The Compartmentalization of Dewey: Revelation 2.1-7

A confession: I have been off-track.



I am called to get as many people to follow Jesus as I can before I die. I am supposed to do that in three ways.

1. Renewing worship in the church and in the lives of Christians.


2. Developing leaders for the church, especially among young people.


3. Teaching the Bible and encouraging a love for the Bible.

The problem is that I have been compartmentalizing my life.

• We do not give the right attention, priority or devotion to our faith.


• We lose sight of the reason that God put us here and called us.


• We let other issues become more important to us than our faith.


• We let what other people think about faith become more important than what we think about faith.

Compartmentalizing leads to separation.

• Separation causes us to believe that our attitudes, actions and beliefs have consequences for no one but ourselves.


• Separation leads to secrecy, dishonesty and infidelity to God and others.


• Separation almost always leads to excess and imbalance.


• Separation causes us to disengage from commitments and plans.


• Separation causes us to lose sight of our God-given dreams.

Sacred vs. Secular

There is no difference between the sacred and the secular for the Christian. All of life is God's life. There is no distinction between the church and the world. It is all God's world.

In Revelation 2.1-7, we are called by Jesus himself to live a complete, de-compartmentalized life.

1. The Ephesians are praised for doing good things (v. 2). They are following God's law. They are good people. They are really like most Christians that are in our churches today. They are really good, kind people.
2. The Ephesians are praised for being faithful (v. 3). They have endured much suffering and persecution. Many Christians have left the faith because it got too hard. The Ephesians have not. Like them we are persevering in our faith.
3. But... The Ephesians have left their first love (v. 4). I believe this is another way of saying that they are distracted from what is really important. They have 'compartmentalized' their lives.

We must return to our first love and avoid separation at all costs.

Bible Study: Revelation 3. 14-22

14- Amen- Jesus is the authority of God and has the authority of God. Amen means: So be it.
Beginning of Creation- Jesus is the very first thing (cf. John 1.1)

15- I know your works- The attitudes and actions of the Laodiceans are known by John, and presumably by others.
"You are neither cold nor hot"- Being cold would likely mean that they are far from God, but open to hearing from him. Being hot could be the possibility that these Christians are committed to Christ, but filled with hypocrisy and deception. Being either cold or hot would mean that repentance and redemption are not out of the question.

16- Lukewarm Christians are those who think that they have no problems and consequently end up in the worst possible state. They are content with mediocrity. These believers see no problems with the world or their faith. The status quo is perfectly fine with them.

18- Gold represents the perfection and purity of a relationship with Jesus. Gold is the most precious thing known to man.
Refined in the fire lets us see that even gold can be improved and purified. We are encouraged to constantly be reflecting on our relationship with God and be purified in it.
Being clothed is symbolic of leaving our sins behind. We are no longer naked, but clothed in the truth of God's word.
Having our eyes anointed is another sign of the purification that Jesus desires for us. Think of the nursery rhyme- "see no evil".

19- Love requires that we be corrected. Just as loving parents discipline and limit the activities of their children, God does the same for his children.

20- God has a desire to fellowship with all humanity. Our only responsibility is to be open to him, to welcome him. He is available for all, but we must respond.

Bible Study: Revelation 3.7-13

v. 7- Philadelphia literally means brotherly love from the Greek. philos- brother. adelphos- love.

v. 8- holy and true- God is without fault in any way. He is without sin and completely honest in all his actions and words.

v. 8- the key of David- Calling on the name of the greatest leader of Israel would inspire confidence and hope in the Philadelphians.

v. 8- Have a little strength- sometimes the best we can do is hope for a little strength. Although we would like to have a lot more in reserve, perseverance may be the best that we can hope for.
Have kept my word- This implies that the readers are doing what God has commanded. They are faithful to know, to study and to obey the word of God.
Have not denied my name- These believers are being faithful to their relationship with God.

v. 10- Keep you from the hour of trial. This does not mean that we will never have trials. The stories of the New Testament itself is proof that trials will come. However, we can celebrate the hope that we have. We will never go through trials alone. God will always be with us.

v. 11- I am coming quickly. The speediness with which God returns may be a matter of interpretation. He has not come yet, but he will. His promise to return is valid, as are all his promises.

v.12- I will write on him- When we identify with a favorite cause, team or rock band, we often wear t-shirts or jackets with their names on them. We want people to know that we are fans of the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen or Fergie. When we are a part of Christ's family, he will imprint us as well.

New Jerusalem, which comes down. This is a foreshadowing of the prophecy that is to come in Revelation about the new heaven and the new earth.

Bible Study: Revelation 3.1-6

v. 1- Your reputation does not match your life. This is the same thing as hypocrisy. One of the greatest problems in the church, one of the most significant reasons why people avoid becoming Christians is because of hypocrisy. It is time that all Christians began living the way they say they do.

v. 2- "Wake up!" This indicates that even hypocrites are, or can be, Christians. It is not too late. It is time to begin working on the things that you have. Be faithful to God, completely.

v. 2- 'Strengthen what remains'- Although salvation is an act of grace and dependent only on the acts and work of God, there are things about the Christian life and experience that the individual believer is responsible for.

v.3- 'I will come like a thief.' The Christian must always be vigilant and prepared for any eventuality. The Christian life is a relationship that must continually grow or it will stagnate and die.

v. 4- Although there are many who are hypocrites, there are some who are not. In every congregation there is a 'remnant' who is faithful to God and his ways.

v' 5- Those who are faithful and endure, have the hope of eternal life and salvation with Christ.

The 4 Isms of Revelation

There are four problems, or heresies, in the the seven churches of Revelation 2. These are assigned to different congregations, but are at least occasionally present in all churches and potentially in all Christians. We must be vigilant to spot these tendencies and eliminate them as soon as possible.

1. Laymenism: Revelation 2.6. This problem, referred to here as being a system followed by Nicolaitans, is a malady that happens in the church when our activities and programs become more important than our ministries. We begin to serve the church rather than God.
2. Legalism: Revelation 2.9. Although in this passage we are looking at the 'synagogue of Satan' we should not be distracted by the drama of that term. There are tendencies in every group to adhere strictly to a set of guidelines, rules or laws at the expense of the spirit of God.
3. Balaamism: Revelation 2.14. The problem with Balaam, remembered famously as the prophet with the talking donkey, was that he refused to be led by the Holy Spirit. He was more interested in fame, acceptance and fortune than he was in pleasing God.
4. Jezebelism: Revelation 2.20. Jezebel was a queen in the Old Testament who used her power not to benefit her people or to bless God, but to please her self and her own wishes. This line of thinking and action has often been equated with sexual immorality or promiscuity. However, we need to be aware that anytime our own desires become more important than God, or anything else, we are in danger.

Bible Study: Revelation 2.12-24

The letter to the church at Thyatira-

v. 18- Having eyes like fire could represent purity.
Having feet like bronze is a sign of strength.

v. 19- I know your works- the witness of these Christians is always apparent.

Question: Is this true of all the Christians that you know? In your church? Is it true of you?

Latter works are better than the former- these Christians do not wear out. They keep working.

v. 20- Jezebel- Although Jezebel is a real character in the Old Testament, she is often used to represent any sin or temptation that causes Christians to fall.

v. 21- Repentance is required for all, especially those who follow Jezebel.

v. 23- We are judged according to our works. That is, how faithfully we serve God.

v.24- Hold Fast- Always be faithful to what God wants.

Bible Study: Revelation 2.1-11

After the introduction in chapter one, the content of Revelation turns to letters of correction and exhortation to the seven churches of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). These letters were all dictated by Jesus for John to write to each church. There is value in our study of each of the them.

The Church at Ephesus
v. 2- The Ephesian church was known for their good works. They were persistent in faith and practice, they tested the truth, patiently endured and did not put up with evil. They were commended for each of these.
v. 3- They also did not get weary with their good works. They kept going. Certainly there were times when they would have liked to give up their faith, but they did not.
v. 4- The problem is that the Ephesian Christians had left their first love, Jesus Christ. Their passion for the things of the Lord had dimmed.
v. 5- Therefore, repentance was required. They needed to repent of their careless attitude that had caused them to lose that passion and love for Jesus. Without repenting, we are told, those who have left their love of Jesus will be expelled from the church, and ultimately the Kingdom of God.
v. 7- Those with ears to hear is a common phrase throughout the New Testament. Jesus used similar phrases frequently. It is actually an admonition pay attention. We need to be willing to hear what God has to say.

The Church at Smyrna
v.9- Although many preachers advocate a belief that if you follow God you will be wealthy, the reality is that poverty often comes with following Jesus. There are many troubles, persecutions and difficulties associated with the Christian faith. The Synagogue of Satan is a reference to this fact. There are many who stand against God and his work.
v. 10- Here is an encouragement for Christians to be faithful at all costs. Bad things will happen to those who follow God, but we are to be faithful to him nonetheless.

Bible Study: Revelation 1.9-20

As John was writing Revelation, he was in prison/exile on the island, Patmos. He was there because of his faith. He was the only disciple to live to old-age, but he likely died in prison. A good question to consider is: Is it easier to be a martyr or a prisoner?


v. 10- In the Spirit- John was in fellowship with God, the Holy Spirit.
On the Lord's Day- By this time Christians no longer worshiped on the sabbath. They were worshiping on Sunday in honor of the resurrection of Jesus. That is why Sunday is referred to as the Lord's Day.
A voice as of a trumpet- The voice is not a trumpet, but is has some trumpet-like quality.


v. 11- What you see- The Revelation/ Apocalypse is literally what John saw in his vision.


v. 12- See the voice- Could John see the voice, or merely the source of the voice?


v. 13- seven lamp stands- seven once again represents perfection, or completion.
The Son of man is also a representation of perfection.


v. 16- two-edged sword- This is reminiscent of the two-edged sword in Hebrews 4.12. This represents the Word of God which includes the Bible.

v. 17- John's response to this visitation from God is humility. This is the only logical response that any of us can have when we encounter the Lord of life. Notice, though, that God tells John, "Do not fear." He is a loving and caring God.

v.18- The keys of death and hades- God has control of life and death. This is true for all people, in all places and at all times.

v. 19- "Prepare to write"- John was encouraged to tell, to communicate what he knew and what he was seeing. Likewise, we need to be telling, writing, sharing, communicating what we learn from God.

Bible Study: Revelation 1.1-8

John was the oldest of the original disciples. He was the only one that was still living at the time of Revelation. He was also the only one that was not killed for his faith. (Judas committed suicide, and so he is an exception as well.) John was living on the prison-island of Patmos when he received this message from Jesus.

V.1- Although the purpose of Revelation is not necessarily predictive, there is some prediction that is included in the book. "...must shortly take place..."

V. 3- "Reading and hearing..." The studying of the Bible, and the Revelation, is blessed by God. This means that all people should make Bible reading and study a priority in their lives.

V. 4- The seven churches in Asia- These churches were located in what is modern Turkey.
"who is and was and is to come." God is eternal. There is no beginning and no end to the life, reign and ministry of God.
The seven Spirits are not an indication of multiple Gods, but rather are symbolic of the completion, or perfection of God. The number seven represents completion.

V. 6- "kings and priests"- All Christians are called to a role of leadership in the body of Christ. Every person should learn where they fit in to serve and minister in the church.

V. 8- "alpha and omega"- These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and indicate the power of God, the completion and finality of God. He is the first thing and He will be the last thing.

Bible Study: Introduction to Revelation

Four things to consider when studying Revelation:

1. There is a difference between prophecy and apocalyptic literature. Prophecy can consist of either prediction or proclamation. We tend to think of prophecy, and the prophetic books of the Bible as merely predictive, but they are not necessarily so. Apocalyptic literature is a genre that uses cryptic language to obscure the author's message. Revelation is apocalyptic in nature and may or may not be predictive in a prophetic way.
2. When reading Revelation, or any other apocalyptic literature, the reader ought to interpret what he is reading consistently. So, for example, if you believe that the seven heads and ten horns are a symbol for something else, you should probably consider the Mark of the Beast and the number 666 as symbols for something else as well.
3. Make special note of similes, metaphors and analogies in Revelation. The author often makes use of these literary devices. When God's voice is describes as being like a trumpet, that does not mean that God's voice is a trumpet. It means that His voice has some sort of trumpet-like quality.
4. Many people believe that Revelation has a future and a present interpretation. This means that John had a message that was true for 1st Century believers living under Roman occupation. That message also has an application for 21st century believers and perhaps a future fulfillment as well.