From Revelation 1-3
Jesus has letters for seven churches. Each letter is prophetic. Jesus speaks through the Spirit who is inspiring John. Each letter follows a similar pattern. They describe Jesus. They praise, criticise, instruct and encourage the church.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
John explains he was commanded to write down an extraordinary vision he received (Rev 1.11). At the start John sees a majestic being, Jesus in all his glory and power. Jesus has some things to say to seven churches around Asia Minor.
What Jesus says to each church has a similar structure.
- They begin describing Christ,
- Things are said about the church:
- praise of good things, and
- criticism of its faults.
- Conclusion with a promise of rewards.
Not every address has all the features mentioned above.
2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (Rev 2.1-7)
‘Angel’. Presumably the church leader.
‘Cannot bear’. Jesus commends the Ephesians for persisting in some sort of work and having no tolerance for evil and false teaching.
‘Abandoned the love’. But the love they had for the Lord at first has waned. Jesus unhappy with the works they are doing now, wants them to repent and return to what they did at first.
Has your love and obedience for the Lord waned over time?
‘Lampstand’. At the start Jesus is described in terms of his authority over the seven churches. He warns them if they don’t repent he will remove the whole church. Their loss of love and failure to do the works Jesus wants threatens apostasy on a congregational scale.
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 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.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Rev 2.8-11)
‘Who died and came to life’. Jesus suffering and exaltation are mentioned.
‘Tribulation and poverty’. Despite their lack of worldly riches and suffering, Jesus acknowledges their spiritual wealth and commends them for their perseverance. Jesus does not find any fault in this church.
The righteous have no need of repentance (Lk 15.7).
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ (Rev 2.12-17)
‘Satan’s throne’. Jesus commends them for their endurance. Satanic forces stand behind the political powers of their world. These powers persecute the church and the church endures the suffering.
‘Teaching of Balaam’. But the church indulges in false teaching. Balaam led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality (Num 25.1-2; 31.16). The Nicolaitians are probably doing something similar. Jesus commands repentance and threatens judgment.
Words for Believers
The churches John writes too often betray characteristics of the cities in which they reside. This should remind us how easily we can reflect the values of the culture around us. Good and bad.
The church is meant to act like a preservative of the good in its surrounding culture (Mt 5.13-16). Sometimes the fate of a culture may depend on the behavior of the churches in it (Gen. 18:20–32).
- How would Jesus describe himself to your church?
- What would Jesus say in praise of your church?
- What would He criticise? Would you have to repent?
- What rewards would He offer for faithfulness?
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
