HCBC Sunday School - “Friends” Class
Let Them Hear (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-29; 3:5, 12, 21)

1) First Thoughts
a. Appreciating the ability to hear – hearing loss, things get in the way of hearing.
b. In Revelation, Jesus challenges us to listen to the spiritual truths the Holy Spirit is saying. Hearers deal with “background noise” from the culture around them – and from problems within congregations. Let’s listen!
2) Understand the Context
a. One approach to interpreting the Book of Revelation understands the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) to represent not only all types of churches but also seven distinct stages of church history, i.e., the progression of the Church’s response to its mission in the world from the first century until the return of Christ.
3) Explore the Text
a. Promise of life – promises Jesus made concerning those who overcome
i. “ear” – to recognize that Jesus Christ, the Lord and King, is speaking. Hearers are to listen in faith and respond in obedience.
ii. Overcomers – victors, those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus and live by faith in Him. ”For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” ~ I John 5:4
iii. Promises – to eat of the tree of life, not be hurt of the second death, eat of the hidden manna, given a white stone with a new name written, clothed in white raiment, will not blot out your name out of the book of life, made a pillar in the temple of my God with three names.
iv. Taken together, these promises indicate the absolute certainty and permanence of the believer’s standing before God.
b. Promise of purpose – statements Jesus made concerning the promise of participating with Him in eternity.
i. “power over the nations’ – overcomers will participate in Jesus’ messianic rule over the nations.
ii. “the morning star” – He will give us Himself as our King.
iii. “sit with me in my throne” – rule with Him in His kingdom.
4) Memory Verse:
a. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. ~ Revelation 3:22