Church Letters

Rev. 2:4

The Church at Ephesus

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

 

Jesus gave this letter to the angel of the Ephesians to deliver to the church. Jesus remembers their toil and doctrinal purity. They have tested those claiming to be apostles and found them false. They are patiently enduring and bearing up for His name's sake and have not grown weary So far sounds like a great letter and church! How many churches in America could live up to this? How many Christians could have this said of them?

 

Still in spite of all this, Jesus has a negative comment for them. They have lost their first love. What does this mean? Is it their love for Jesus? Has it been reduced to duty? Could it mean their love for one another? Or even both? He urges them to repent, to remember their former life and do the works they did at the first. This is an urging with teeth! Jesus says, If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Ouch!

 

Then He continues with sandwich psychology. Top slice of bread is positive, middle filling is negative, and final slice is positive. He remembers they hate the works of the Nicolaitans as does He. So much right, yet still heavy judgment. He ends by saying, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says. Listen and heed. Don't be foolish. Finally, He says to the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. Eternal life is the reward! Be a conqueror.

 

Lesson for me: Am I doing what is right without my heart engaged? Am I loving Jesus and His body as I should?

 

Rev. 2:10

The Church at Smyrna

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

Jesus identifies Himself as the first, the last, and the one who died and came to life. Could it be because of what they will have to endure? Perhaps reminding them of His life and that they must follow in His footsteps. He tells them that He knows their tribulation and poverty and the slander they have endured. Hard times! Yet, He tells them to endure to the end [when I am sure they wanted to hear they would be delivered]. Being delivered is not always the plan of God! They are instructed to be faithful unto death! Martyrdom after 10 days of intense persecution! How hard! God's grace in that moment would be theirs, that is if they endure. If they endure, the crown of life is theirs. Again He says listen and heed because the one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

 

Lesson for me: Am I ready for persecution? Could I stand until the end? Am I even now taking in the word to fortify my spirit and to be rooted and grounded in love?



 

The Church at Pergamum

Rev. 2:16

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

 

Jesus identifies Himself as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword, the Logos, the word of God that is living and active...piercing to the division of soul and of Spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Sadly, this church dwells where Satan's throne is, where much evil and false teaching is. Yet they still claim the name of Jesus and Antipas, a faithful witness, was martyred for his faith. But is this enough? To claim the name without the life is not paradoxical but wrong!

 

Jesus has two things against this church. One, some are holding the teachings of Baalam, a prophet who wanted gain [$] even at the cost of disobedience. The end result for Israel was eating unclean food and sexual immorality. If they were allowing these teachings, certainly these people were practicing these deeds. Second, some are following the teachings of the Nicolaitans. Essentially, they are following false teachers that are destroying their lives. So why does He come with the Sword? Because the Word of God can expose all this and bring sure and swift judgment. I also notice that it is not all of the church, but some within the church. This church is struggling with unity. Again Jesus says, listen or He will come soon and judge with the Sword of His mouth. The reward for this church is hidden manna [in place of food sacrificed to idols] and a white stone with their name one it that no one knows except the one who received it. [ the stone given to the victors at the games]

 

Lesson: Search all doctrine and teaching in the Word. Make sure it follows the Word. Am I allowing any impurity in my life? Repent don't let it ride!

 

Father,

These letters are hard revealing sins that are in most people. Have Your Spirit reveal to me the sin that is in my life so that I might repent. Grant me this repentance and change my heart.

In the name of the two-edged Sword,

Amen