April 26, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Revelation? Here’s today’s reading:
Revelation 2 (NIV)
To the Church in Ephesus
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary...........Continue Reading
Ephesus is the first church our Lord speaks to. Ephesus a city full of trade. Goddess. And lots of immorality. Lost their first love. Seems like the generation that Paul worked with had passed on and maybe the next generation had lost their zeal for God. Certainly reminds of 50 years ago. No one was on the streets on Sunday morning. Everyone at church. Only a few small stores open. As a nation we have lost our first love. But still many strong believers praying for this country. Smyrna. City with many Jews against Christianity. And non Jews that were loyal to Rome. Tough place to be a Christian. Synagogue of satan. Imagine that. Jews serving the work of satan. Jesus praises them for their faith in the face of persecution. Another tough spot. Pergamum. Many idols and devil worshipping. Notice that the lord points out to each church their strengths and their weaknesses. How would the Lord’s letter to us look? Church of thyatira. Tolerating the woman jezebel. Obviously adultery and immorality. A big deal, and also His many people getting hurt physically and emotionally. Not to mentioned. Grieving the holy spirit.
The teaching of the seven churches as actual churches at the time and also the whole church age seems to make sense. All the teachings over the years that I have heard agree that this is what it is. It wouldn`t apply to us if it wasn`t except for spiritual application. I looked it up and these are the times for each church throughout the church age. Ephesus —-Apostolic church [ AD30–100 ], Smyrna—Persecuted church [ AD100–313 ], Pergamum—State church [ AD313–590 ], Thyatira—Papal church [ AD590–1517 ], Sardis—Reformed church [ AD1517–1730 ], Philadelphia—Missionary church [ AD1730–1900 ], and Laodicea—Apostate church [ AD1900–to present day ]. To each church an angel highlight`s a different thing off of the description of Christ such as to the Ephesus the introduction is These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. The intro changes with each church. Also after each statement of I know your works he says something different. In Ephesus [ I know your works and labour, and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them which are evil —-etc. But has also something against them for they have lost their first love. A check here is how is our love for Jesus/ The church in Smyrna I know your works , and tribulation, and your poverty [ but thou art rich ]. To this church he doesn`t say I have something against you. To the church in Pergamos I know your works , and where thou dwellest , even where Satan`s seat is; and thou holdest fast in my name, and hast not denied my faith —-etc. But does have something against them. Those that hold the doctrine of Balaam and those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. To the church in Thyatira I know your works , and charity, and service and faith , and thy patience, and the last to be more than the first. But also has something against them. You allowed that women [ Jezebel ] who called herself a prophetess , to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Reference back to these churches in the church age. I think it makes it clearer.
Thanks for that explanation, Dennis.
Revelation 2
Jesus begins to address the seven churches and each one reminds me of a report card of sorts. They each begin with an introduction to the power and person of Jesus and then goes on with strengths and weaknesses in their people. I guess we can find parts of ourselves in these churches and perhaps the sins that so easily beset us in our own walks with Him. They also give direction and expectations from Jesus, what is to come and what role they will play in it.
I don’t ascribe to the teaching that these churches represent the state of the church in certain periods of history. The connections are not consistent and as neat as they propose. I think there are things here for the church in all ages to learn as we imagine Jesus addressing things that we struggle with or do well collectively or personally. It is interesting that each piece of instruction to the church starts with a description of Jesus and ends with a reward that comes for faithfulness. Many of the churches are shown strengths and weaknesses which reminds us there is always room for improvement and we must be intentional about how we conduct ourselves as a body and as individuals. The churches are most often complimented for their faithfulness to the things of God, for their addressing wickedness and deception in various forms, and persevering in persecution. The churches are corrected for not doing those things or doing the opposite. What sticks out to me most is the whole idea of not losing our passion for Jesus and the things of God. How easy it is for us to get lulled by routine and familiarity and not continue to be enthralled, inspired and convicted by the things of God. How important to continue to remain sharp in how we conduct ourselves as believers. It also strikes me that we need to take sin seriously and not let the temptation of the world and the things the world falls into so easily catch us in its grip. And lastly we need to continually be on the guard for deception. So many times in these sections these churches do that well or poorly. It is a primary thing that Jesus warned about when He talked about the end. That is why it is so important to be in the word and in the Spirit. Both will help us stay true to the things of God.
Revelations 2
The messages to the churches are all given to John directly from Jesus Christ. The Ephesians worked hard, did good deeds and persevered in trial, but they abandoned the passion they had for Jesus when they first heard the gospel message. Jesus wants us to live our lives with the love we had for him when we were first saved. The church in Smyrna will suffer persecution but Jesus wants them to know that they are being tested by Satan and they will overcome it. They may still die, but they will be richly rewarded in heaven. Pergamum is in a wretched place where Satan is prevalent. They suffer much persecution to the point of death, but they will not renounce his name. Yet they are asked to repent for following false teachings. Thyatira is also tolerating false teaching. Jesus will be against those people who misrepresent his Word both then and now.
Good stuff
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The world is so vast and Jesus’ churches are so different. Every tribe, tongue, nation, culture,etc. worships and lives in different circumstances. I think it would be more likely that these churches represent Christ’s churches in different geographical locations rather than time periods; their qualities could apply to any church at any time or location.
We as American Christians are too ignorant of churches in other nations that suffer persecution, that must stand up for their faith, not with just words but actually suffering the implications of being a believer, maybe losing a job, property, family, being imprisoned, etc. It seems like this might become a reality for us here. Put on the full armor of God.
Revelations. 2
Jesus says be faithful for 10 days while being persecuted even to death and I will give you the crown of life. He who over comes will not be hurt at all by the second death. He who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches.
The angel of the church in Philadelphia. I know your deeds . I have put before you an open door that no one can close. He says I know you have little strength Yet you have kept my word and not denied my name. Those that have denied Jesus are liars he says they will bow down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. he says since you have kept my commands to endure patiently. I will also keep you from the trials that the whole world will be tested on. He states not to let anyone take your crown. To the Church in Laodicea You are neither hot or cold . He wishes that they were one or the other. . He will spit them out of his mouth. Be earnest and repent If you hear my voice and open the door we will eat together. Again he states he who has an ear let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.