In the past two weeks, I tried to share what I learned at our Bible study on the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. This week, we delved into the 2nd and 3rd chapter of the book, where Apostle John, who was commissioned to write what He saw in a vision, was clearly directed to what to write in a letter to each of the seven churches in Turkey.
Even though, John was asked to write to those practically existing churches in Turkey at that time, it could well apply to churches at large throughout the age, including the ones in our time and within our communities.
It was Christ, who introduced Himself to John in the vision as "I am the First and the Last" commissioned John to write these letters. Interestingly, in the salution of each letter, Christ introduce Himself by a different name. Written to the attention of the leader of the church, each letter has the components of salution, commendation and /or cendemnation, exhortation and the promise of rewards to those who overcome.
To the church of Ephesus, Christ introduces Himself as the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walk among the seven golden lampstands. He commends the church for its hard work, perseverence, resisting sin, discerning false prophets among the believers and enduring patiently without quitting on its faith. Yet, there was one flaw- a big one, maybe a giant one in the Lords eyes for He says, "Yet, I hold this against you; You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first." Ooops! That's a mega one.
We would have stood in awe before such a church which was working hard, growing larger, living with no scandals, outsteading trouble makers and false teachers and persevering in good faith. We would have ranked them top in the chart. But the Lord's eyes which could see through the depth of the hearts found them error in one vital thing. They had lost their initial passion for the Lord in a big way. In their busyness of working hard to build up the church, they have slided in their devotion. Such a decline in devotion wasn't a small matter in Christ's mind. The rest of the good deeds put together couldn't suffice this missing part. Even though the church had been functional and doing great to onlookers eyes, it had become somewhat robotic spiritually.
Warning given-If the church doesn't repent, it will be rooted out from its place.
Reward promised: To him, who overcomes, the right to eat from the Tree of Life in the paradise of God.
Question: Have I slided back in my love towards God?
Have I become too busy working and serving the Lord that I've no time to spend time with
Him alone?
Time to think, confess and get back to the Lord with love and devotion. Toiling for God without much devotion towards Him bring no joy to Him or to me.
To the church of Smyrna, Christ introduces Himself as the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
He commends them for being rich spiritually despite their poverty and affliction in the world.
He warns them of the persecution they're going to face for His sake for a short time, but He encourages them to be strong and not be fearful even to the point of death.
Reward promised: Crown of life; They wouldn't be hurt by the second death.
Question: Am I spiritually rich as the church of Smyrna, which was well pleasing to Christ's eyes.
Is the church I attend helps me to become spiritually rich in their teaching and in fellowship?
Am I willing to be faithful unto my last breath or would I give into fear of opposition, humiliation or persecution and give up on my faith?
Do I consider the blessing of being Christ's follower slightly and for granted or am I so thankful and grateful for that?
To the Church of Pergamum, Christ introduces Himself as the One who has the sharp, double -edged sword.
He commends them for being faithful and true to His name inspite of living in an ungodly place where Satan and his ways have become norm and accepted. The church found favor in tth sight of the Lord, for not renouncing their faith inspite of seeing strong witness like Antipas being putting to death in their city.
Warning: Yet, there were some who profess to be Christ followers in the church, but who hold onto the teaching of some who tolerates sexual immorality and idol worship practices. Such pollution in the church was grievous to the Lord. Unless they repent, they would be fought with the truth of the Word and put to shame.
Reward promised: To him who overcometh, hidden manna and a white stone with a new name would be given. Only the one who receives the stone will know the name written on the stone.
Question: Am I in anyway polluting or compromising the truth of God?
Am I following the world's or Christ's way?
Do my action speak louder than my words to convey that I'm a follower of Christ?
Do I become judgemental and look down on everyone who don't agree with me or do I act in love as Jesus did?
To the church in Thyatira, Christ introduces Himself as the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and feet are like burnished bronze in the vision.
Commendation: The church is commended for its deeds, love, faith, service and perseverence. Also, they were commended for doing more than what they did at first.
Warning: Yet, there was something Christ wasn't pleased with- the tolerance towards a prophetess who misleads His servants by her teaching. Her acts to inco-operate sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols into the church were abnoxious in God's sight. Time was given for repentence. If not, she as well as her future generation will undergo terrible suffering.
To those who do not give into the prophetess' teaching, they were told to hold onto the truth till He comes.
Rewards Promised: To him who overcomes, he'll be given autority over the nations. He will be given the morning star-The Light.
Question: Am I giving into false teaching or easily swayed by the teaching of so many on television and airways, who call themselves Christian leaders, but their lives and motives are far away from Christ's?
Do I know the scripture enough to discern what is true and what is false?
Do I seek God's guidance for discernment?
Do I pray for my church and the churches in general so that they'll be protected from the lies and misleading of the evil one?
Or am the one quick to point my fingers in judgement rather than leaving the judgement to God and praying for clarity and the backslided ?
(Contd. with the next 3 churches in my next posting.)
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