The Seven Churches

So, what can we learn from these churches?  I broke down these churches individually on my Facebook posts recently, pointing out what their strengths and weaknesses were.    

He was speaking through each one.  We, the disciples of Jesus (the church), are to hear and listen to what the Spirit was saying.  Here’s the recap:

>EPHESUS LOST THEIR FIRST LOVE (Revelation 2: 1-7)

• We Love Because He FIRST LOVED Us. Spending time with those we love keeps our relationship fresh and strong. So, it is with the Lord.

>SMYRNA THE FAITHFUL CHURCH (Revelation 2: 8-11)

• WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH SO MUCH. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  God rewards faithfulness. His very name is “Faithful and True.” 

>PERGAMUM THE COMPROMISING CHURCH (Revelation 2: 12-17)

• WE ARE CALLED TO A LIFE OF UNCOMPROMISING FAITH.
  Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

>THYATIRA THE TOLERANT CHURCH (Revelation 2: 18-29)

• WE CANNOT TOLERATE EVERYTHING. Arrogance and pride will never again be tolerated in My holy mountain.  When we tolerate, we permit.  Love, faithfulness and service are nullified if we don’t repent from our sins. 

>SARDIS THE DEAD CHURCH (Revelation 3: 1-6)

• LIVING LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT WILL MAKE US ALIVE.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us. That’s alive, alive, alive forevermore.  Learn to yield to Him.  Being dead cannot happen when life is in our veins and in our entire being.

>PHILADELPHIA THE ENDURING CHURCH (Revelation 3: 7-13)

• PATIENT ENDURANCE BRINGS STRENGTH.  The one who endures to the end will be saved.  Patient endurance is what we need now, so that we will continue to do God’s will. Then we will receive all that He has promised. God’s faithful love endures forever. 

>LAODICEA THE LUKEWARM CHURCH (Revelation 3: 14-22)

• BEING LUKEWARM IS MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.  We are called to greater and higher things that are fueled by the oil and fire of the Holy Spirit. His essence is hot, hot, and hot. If we are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, Jesus says, “I will spit you out of My mouth.” Drinking warm water is not refreshing and difficult to swallow. Being “on fire for God” is keeping the first fiery love kindled. Even in the OT, before Moses was called to deliver, he was called to the fire of God. He still comes to save, deliver and heal.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  What the OT concealed, the NT reveals. 

What Was Next?  After hearing the messages to the churches, John sees the throne of God.  He describes in detail what he sees as he is called to “Come up here.”  One thing he sees is “Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.  These are the seven spirits of God.”  Revelation 4: 5b

Isaiah spoke of these as he prophesied about a shoot coming forth from the stump of Jesse, indicating Jesus.  He said, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord–and He will delight in the fear of the Lord.”  Isaiah 11: 2

The Spirit will endow Him with the wisdom to undertake wise purposes and with the power to carry them out. 

What About Us?  As I type this, I am reminded what we are told, “As He is, so are we.”  “He (God) sent His son into the world that we might live through Him.”  1 John 4: 9

Yes, we live through Him!  “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens…; but whoever is not from God does not listen…This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”1 John 4: 6  

“The Father will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–The Spirit of Truth.  The world cannot accept Him nor knows Him.  But you know Him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”  John 14: 16-17

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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com

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