THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD:  (6:13)
           a.  Belt of Truth(6:14a)
           b.  Breastplate of Righteousness(6:14b)
           c.  Shoes of The Gospel of Peace(6:15)
           d.  Shield of Faith(6:16)
            e.  Helmet of Salvation(6:17a)
            f.  Sword of The Spirit: The Word of God  (6:17b)
   4.  THE PETITION(6:18-20)
 

"A New Workplace"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                 “Walk”  (4:1)
THE WORTHY WALK(4:1-16)
THE DIFFERENT WALK(4:17-32)
THE LOVING WALK(5:1-14)
THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
***
4.  THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
***
a.  Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
The Most of Your Time(5:15-16)
The Will of the Lord(5:17)
b.  Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
Speaking and Singing(5:18-19)
Giving Thanks(5:20)
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
***
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
         Wives & Husbands  (5:22-33)
         Children & Parents  (6:1-4)
         Slaves & Masters  (6:5-9)
            The Employees’ Role
            The Employers’ Role
 

"A New Family"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                 “Walk”  (4:1)
THE WORTHY WALK(4:1-16)
THE DIFFERENT WALK(4:17-32)
THE LOVING WALK(5:1-14)
THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
***
4.  THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
***
a.  Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
The Most of Your Time(5:15-16)
The Will of the Lord(5:17)
b.  Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
Speaking and Singing(5:18-19)
Giving Thanks(5:20)
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
***
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
         Wives & Husbands  (5:22-33)
         Children & Parents  (6:1-4)
               The Children’s Role
                    The Fathers’ Role
         Slaves & Masters  (6:5-9)
 

"A New Marriage"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                 “Walk”  (4:1)
THE WORTHY WALK(4:1-16)
THE DIFFERENT WALK(4:17-32)
THE LOVING WALK(5:1-14)
THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
***
4.  THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
***
a.  Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
The Most of Your Time(5:15-16)
The Will of the Lord(5:17)
b.  Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
Speaking and Singing(5:18-19)
Giving Thanks(5:20)
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
***
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
          Wives & Husbands  (5:22-33)
               The Feminine Role                 The Masculine Role                 Summary
         Children & Parents  (6:1-4)
         Slaves & Masters  (6:5-9)
 

"A New Atitude"
 
The Outline: 
OPENING  (1:1-2)
I.  DOCTRINAL (1-3)
A.  Our POSITION in Christ  (1:3-3:21)
                  “Seated”[i]  (2:6)
II.  PRACTRICAL (4-6)
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                  “Walk”  (4:1)
C.  Our ATTITUDE to The Enemy  (6:10-20)
                  “Stand Firm”  (6:11)
CLOSING  (6:21-24)
[i] The Three Major Divisions used in these notes are adapted from the book: “Sit, Walk, Stand” by Watchman Nee; Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, 1973.
***
B.  Our LIFE in The World  (4:1-6:9)
                 “Walk”  (4:1)
THE WORTHY WALK(4:1-16)
THE DIFFERENT WALK(4:17-32)
THE LOVING WALK(5:1-14)
THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
***
4.  THE WISE WALK(5:15-6:9)
Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
***
a.  Be Careful how You Walk (5:15-17)
The Most of Your Time(5:15-16)
The Will of the Lord(5:17)
b.  Be Filled with The Spirit (5:18-6:9)
Speaking and Singing(5:18-19)
Giving Thanks(5:20)
Submitting(5:21-6:9)
***
APPENDIX: A Study in Parallel Passages
        Ephesians 5:18-6:9                          Colossians 3:16-4:1
“Be filled with the Spirit”           “Let the Word richly dwell”
  (5:18-19)      • Speaking and Singing       (3:16)
     (5:20)        • Thanksgiving                   (3:17)
  (5:21-6:9)     • Submitting                    (3:18-4:1)
         (5:22-33)                         Wives & Husbands                                    (3:18-19)
            (6:1-4)                           Children & Parents                                    (3:20-21)
            (6:5-9)                           Slaves & Masters                                       (3:22-4:1)
 
Note: In Algebra if A = B and C = B; Then A = C;
    Or: If two things are equal to the same thing, they are equal to each other
In Hermeneutics if different headings or commands both result in exactly the same things or motivate toward the same outcomes, then those headings or commands are most likely synonymous with each other
So then: “Being filled with the Spirit” is the equivalent to “Letting the Word richly dwell” in us; The one cannot happen properly unless it is also accompanied by the other