In Revelation 2 and 3, John is communicating to each church, what Jesus wants them to know. In the study workbook I am using, Revealing Revelation, the author gives a template to follow in analyzing the seven churches. For each one, we answer four questions:
- Who is Jesus
- What Jesus knows
- Jesus’ warning
- Jesus’ promise
After doing some research on these churches and using this template this is what I came up with:
The Church in Ephesus
- He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven lampstands
- He knows their works, their labor, their patience and that they cannot bear evil. They have tested false apostles. They have not become weary.
- They had forgotten their first love, and if they did not repent, Jesus would remove their lampstand.
- Jesus promises the tree of life and paradise.
Ephesus had the best Bible teaching with sound doctrine, but I think they got caught up in the teaching and forgot to FEEL their relationship with God. Their love got stale and as we get distracted by everything happening in our lives, this can be a real danger for us, too. Remember when we first came to Christ and we were so on fire for the Lord? Do we still have that same fire today? And are we really focusing on our relationship with God and not just checking off the boxes without really feeling anything?
The Church in Smyrna
- the first and the last, died and came to life
- knows their tribulation and poverty, the slander against them, yet they remained faithful
- some will be thrown in prison and face 10 days of tribulation
- be faithful and He will give them the crown of life, salvation from the second death
This was the largest city in Asia minor and was a political center. Their chief export was Myrrh.
This church had me thinking about tribulation and suffering, mostly in terms of persecution. Comparatively, and in America, we don’t really know what persecution for our beliefs is, not like it was in Biblical times or even in present day, but in other countries. It really makes me think that I need to quit being lazy and serve the Lord.
The Church in Pergamum
- Him who has the sharp two-edged sword
- knows they dwell where satan dwells, but keep His name. Some were worshiping balaam and holding the teachings of the Nicolatians
- they were to repent or He would come with the sword of His mouth
- promised hidden manna, a new name, if truly repentant
Pergamum’s chief export was parchment. It was a city of wealth and knowledge. It had a university and a 200,000 volume library.
Biblical morality. I need to work at being diligent in righteousness, the Word and prayer – no compromise.
The Church in Thyatira
- the Son of God, eyes like the flame of fire, feet like burnished bronze
- knows their works, love, faith, service, patience, endurance, but there is immorality and toleration of sin
- will throw Jezebel into a sick bed, adulterers would face great tribulation if they did not repent
- promises to give to each according to their works, the righteous will have no burden and be given authority, given the morning star
Thyatira was very wealthy, known for its wool and dyes. They were known for the arts and has several guilds.
God wants us to choose Him, to turn to Him – He doesn’t force us. I think this is so beautiful. Repent Turn to God, away from sin. Lasting change.
The Church in Sardis
- Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars
- knows their works, alive, but dead, works not complete
- they were to repent or He would come like a thief against them
- the righteous will walk with Him in white, will be in the book of life forever
Sardis was known for textiles, dyeing and jewelry. They were also known for philosophy. They had a reputation that was actually false and undeserved, like the white washed tombs.
Are we all words and no action. Or is their action, but its empty and our heart condition doesn’t match? I need to be loving, welcoming, warm, passionate, prayerful, in the Word studying, using my spiritual gifts for God’s glory. Is their sacrifice? I think that is when I know I am truly serving the Lord – I need to be sacrificing something, whether its time, money, and hour less of sleep – whatever it is as long as it is for the Lord.
The Church in Philadelphia
- the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, the one who opens and shuts and no one can change that
- know their works, that they kept His Word and did not deny Him
- He will make others bow before them
- they will be kept from the hour of trial
Philadelphia was known for their vineyards and wine. He had nothing negative to say! Which is great since they were in a perfect location for evangelism.
To strive to be like the church in Philadelphia – I need to pray for this kind of strength and endurance along with opportunities to spread the Gospel.
The Church in Laodicea
- the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s Creation
- knows their works, knows they are neither cold nor hot
- He will spit them out of they do not repent, need to start being zealous for the Lord
- He will come to those that repent and eat with them, they will sit with Him on His throne
Laodicea, also wealthy, known for wool cloth.
I imagine God is frustrated with casual Christians. He wants us to be on fire for Him and the way we live our lives should reflect that. I think I end up falling into this casualness more often then I would care to admit. I need to remember that every good thing comes from God, my whole existence is because of God, so I should live for Him. Also, discipleship is our purpose in this broken world – this purpose should give me joy and peace. My study workbook said that there is gain in the denial of other things. Choosing to serve the Lord will give me eternity. Sacrificing time or money or some habitual sin is nothing compared to the reward in denying myself these things.
Food & Faith 