John was instructed to write down everything he saw of the revelation of Jesus Christ and then send the report to the seven churches in Asia. These churches did exist and all were located in what we know as Turkey. Today they lie in ruins.
The seven different messages form a single message that is applicable for the church in every time and in every place. In essence, Jesus is encouraging each church body to examine itself in light of who He is and what He achieved through His death, burial and resurrection.
Each distinct message follows a pattern. First, Jesus addresses the “angel”, or the messenger, of the church. Then Jesus reveals something about Himself that ties to what John recorded in Revelation 1:12-16. This is followed by a “state of the church” analysis, complete with judgments against the church and a call to repentance.
The Message to Ephesus
Even though this church stood strong against heretical teaching and evil people, it had lost its first love. The revelation of Jesus to them is meant to draw them back to Christ and to the joy of experiencing His presence in their midst. After all, He is the One who walks among the seven lampstands.
The Message to Smyrna
The church was suffering mightily with more to come. Much of it was from Jews who stood in opposition to Christianity. The real source of the persecution was Satan. He is the one fixed on destroying God’s people. The message to this church was hope. The crown of life is waiting for those who overcome, who trust in the One who is “the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive.”
The Message to Pergamum
It was not easy to be a believer in Pergamum. Temptation surrounded this city. Jesus commended them for standing firm in the faith. He also warned them about compromise. A teaching had entered their circle that was leading many to idolatry and sexual sin. Jesus called them to repent, to realize that all they needed was found in Him – the manna of life and an eternal identity. Jesus’ word would bring that victory to them.
The Message to Thyatira
Jesus sees and knows everything. Nothing can be hidden from Him. He knew the church in Thyatira was improving in their faith, love, service and patience. He also knew they were entertaining heretical teaching. This heretical teaching had as its foundation shifting sand. Jesus encouraged this church to find its stability in Him, the One with the feet like polished bronze. The promise to those who overcame was authority and power and resurrection in Jesus Christ.
Revelation for You
- How do these messages to the churches apply to your life today?
- Why do you think Jesus began every message with a revelation of Himself?
- How would you summarize what Jesus is saying to the churches?
Philippians 3:1-11
New International Version (NIV)
No Confidence in the Flesh
3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Die daily to self, and be alive daily to God in the Spirit of God, which is through the Son. We get caught up in doing stuff and jump in front of the lead of God, and so we need to see Jesus as the only way, the only truth, and the resurrection is the life in the Spirit of God, the new life, born Again life, the only way that God the Father can be worshipped in Spirit and truth
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks
John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
It is all Jesus, so let us not take our eyes off of our savior, and see the Love bestowed upon us in his death he did this, and we tend to forget that by Christ we are made:
Colossians 1:22
But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—
Either ne appreciates this and becomes a doper by Faith in the finished work, or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!