As we concluded “The Dove” series, we took a look at the common phrase mentioned repeatedly in the book of Revelation. That phrase spoken to each of the seven churches was, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
So, let’s look at what the Spirit was saying.
John, on the island of Patmos, was given this vision as he heard behind him a loud voice like a trumpet telling him to write what he sees and hears. As he heard the voice, he said, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.” Revelation 1: 13
Yes, John was seeing Jesus, the Son of Man, before him in His glory.
He testified, “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” Revelation 1: 14-15
What did Jesus, the Son of Man, hold within His hand?
“In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1: 16
Well, after seeing the Son of Man, John hits the floor at the feet of Jesus, who places His right hand on him. He tells John not to be afraid and that He is the First and Last and the Living One, and alive forevermore with the keys of death and Hades. He then tells John to “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation 1: 19
Are you wondering what the lampstands are about?
After that, Jesus then tells him of the mystery and says this: “The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Revelation 1: 20
There’s our answer. The seven lampstands are the seven churches.
The messages to the churches we can still learn from today. Let’s list them in order and see if their issues could be some indication of what’s going on today and what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Let’s learn from these churches.
- Ephesus-–The church that had forsaken its first love. (Revelation 2: 1-7)
- Hard work and perseverance were included in this church. A church that is sound in doctrine should be fluent in God’s agape love too. Having both is necessary.
- Pure and first-love devotion to God honors Him. It’s important that we don’t put “what we do for Him” above “who we are in Him.” Don’t lose that wholehearted devotion to Jesus. Serving Him from a place of love instead of Christian duty is of high importance.
- Fully committed and fully sold-out Christians come from this first love. First-love believers are in His Word, devoted to prayer, full of joy and eager to share Jesus. They ooze Jesus as newborn followers of Jesus and love His presence.
2. Smyrna––The church that was faithful but would suffer persecution. (Revelation 2: 8-11)
- Persecution that was coming to this church was from the devil, yet God allowed it. God uses trials and sufferings to purify us and make us more like Jesus.
- These believers were faithful yet tested, and they passed the test. If we conform so much to the world, the purpose of the test will not purify us. Hardship is part of being a Jesus follower.
- Persecution in those days meant possible death. Anything that we suffer for the cause of Christ will never be wasted, even if we don’t understand it.
- Remain faithful as He is faithful.
3. Pergamum–This church compromised their walk and needed to repent. (Revelation 2: 12-17)
- This church began by holding fast to faith in Jesus, despite the fact of living in a very difficult and idolatrous city.
- Hold fast to faith in the name of Jesus no matter what influence comes against you.
- Idolatry and immorality had crept into the church. Being too tolerant and accepting of false doctrines is not pleasing to the Lord, so he had to rebuke them. It was like they were now married to the world.
- Compromising can cause us to take a stand lower than what we are called to take. The Bible should always be the standard and guideline that we live by. We can live by His standard if we allow the Holy Spirit to live through us. Be yielded and obedient.
4. Thyatira-–The church that grew in love, faith, patience, and service but tolerated a false prophetess who was among them. (Revelation 2: 18-29)
- This church was good at modeling love and service but allowed the work of Jezebel, a false prophetess, to lead others into immorality and idolatry. This woman lured many into corruption and away from purity of servanthood, rejected the work of the Holy Spirit in her life, and did not repent.
- Tolerating deception opens the door to the enemy’s deceptive ways. He is a liar and a deceiver and delights in stealing the unity and bond in the Holy Spirit.
- Pay attention and be discerning of folks who try to lure us away from being unified and bonded in the Spirit. They deceive and seek to isolate one from another and from the pure, whole-hearted devotion to God. Their words are cunning and seek to separate, bringing division and chaos.
- Yes, unfortunately, this Jezebel spirit is in the church. The targeting motive is to bring false accusations and divisiveness. Gossip can be its avenue to feed and thrive upon. Stand clear and do not engage or participate with this manipulating, controlling spirit, or we will be pulled in and under its demonic influence, entangling a web around us.
- Remember, spiders create webs to trap insects to be their food. Once the insects are caught in their sticky webs, they use their fangs to inject venom.
- Hold fast and continue to do what is good until Jesus returns. Being faithful is a weapon.
5. Sardis—The church that had fallen asleep. (Revelation 3: 1-6)
- This church looked like it was alive, but it was dead spiritually. It is never too late to turn things around.
- When there is no significant threat to the devil’s domain, there was no need for an attack to occur. Suffering assaults and attacks from the enemy indicates that our lives are a threat to the kingdom of darkness because we carry the kingdom of light within us.
- Be watchful and alert. The things that still remain can be revived and strengthened. There will be a remnant of those who have not defiled their garments and who have not fallen asleep spiritually.
6. Philadelphia–-The church that had endured patiently. (Revelation 3: 7-13)
- This church has a name that means “brotherly love.” Such an appropriate name for a church.
- Jesus reminded them that He is holy and true and holds the key of David. They served Him well in difficult times and patiently endured and persevered.
- Open doors were seen and walked through by these believers. God will place an opportunity before us, but it’s up to us if we will walk through it. These folks scored high in that area.
- Not only did they walk through those doors, even with little strength, but also kept His Word and did not deny His name. Servanthood requires us to rely and depend on the strength of the Spirit, not man’s ability.
- We are all called to serve Him but also to live in a way that’s faithful to His name and character. Character is of great importance in the Kingdom of God.
- Jesus actually had nothing negative to say about this church. He did exhort them to hold fast to what you have so that no one can take your crown.
The Hour Of Trial
Could Jesus be alluding to the Great Tribulation and rapture in His letter to the church in Philadelphia? Here’s what He said, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” Revelation 3: 10
One commentary said it this way: “Those who believe that Jesus will come for His church before this time of Great Tribulation note that protection is promised from the very hour of trial, not just the trial itself.” (Guzik) This, fellow believers, we call “The Rapture.”
How do we hold fast?
- Don’t depart from our solid foundation.
- See open doors as an evangelistic opportunity.
- Rely on God and the strength of His Spirit.
- Remain faithful to Jesus.
The crown mentioned above is a crown of victory.
One commentary had this to say: “Never forget that the man most likely to steal your crown is yourself. ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.’ (Proverbs 4: 23) You are in no greater danger from anyone or anything than from yourself.” (Havner)
Let’s look at the final church addressed, the church of:
7. Laodicea--The church that grew too comfortable and was lukewarm. (Revelation 3: 14-22)
- This church was neither faithful nor true.
- They were lukewarm, significant of being indifferent, neither hot nor cold, playing the “middle of the road.”
- Playing the “middle of the road” is trying to please the world and Jesus. We cannot do both. We are” “in” the world, but not “of” it, as followers of Jesus.
- Being indifferent is having a lack of concern. We are called to greater things and greater works, which are fueled by the oil and fire of the Holy Spirit.
- When a church is lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, Jesus is on the outside, knocking on the door to get in.
Isn’t it interesting that the letters written to these churches were seven in number? Seven is the number of being complete.
Jesus so desires to be complete in us, not have us compete for position. If we take our eyes off Him, we will compete with others.
So, how can we learn from this:
Saints of God, the church, keeping our hearts surrendered to Jesus is the only way to live. Be a light and let the Spirit and love of God shine through you, and He will make you complete in Him.
Jesus told us earlier, through His servant John:
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17: 23
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