Messages to the churches
Background
7 Churches in 7 cities were sent letters. These churches had a concrete belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and they had a faith that was real. As the church we carry Christ’s reputation to the cities we live in. In Sri Lanka every now and then we have what you call feast and the Roman catholic church in certain area carry banners and walk in procession in a city trying to portray Christ character in that city or town however do we really show forth Christ or something else in our actions and our lives. What banner are we really raising to the public we expose ourselves too? Jesus isn’t looking for perfect churches but those you sincerely and whose faith in Him is genuine and those that will live and glorify Jesus Christ correctly in true worship. So each of the churches that are portrayed in the 2nd and 3rd chapters in Revelations say a lot about who they were and what they had become. Today I would say that what those churches portrayed were relevant to us and is a reflection for us on who we are and how we portray the church in our cities today. Let us learn and give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches. Let me give you an example I find the church in Colombo arrogant and self serving where as you go into the rural areas of my country the church is selfless and will give you even the shirt off their back with the little they possess. Their passion for God is unparalleled in comparison with the passion that people in Colombo have. Most will not give up their air conditioned comfort to sit under the heat of the sun hearing a message in Sinhala and Tamil. How sad there is a lot to learn and these letters to the churches will hopefully open our eyes to a bigger picture we live in.
The Churches were all located in Asia minor and the order in which the letters were written was as if the messenger travelled from church to church in a geographical manner.
The 7 stars referred to signify the Angels of the7 churches
The 7 lampstands referred to churches themselves
It is amazing that as I began to refresh my memory by re reading these messages I realized how relevant it was for me personally and for us today and the churches we belong to. Jesus obviously walked amongst the churches and knew them inside out. However the churches themselves had no idea that He was doing this. He studied them closely and decided to send out a commendation and with it a warning as well. Jesus message is still applicable for today.
Let me use the words of Jesus and say”… He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches Revelation 2:7
Each of the letters has a similar outline and starts and ends almost the same.
Each letter starts with the following:
Christ’s Identification – Jesus reveals and aspect of whom He is to the church
Christ’s Commendation – He has watched and knows who and how the church functions
Christ’s Rebuke – He rebuke the church by giving them an option to change
Christ’s Exhortation – He warns them
Christ’s encouragement – He says if it’s done there will be a reward
Ephesus – Rev 2:1-7
Christ’s Identification – He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
Christ’s Commendation – I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have become weary. Rev 2:2-3
Christ’s Rebuke – Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Christ’s Exhortation – Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Christ’s encouragement – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
The Church at Ephesus received a great commendation yet they has forgotten the most important thing intimacy with Christ. The Lord rebuked them and asked them to turn from whatever took the place of intimacy and to pursue it once more. If we can get that right everything else in our lives gets sorted but we seem to sacrifice intimacy for programmes and more programmes. How many programmes do we hold just to pursue intimacy with Him.
The church in Ephesus probably allowed the busyness of their traditions and the many programmes to take the place of their love for Jesus. The Lord uses the word forsaken which in the Greek is the word ‘aphiemi’ which means to forgive or give up or let go. Matthew 6:12 it talks about forgiving those who trespass against us and the same word is used even there. What is He really saying to us? It could be that the over-crowding of our minds with bitterness, hurt and anger we have allowed unforgiveness to creep in which eventually caused intimacy with Christ to be forsaken.
A movie called Frozen was in the highlight last year and the main theme song was “Let it go” we need to let go of everything else and cling on to Him. If you find intimacy in Him you would have everything else you need. Sadly we seem to put the cart before the horse in everything. Ask Him to help you love Him more than anyone or anything else so that your lampstand is fuelled by passionate love for Him. If we don’t we will be like the light bulb that lighs for a time and burn out at another
Pray with me: Father God help me to fall in love with you all over again so everything in my life is fuelled and made perfect from my relationship of intimacy with you. Forgive me for allowing this intimacy to have got lost today I want to change the way I do things. I want to pursue you with passionate love and intimacy. Help me Lord I pray in Jesus Name. Amen
