Revelation 2

The Ascended Jesus has a word for the churches. He writes to the messenger or “angel” of each church, the one who is charged to bring the Word of the King to that place.

First, to Ephesus: the One who is the God of creation and the Companion of His people tells the brothers and sisters there that He knows their past, and He knows where they are today. They have a heritage of hard work in the Lord. They have been willing to discern the difference between false and true teachers, and they have endured the attacks of those who will not abide in the truth. Yet they once had a love for their Lord that has somehow cooled.

This is a serious defect. Will they humble themselves before the Word of God and return to their first love? Will they repent and do the works that they did at first? These works of worship and service were fruits of true love for Christ. Do they still remember what it was like to love Him and to follow His commandments?

This drift away from true life with Jesus is an enemy to any congregation, and it must be conquered. In the Paradise of God above, the One who is the Tree of Life and who hung on the cursed tree of the cross, has never stopped loving them.

Second, to the church in Smyrna: the Man who died and came to life has a Word just for them. He knows their suffering and their poverty. Does that help you today to know that Jesus is aware of what you have endured for His Name? Some who consider themselves the only true Jews are telling this church in Smyrna that they are nothing, but in the eyes of the Messiah King they are something.

Jesus knows that they are about to suffer some more, but the duration of that trial will be comparatively brief. The eternity of God's blessings for His servants are beyond measure. If you suffer for a generation now, just think of it as ten days. It is a brief test that will soon be over, and God has not lost His sovereign authority for even a moment.

Third, to the church in Pergamum: These beloved children of God are in a dangerous place. They need to listen carefully to the One who has the sharp two-edged sword of God's Word. An enemy is nearby, a fallen angel that considers their city to be the place of his throne, and maybe he is right. Yet the witness of the Lord must continue even there. Will these brothers hold fast to the Name of God, or will they deny Him? They have the example of Antipas who gave his life for Christ in earlier days. Men like that should be remembered and imitated as they follow the King who died on a cross.

A place where Satan seems to reign is going to be a difficult place to live. The church there must expect that false teachers will be leading many toward immorality. They cannot be safely tolerated. They seem to have the keys to the city, but is their master really Christ, as they pretend? The church will need to be alert in the face of great spiritual danger. If they have already moved in a path that leads away from Jesus, it is time to turn back home and to travel toward the heavenly Zion again. In even the most demonic place, Christ will reign. What else can it mean when He assures His disciples that all power and authority have been given to Him?

Are you in a place of spiritual danger. Listen to God's Word. Take in the bread from heaven lest you be turned aside from the One who knows you and loves you. He has a Name for you in heaven. Won't you keep going on your journey?

Fourth, to the church in Thyatira, the Son of God has something to say. He knows what they do and who they are. He knows the depths of their souls and all their actions. He knows their works, their love, their faith, and their growth in humble service. But will they allow some Jezebel to ruin the church. She claims that she is the most spiritual woman, and that she knows the secrets that only God knows. But she is teaching a lie, and living out the unclean life. Somebody please stop this woman before she destroys the church. Is everyone afraid of her? Why? Christ is in you. Take courage.

Patience is good, but this woman has been given time to repent, and she is still doing her works of dangerous evil. The weak will be led astray unless someone has the boldness to stop her. Where are the leaders who are charged with protecting the church, feeding the flock, and saving them from ravenous wolves? They must find the strength of the One who was willing to face down the worst of adversaries.

This woman, or the movement that she stands for, will bring the Lord's discipline upon a church, discipline that could mean loss of life, if not a complete separation from the community of salvation. Even a small move toward transgression can be deadly. Evil is a lying harlot, and she needs to be confronted.

There are some in Thyatira who have not fallen for the filth that has infected so many. They need to step forward and be faithful if they care about their own lives and the life of the Christian movement in that city.

Christ died that we might have life, even abundant life. He did not face our hell just to see us back in the chains of immorality and error. Those who are aware of the danger we face in this age must cling to the Savior and His Word of grace. We will reign with Him over the nations. May we stand firm in His truth to the end, until that day when the Morning Star appears, and death must finally and utterly give way to the glory of eternal life.