Thirsty4Truth

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 we read of letters to the 7 churches. People have different understandings of the meaning of these letters; some say they were only meant for the churches of the time of writing, others say that each church represents an era, and that we are living in the last era, but few people believe that the letters to all seven churches are meant for us, just as much as they were meant for the churches at the time.

At the end of each letter is the phrase, "He that hath an ear, let him hear..." Whenever that phrase is used in the Bible it simply means that there is a deeper meaning behind what is actually said, in this case I believe it is there because it is meant for all of us.

Lets briefly examine each letter and see what we can learn from them.

The first letter is to the church of Ephesus, and it says this:

"I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:" Rev. 2:2.

"And Hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." Rev. 2:3.

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left they first love." Rev. 2:4.

"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Rev. 2:5.

"But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." Rev. 2:6.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7.

Here was a church perfect before God, or almost perfect. They had done everything except kept their first love, which means they were not on fire as they were when the church was first born.

They were preaching the right things, they were doing all the right things, they were patient and even exposed false religion. But because the fire had died down, God told them to repent, or else He would remove the candlestick.

The candlestick represents the light the church is to be to the world. So if they don't start working with the same enthusiasm as they did in the beginning, then God will remove that light from them so that they no longer can be a witness, or a light to the world. Even though they themselves are saved, they will not be effective in bringing others to God, because God will be finished with them as a church.

So what is the first love, and what kind of enthusiasm does God expect from us today? It's very simple, all we need to do is look back on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples. They were so excited they couldn't keep it in, they started preaching, and some people thought they were drunk, because of the way they preached.

They got together everyday, praising and worshiping God. They didn't go to church everyday, but they got together in each others' houses, they shared what they had so that no one lacked anything. They were driven by the Spirit and no one could tame them.

When Paul and Silas were sent to prison, they had so much joy in their heart, that they started singing, even though they knew that the next day they were to be executed. The circumstance they were in, did not bring them down, instead they were lifted up to an even higher place.

This message is for all of us today, if we are not on fire for God and do not bring the gospel to people in this manner, then God will not allow us to be effective witnesses. Non-believers just are not convinced at the testimony or preaching of a half-hearted Christian. They need to see the light either coming from another believer, or from God Himself.

He then gives the promise to those who overcome, that they will be given from the tree of life.

The second letter is to the church of Smyrna, and goes as follows:

"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." Rev. 2:9.

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 2:11.

Here is a church which had done well in the eyes of the Lord. God is basically telling them that they will be persecuted and even put to death by other religions, but He will give them a crown of life.

Today there are many people put to death because of their religious belief, and not necessarily just Christians, but people of all religions and faiths.

And again He promises that those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death.

The third letter is to the church of Pergamos:

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." Rev. 2:13.

"But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication." Rev. 2:14.

"So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." Rev. 2:15

"Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Rev. 2:16.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Rev. 2:17.

This is a church that was partially fallen. Satan had taken his seat amongst the righteous and was persecuting them. Several false teachings had already made their way into the church, and the leaders were allowing it. God is basically telling them to repent or else He will fight against the false doctrines.

This is exactly what is going on in the churches today. Even though there are sincere Christians who go to church, there are also many who practice false doctrines. And the sad part is that both of these types of Christians can attend the same church and no one seems to notice those who are worshipping the false gods.

Here God promises that He will come and fight against all those who worship satan. This will happen during the fall of the Great City Babylon. A promise is also given to those who overcome, that they will be given of the hidden manna (the hidden gospel) and a new name.

The fourth letter to the church of Thyatira:

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." Rev. 2:19.

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Rev. 2:20.

"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not." Rev. 2:21.

"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds." Rev. 2:22.

"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." Rev. 2:23.

"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden." Rev. 2:24.

"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come." Rev. 2:25.

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:" Rev. 2:26.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 2:29.

In this church it was the leaders who had gone astray, trying to seduce the rest of the church. But the rest of the church is told to hold fast to what they have and continue in the works of Jesus.

Those that overcome and do not give in to the false teachings will be given power over the nations.

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; "These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." Rev. 3:1.

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." Rev. 3:2.

"Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. I therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." Rev. 3:3.

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." Rev. 3:4.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Rev. 3:5.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 3:6.

The church of Sardis was dead, but amongst the people it had the name that it was alive. They had received the right gospel, but they weren't watching or doing the works they were to do. There was only a few people within that church who were true followers of God.

From this example we can learn that not all churches which are respected and looked at as being the right one are of God.

The sixth letter was sent to the church of Philadelphia:

"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Rev. 3:8.

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." Rev. 3:9.

"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. 3:10.

"Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11.

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of God..." Rev. 3:12.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 3:13.

Philadelphia was a small church with little strength, but God loved this church because they had remained true to him and kept His words.

The lesson is that just because a church is small does not mean that God is not with those people. It also is God's way of telling us that the TRUE church of God will be small because there are very few who are interested in the truth.

The last letter to the Laodiceans:

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." Rev. 3:15.

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev. 3:17.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" Rev. 3:17.

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; an anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:18.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:19.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. 3:21.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 3:22.

The Laodicean church was rich with worldly goods, but were poor spiritually. They were blind and naked, because they did not have God. They were living in sin.

God is standing at the door and knocking. He's offering them forgiveness of sins, spiritual blessings and He wants to open their eyes. In the same way God is knocking on everyone's heart door today wanting to come in.

Every church is given a promise to those who overcome, and in chapter 3:21 He explains that we must be an overcomer like Jesus. Jesus overcame sin, temptation, this world, and satan himself. In the same way we are to overcome the things which Jesus overcame. If we don't overcome, then we will never enter in. The only way that we can overcome is with the help of the Holy Spirit, we need to hold fast to the word of God and do His works, and not the dead works of the church.

Notice there were seven letters sent out to seven churches, and only two of them had remained true to the word of God. The church of Smyrna, and Philadelphia were the only two not given a warning to repent, or that they were in danger of falling or loosing their light. Smyrna was poverty stricken, but God said they were rich, because they had eternal life, and Philadelphia was a small and weak church, but they had kept the faith.

All other churches were given strong warnings to repent, or to watch that they do not fall. These churches were the first ones planted after the resurrection of Jesus. The people within these churches were witnesses to the crucification and resurrection of Jesus. They saw miracles being performed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and yet in a few years time, satan was ruling in them. They called themselves Jews, (or Christians) but were not, and will face punishment one day.

It is almost 2000 years since the church era began, and it makes me wonder, how many churches have remained true to the word of God. All but two had fallen away in about thirty years or so. Based on that, how many do you think are still standing for God today?

The Bible says that by their fruits we will know them. All we have to do is look to see if they are walking in the footsteps of Jesus, and if they're teaching the same things Jesus taught. If they do not teach the same things which Jesus taught, then you can be certain that they do not walk in the footsteps of Jesus and satan has taken his seat within that church.

If you find yourself in a church that does not teach you to walk as Jesus walked, you must bring it to the attention of the elders. If they don't repent, and continue with their own doctrines, then you must leave. Even if there isn't another church for you to attend, you are safer at home, alone with God, then in a church where satan has taken a seat.