But as an individual church, we can reflect one or more of the
characters and/or behaviors that some of these seven churches in the book of Revelations
had. The, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the
Spirit and understand what HE is saying to the churches”[1] statement repeated seven times, can’t be taken lightly for its God
Himself who’s speaking, and there’s a personal message from God for each
one of these seven types of churches. As you read about them, search yourself and choose
which ever reflects your character the most, and doing this, God’s message for
you will be revealed.
I have to
say, this is NOT an easy message for some who might still have issues that aren’t
pleasing to God. BUT, it’s God’s Warning for us to deal with those attitudes and
issues NOW, before HE comes. So, buckle
up!|
Ephesus
|
·
You are a
hard worker
·
Have a patient
endurance.
·
You don’t
tolerate evil people.
·
You have
examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not discovering
they are liars.
·
You have
patiently suffered for ME without quitting.
|
1) Because you don’t love me or
each other as you did at first, you have fallen!
2) Turn back to ME and do the works you did at
first.
3) If you don’t
repent, I will come and remove your lampstand (meaning my
spirit/guidance/light)
|
|
Smyrna
|
·
I know about your suffering and your poverty
·
I know the blasphemy of those
opposing you.
|
1) Don’t be afraid of what you are
about to suffer.
2) The devil will throw some of you
into prison to test you.
3) You will suffer for some days.
4) But IF you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
|
|
Pergamum
|
·
You live
in a place where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to ME.
·
You
refused to deny ME
·
You also tolerate
some among you whose teaching is about how to trip up the people of God.
· And others who taught to sin by eating food offered to
idols and by committing sexual sin.
|
1) Repent of your sin, or I
will come to you
|
|
Thyatira
|
·
I
have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient
endurance.
· I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
·
You’ve allowed the Jezebel spirit to lead MY servants astray by teaching others
to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.
|
1) I’ve given them time to repent, but they do not want to turn away
from their immorality, therefore,
2) I will throw them on a bed of suffering
3) Whoever commits adultery with them will suffer
greatly unless they repent and turn away from their evil deeds.
4) I will strike their children dead.
5)
You who
have not followed this false teaching, you hold tightly to what you have
until I come.
6) To all who are
victorious, who obey ME to the
very end, to them I will give authority over all the
nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash
them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning
star! (meaning HE will
impart to them HIS own glory and a share in his own royal dominion)
|
|
Sardis
|
·
You have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead; your actions
do not meet the requirements of my God.
|
1) Wake up!
2) Strengthen what little remains,
for even what is left is almost dead.
3) Go back to what you heard and
believed at first; hold to it firmly.
4) Repent and turn to ME again.
5) If you don’t wake up, I will
come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
|
|
Philadelphia
|
·
You have
little strength, yet
·
You obeyed
MY word and
· Did not deny ME
·
You have obeyed MY command to persevere.
|
1) I know all the things you do, and I
have opened a door for you that no one can close.
2) Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue…They will acknowledge that you
are the ones I love.
3) I will protect you from the great time of testing that will
come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.
4) Hold on to what you have, so
that no one will take away your crown.
5) All who are victorious will
become pillars in the Temple of my GOD, and they will never have to leave
it.
6) I will write on them the name of my GOD, and they will be citizens in
the city of my God
7) I will also
write on them MY new name.
|
|
Laodicea
|
·
You are
like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold
·
You say,
‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’
·
You don’t
realize it but you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
|
1) I will spit you out of my mouth!
2) I advise you to buy gold from me[1]—gold that has been purified by
fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from ME so you will not be shamed by
your nakedness and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.
3) I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn
from your indifference.
4) IF you hear MY voice and open the door, I will
come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
5) Look! I stand at the door and knock.
6) Those who are victorious will sit with ME on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with MY Father on HIS throne.
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