The Amazing, Sharp, and Informative Letters to the Seven Churches

The Amazing, Sharp, and Informative Letters to the Seven Churches

Part 1

When we think about it, we realize that from all these letters we can learn with all clarity and all reliability, how Jesus judges our life and our ministry.

The letters to the seven different churches, in which the state of affairs was extremely varied, came directly from heaven by way of the apostle John. Here we have the most desirable opportunity to be instructed by both the good and the bad that was in these seven churches.

The treasure that these seven letters must be for us! It is important to take them to heart!

The first thing we can learn is that the Lord is interested in our works. It is of little avail to believe in the atonement and claim the blood of Christ and grace and love if they have not produced a new life whose works are perfect before God! We see this with all clarity!

All these letters begin with, “I know your works . . .” and end with, “He who overcomes . . . ,” that is, he whose works are found perfect and blameless before God.

From these letters we can learn what God considers praiseworthy and what He considers objectionable. Likewise, the ministry can be objectionable even though one’s personal life is in order. And the leading brothers are similarly fully responsible for making sure that no harmful activity takes place in the church; for example, that no Jezebel is allowed to rule and that no one holds harmful doctrines.

It is also of no avail to have several good attributes if you simultaneously have several bad ones. We can also learn an especially good and necessary lesson through these letters; namely, that it is not good enough to be only gentle and forbearing. You must also be firm, decisive, and strict. Otherwise you are, so to speak, just half a man; and half a man is not a man.

Gentle and strict at the right time, in the right way, and in the right amount: that is perfection.

Each individual leader in these seven churches was first praised for what was praiseworthy. Next, if there was anything for which he could be blamed, the Lord blamed him for what was blameworthy.

The leader of the church in Ephesus was praised for his labors, for his patience, that he could not bear (approve of) those who were evil and that he had tested those who said they were apostles, but were not. He had found them liars. (See also 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.) This was praiseworthy! He was to continue doing that! In other words, he lived according to this word, “Be courageous, be strong!” Most people are weak and indulgent. They draw back from ministries that are unpleasant, that can easily arouse contradiction and opposition from those who lack firmness and wisdom. In Revelation 2:3 he is praised again for his perseverance and patience. He obviously possessed several distinctly good and praiseworthy qualities. Besides all this, verse 6 tells us that he was like the Lord in hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans.

No false apostle or professional preacher was allowed to speak in this church, neither any Jezebel, nor anyone spreading false and harmful doctrines. The leader was indefatigable in keeping the church pure! I wish that all leaders could receive such a justly earned commendation!

Yet in spite of all that was very praiseworthy, he was blameworthy in this state because he had left his first love. He must necessarily have loved the good. This is made very plain. He certainly possessed more love than very many brothers, yet he did not possess that first love.

The sincerity and warmth of his first love had vanished from all his battles and labors. Therefore the Lord said: “Nevertheless, I have this against you . . . . Remember . . . repent.” Here is an area in which we need to test ourselves!!! Remember, remember, remember!

God does not just require that we are firm in what is right and sound and good, but He requires sincere warmth.

Overcoming in this instance meant to be filled again with this sincere warmth.