The Seven Churches

The Seven Churches

Jesus loved the seven churches (in Revelation), and He wanted to help them to be perfect and complete. It was His desire that each church should be like the seven golden lampstands. He made them aware of what they were lacking. The churches had Jesus, the perfect “revival preacher” in their midst. He found that only in Smyrna and Philadelphia everything was in order, but He had hope for all of them to come to perfection.

The more clearly we see, the more we can awaken one another. But it must be done in love and goodness. We are exhorted not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but rather to stir one another up to love and good works, and so much the more as we see the Day approaching.

Apathy had found its way into five of the churches, with the result that they could not see clearly.

The church in Ephesus was in an extremely serious situation. They had left their first love, and the lampstand would be removed if they did not repent and do the first works again.

In Pergamos Jesus came with the sharp, two-edged sword to separate from the church those who held the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The church had to be cleansed with power from this leaven of impurity and evil if it wanted to be a perfect church. It was possible to overcome, even though they dwelled where Satan’s throne was.

The Son of God—He who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like fine brass—also came to the church in Thyatira. Brass means judgment. All the churches were first praised for the good things that were there, but then the judgment came over the things from which they needed to be cleansed. They all received a time of grace to repent. There were many good things in Thyatira, but that ungodly woman Jezebel was allowed to rule. She called herself a prophetess and deceived the servants of the Lord to commit adultery. She was also given a time in which to repent, but she would not, and she received a terrible judgment. The others who had kept themselves pure from her doctrine received the promise that they would rule with a rod of iron together with Jesus.

In Sardis, Jesus came as the One who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. He knew that the angel of the church had a name that he was alive, but that he was dead. He was awakened to what he had heard and learned so that he could hold fast to it and repent. If he did not watch, Jesus would come like a thief at an hour he did not know. There were a few in the church who had not defiled their garments. They received the promise that they would walk with Jesus in white garments, for they were worthy.

In Laodicea, they were just about to be spewed out of Jesus’ mouth because they were lukewarm and said they were rich and had need of nothing. However, if they were zealous and repented, they would be given the opportunity to buy gold, refined in the fire, and white garments, so they could be rich and receive anointed eyes so they could see. They also received this great promise: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21.

The church in Smyrna was a good church. They were in tribulations and were poor when it came to earthly things, but they were rich in God. They would be tried for a certain time; but if they were faithful until death, they would receive the crown of life.

The church in Philadelphia had an open door that led to God’s riches. No one could shut this door so that they were prevented from entering. They had a little strength, but they had kept God’s Word. Because they had kept the word to be patient, they would be freed from the hour of trial that was to come over the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. They were tried, and they passed the test.

Paul passed the test when he shepherded the church of God that Jesus had purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28.

Now the question is whether we are aware of our responsibility to take heed to the church of God as shepherds and overseers. May we all learn a great lesson from the seven churches. This also pertains to those who work with the children and the young people, and also in the homes.