The Seven Churches of Revelation
EPHESUS: The Busy Church
Background
EPHESUS. The most
important city in the Roman province of Asia, on the W coast of what is now
Asiatic Turkey. A magnificent road 11 m wide and lined with columns ran down
through the city to the fine harbor, which served both as a great export center
at the end of the Asiatic caravan-route and also as a natural landing-point
from Rome.
It became the greatest commercial city of the Roman province
of Asia. It then occupied a vast area, and its population may have numbered a
third of a million. It is estimated that the great theater built into Mt Pion
in the center of the city had a capacity of about 25,000.
It became a center
of the emperor cult, and eventually possessed three official temples, thus
qualifying thrice over for the proud title neokoros ('temple-warden') of the
emperors, as well as being neokoros of Artemis (Acts 19:35).
The temple of
Artemis itself had been rebuilt after a great fire in 356 bc, and ranked as one
of the seven wonders of the world until its destruction by the Goths in ad 263.
It had been the largest building in the Greek world. It contained an image of
the goddess which, it was claimed, had fallen from heaven (cf. Acts 19:35).
Indeed, it may well have been a meteorite originally. Silver coins from many
places show the validity of the claim that the goddess of Ephesus was revered
all over the world (Acts 19:27). They bear the inscription Diana Ephesia (cf.
Acts 19:34).
Bibliography. W. M.
Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches, 1904; J. T. Wood, Modern Discoveries
on the Site of Ancient Ephesus, 1890; D. G. Hogarth, Excavations at Ephesus:
the Archaic Artemisia, 1908; RE, 'Ephesos'; G. E. Bean, Aegean Turkey. An
Archaeological Guide, 1966; E. Akurgal, The Ancient Ruins and Civilisations of
Turkey 1973. e.m.b.g. c.j.h.
As a church, Ephesus had become the 3rd center of
Christianity. The first was Jerusalem but persecution and the famine caused many
Christians to flee. The second was Antioch but this was eclipsed by Ephesus as
it would be eclipsed one day by Rome, due to the cities population and central
location to trade and travel throughout this region of the world.
Paul, Timothy, Apollo, and John himself had all been pastors
of this congregation at different times in the past.
Study of the Typical Church at Ephesus Rev 2:1-7
Description of the Lord Jesus
Unto the angel of the
church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in
his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Where have we heard this description before?
It is in John' vision of chapter 1
What is the purpose of this description of Christ by Christ?
To show the one who has the authority over the churches and
pastors.
Description of the Church
Positive
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: And hast borne, and
hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
List the positive elements of the Ephesian church.
Work, labor, patience (a busy, active involved church)
Not tolerant of evil, or false teachers
Enduring, patient for the name of Christ.
Explain the positive element(s).
This was an active involved church, standing for truth and
standing strong in the midst of trial.
Negative
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love.
List the negative element(s) of the Ephesian church.
They have left their first love.
Explain the negative element(s).
First love means first in order and in this case, first in
order of priority. The first love of a church must be Jesus Christ.
Remedy / Result for the church.
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. But this thou hast, that
thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
What must this church do?
Remember and repent, do the first works.
What will Christ do if they do not respond?
Remove their candlestick. The church will cease to exist.
Reward for the Church
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.
What is the invitation of Christ?
That any individual within the church can respond to the
word given by the Spirit.
What is the reward for this church if they do respond?
To eat of the tree of life, in the midst of the paradise of
God.
How does one become an overcomer? 1John 5:4-5:5
An overcomer is a
true believer. If you are a believer, you will be an overcomer
Describe a modern "Ephesian" church.
A church that is active, involved and committed but not fully
to Jesus.
How can a church be aware it is leaving it's "first
love?"
When property, programs, money, activities become the focus
instead of worshipping and serving Jesus Christ.
What must a church do to regain its "first love?"
Remember and repent.
Look back to the love of Jesus Christ.
SMYRNA: The Persecuted Church
Background
SMYRNA. Grew to be one of the most prosperous cities in Asia
Minor. It was the natural port for the ancient trade route through the Hermus
valley, and its immediate hinterland was very fertile. Smyrna was a faithful
ally of Rome long before the Roman power became supreme in the E Mediterranean.
Under the empire it was famous for its beauty and for the magnificence of its
public buildings. It is now Izmir, the second largest city in Asiatic Turkey.
The gospel probably reached Smyrna at an early date, presumably
from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). The 'angel of the church in Smyrna' is the recipient
of the second (Rev. 2:8-11) of the letters to the 'seven churches . . . in
Asia'. As in other commercial cities, the church encountered opposition from
the Jews (Rev. 2:9; cf. 3:9). (See W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven
Churches of Asia, 1904, chs. 19-20; C. J. Cadoux, Ancient Smyrna, 1938; C. J.
Hemer, Buried History 11, 1975, pp. 56-67.) e.m.b.g.
c.j.h.
Smyrna was also
well known for its export of the spice myrrh, which was used for the dressing
of a corpse before burial
Study of the typical Church at SMYRNA Rev 2:8-11
Description of the Lord Jesus
And unto the angel
of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which
was dead, and is alive;
What is the purpose of this description of Christ by Christ?
For a church under persecution it gave hope.
Description of the Church
Positive
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.
List the positive elements of a modern Smyrna Church
Tribulation and poverty.
Poor in the worlds view, but rich in Christ' view.
Negative
No negative description.
Remedy / Result for the Church.
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.
Do not fear, you will be tried, but the tribulation is
limited.
Be faithful unto death, and receive a crown of life.
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.
What is the reward for this church if they do respond?
Overcomers shall not be hurt in the second death. Believers will not stand at the Great White
Throne judgment and be condemned to the Lake of Fire.
What is overcoming based upon? Who will overcome?
Overcoming is based upon faith in Jesus Christ? Believers will overcome.
Describe a modern "Smyrna" church.
A church undergoing a life threatening trial and or
persecution.
How will such a church survive?
Overcoming by believing in Jesus and remaining faithful no
matter what.
What should such a church continue to bear in mind?
Jesus is aware of the trail.
He is concerned with our faithfulness more than our productivity and
that there is a limit to the suffering.
PERGAMUM: The Polluted Church
Background
PERGAMUM. A city of
the Roman province of Asia, in the W of what is now Asiatic Turkey. It occupied
a commanding position near the seaward end of the broad valley of the Caicus,
and was probably the site of a settlement from a very early date. It became
important only after 282 BC, when Philetaerus revolted against Lysimachus of
Thrace and made it the capital of what became the Attalid kingdom, which in 133
BC was bequeathed by Attalus III to the Romans, who formed the province of Asia
from it. The first temple of the imperial cult was built in Pergamum (c. 29 BC)
in honor of Rome and Augustus. The city thus boasted a religious primacy in the
province, though Ephesus became its main commercial center.
Pergamum is listed third of the 'seven churches of Asia'
(Rev. 1:11): the order suits its position in geographical sequence. This was
the place 'where Satan's throne is' (Rev. 2:13). The phrase has been referred
to the complex of pagan cults, of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Asclepius,
established by the Attalid kings, that of Asclepius Soter (the 'saviour',
'healer') being of special importance. These cults are illustrative of the
religious history of Pergamum, but the main allusion is probably to emperor
worship. This was where the worship of the divine emperor had been made the
touchstone of civic loyalty under Domitian. It marked a crisis for the church
in Asia. Antipas (v. 13) is probably cited as a representative (perhaps the
first) of those who were brought to judgment and execution here for their
faith.
A small town (Bergama) still stands on the plain below the
acropolis of the ancient city.
Bibliography. W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven
Churches of Asia, 1904, chs. 21-22; C. J. Hemer, Buried History 11, 1975, pp.
69-83; idem, NIDNTT 2, 1976, pp. 676-678.
Study of the Church at Pergamum Rev 2:12-17
Description of the Lord Jesus
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These
things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
What is the purpose of this description of Christ by Christ?
Jesus holds judgment over the church, it is negative from
the start.
Description of the Church
Positive
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.
List the Positive elements of the church.
The church still gives honor to Jesus name, in spite of their
surroundings.
They have not denied the faith, even in the face of death.
Negative
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 stumbling block before the children of
Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast
thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I
hate.
List the negative elements of the church.
Hold the teachings of Balaam
Have in membership those which believe like the Nicolaitans.
Explain the negative elements of the church.
Balaam was an OT prophet who set Israel on the path to
compromise and ultimately idolatry.
Nicolatianism means "Rule over the laity" in other
words men who would supersede church authority.
Remedy / Result for the church.
Repent; or else I
will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my
mouth.
Repentance and forsaking of these sins in the church, both
the sin of worldly compromise and the sin of denying or usurping local church
authority.
Reward for the Church
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].
To eat of the hidden manna, (Christ is the bread that cometh
down from heaven a closer, filling relationship) and a white stone with a new
name written known only to the one receiving it. (white stones were used in
voting, as a token of acceptance or in a judicial trial as a vote for
acquittal.)
Describe a modern "Pergamum" church.
A church which has mixed worldliness with its worship of
Jesus.
A church which has usurped local church authority.
What are some modern stumblingblocks?
Prosperity, Possessions, Power, Politics
What is the danger of the "Nicolatians?"
That people allow others to take away their responsibility
of responded and obeying God rather than men.
The church ceases to be God's house.
THYATIRA: The Church of Unholy Unions.
Background
THYATIRA. A city in the Roman province of Asia, in the W of
what is now Asiatic Turkey. It occupied an important position in a low-lying
'corridor' connecting the Hermus and Caicus valleys. It was a frontier
garrison, first on the W frontier of the territory of Seleucus I of Syria, and
later, after changing hands, on the E frontier of the kingdom of Pergamum. With
that kingdom, it passed under Roman rule in 133 BC. But it remained an
important point in the Roman road-system, for it lay on the road from Pergamum
to Laodicea, and thence to the E provinces.
It was also an important center of manufacture; dyeing, garment-making,
pottery and brass-working are among the trades known to have existed there. A
large town (Akhisar) still stands on the same site.
The Thyatiran woman Lydia, the 'seller of purple' whom Paul
met at Philippi (Acts 16:14), was probably the overseas agent of a Thyatiran
manufacturer; she may have been arranging the sale of dyed woolen goods which
were known simply by the name of the dye. This 'purple' was obtained from the
madder root, and was still produced in the district, under the name 'Turkey
red', into the present century.
(See W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia,
1904, chs. 23-24; C. J. Hemer, Buried History 2, 1975, pp. 110-118.)
Study of the typical Church at Thyatira Revelation 2:18
Description of the Lord Jesus
And unto the angel
of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath
his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
What is the purpose of this description of Christ by Christ?
To show judgment and purity.
Description of the Church
Positive
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.
List the Positive elements.
(Notice there are more positive listed for Ephesus and Thyatira than for
Sardis and Philadelphia which had no bad listed.)
They have works, charity (Christian agape love), service for
the Lord, and faith in the Lord. They are doing more now than they were doing
when first founded.
Negative
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. And I gave her
space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
List the negative elements
They allow Jezebel to teach and by her teaching corrupt the
church.
Who or what does Jezebel represent?
Just as the Jezebel in the OT, this false prophetess was bringing
paganism and sexual sin into the Lord’s church.
Remedy / Result for the church
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
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.
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.
But that which ye
have [already] hold fast till I come.
Jesus will bring punishment upon Jezebel and those who
support her and those who spring from her.
The faithful are to hold fast the good that they have.
Reward for the Church
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to
shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him
the morning star.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
To the overcomers and faithful He will give power
(authority) over the nations. He will
give them the morning star. (This is one
of the titles of Christ)
SARDIS: The Dying Church.
Background
SARDIS. A city in the Roman province of Asia, in the W of
what is now Asiatic Turkey. It was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia,
the greatest of the foreign powers encountered by the Greeks during their early
colonization of Asia Minor. Its early prosperity, especially under Croesus,
became a byword for wealth; its riches are said to have derived in part from
the gold won from the Pactolus, a stream which flowed through the city. The
original city was an almost impregnable fortress-citadel, towering above the
broad valley of the Hermus, and nearly surrounded by precipitous cliffs of
treacherously loose rock. Its position as the center of Lydian supremacy under
Croesus was ended abruptly when the Persian king Cyrus besieged the city and
took the citadel (546 BC), apparently by scaling the cliffs and entering by a
weakly defended point under cover of darkness. The same tactics again led to
the fall of the city in 214 BC, when it was captured by Antiochus the Great.
Though it lay on an important trade route down the Hermus valley, it never
regained under Roman rule the spectacular prominence it had had in earlier
centuries. In ad 26 its claim for the honor of building an imperial temple was
rejected in favour of its rival Smyrna. There is now only a small village
(Sart) near the site of the ancient city.
Important current excavations have brought much to light,
including a superb late synagogue. Sardis had evidently been for centuries a
principal center of the Jewish Diaspora, and was probably the Sepharad of Ob.
20.
Bibliography. W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven
Churches of Asia, 1904, chs. 25, 26; D. G. Mitten, BA 29, 1966, pp. 38-68; G.
M. A. Hanfmann, regular reports in BASOR; C. J. Hemer, NTS 19, 1972-3, pp.
94-97; idem, Buried History 11, 1975, pp. 119-135.
Study of the typical Church at Sardis Revelation 3:1-6
Description of the Lord Jesus
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;
What is the purpose of this description of Christ by Christ?
If the seven Spirits is a description of the Hooly Spirit,
(Rev 14) and the seven stars are the pastors it means that Jesus holds complete
power over this church
Description of the Church
Positive
List the positive elements
There are no positive
elements.
Negative
1b. .I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou
livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and
strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found
thy works perfect before God.
List the negative elements
Had a reputation, a past of being alive but the reality was
death.
The good that remained was ready to die.
Their works were not complete before God.
Remedy / Result for the church
Remember therefore
how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If 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.
They are tremember how you received and heard. (Col 1:7) and to hold fast.
Sudden Judgment is coming, (The city had been conquered
twice before while they slept, now the church was in the same situation.
Reward for the Church
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.
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.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The undefiled ones will walk with Christ in white, (symbol
of righteousness.)
Overcomers shall be
clothed in white raiment.
A promise of not blotting out his name from the book of
Life.
Christ will confess their name before God and the angels.
What is the only hope for a church that finds itself in the
same situation as Pergamum (polluted), Thyatira (compromised) or Sardis
(dying)?
Repentance, repentance and repentance.
Where does the repentance start?
With each individual. He that hath and ear, let him hear.
It starts with the one who is willing to listen to the Holy
Spirit in his own heart. It could start with any person willing to listen to
the Holy Spirit.
PHILADELPHIA: Church of the Open Door.
PHILADELPHIA. A city in the Rom. province of Asia, in the W
of what is now Asiatic Turkey. It was perhaps founded by Eumenes, king of
Pergamum, in the 2nd century BC, and certainly named after his brother Attalus,
whose loyalty had earned him the name Philadelphus. It was situated near the
upper end of a broad valley leading down through Sardis to the sea near Smyrna;
and it lay at the threshold of a very fertile tract of plateau country, from
which much of its commercial prosperity derived. The area was subject to
frequent earthquakes. A severe one in ad 17 destroyed the city; and as the
shocks continued intermittently the people took to living outside the city
(Strabo, Geography 12.8.18 [579]; 13.4.10 [628]). After an imperial bounty had
helped it to recover, the city voluntarily assumed the new name of Neocaesarea.
Later, under Vespasian, it took another imperial name, Flavia. The city was
remarkable for the number of its temples and religious festivals. The site is
now occupied by the town of Alasehir.
Ignatius later visited the city on his way from Antioch to
martyrdom in Rome, and sent a letter to the church there.
Bibliography. W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven
Churches of Asia, 1904, chs. 27-28; C. J. Hemer, Buried History 11, 1975, pp.
164-174. m.j.s.r. c.j.h.
Description of the Lord Jesus
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
"These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key
of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man
openeth:
What is the purpose of this description of Christ?
To show authority and power.
The key always represents authority.
Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Description of the Church
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.
Positive
Christ has given an open door. (speaks of opportunity)
Thou hast a little strength (why Jesus can use them)
Hast kept my word (They have been faithful to His truth)
Hast not denied my name (They have endured persecution and
trial rather than deny the name of Jesus)
Negative
None (only Smyrna and Philadelphia)
Remedy / Result for the church
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. 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Make false Jews worship at their feet, to know Jesus loved
the church
The church shall be kept from the hour of temptation
Hold fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown
Reward for the Church
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my
God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God,
and the name o the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down
out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches.
Make a pillar in the temple of my God.
Shall go out no More
Jesus will write upon him the name of god, the name of the
city of God, and His new name.
The rewards are often the gift of a closer relationship with
Jesus and the Father. Three times in this passage the reward involves things
associated with “God or Jesus.” A pillar in the temple of my God, the name of
my God, the name of the city of my God, new Jerusalem, and my new name.
What would you consider a modern “Philadelphian” church?
A church that God has given a great opportunity for
evangelism and growth.
What causes the Lord to open the door for a church?
Just like revivals, we can’t force an open door. All we can
do is pray, be ready and remain faithful.
LAODICEA: The Luke Warm Church.
Background
LAODICEA. A city of
SW Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, in the W of what is now Asiatic
Turkey. It was founded by the Seleucid Antiochus II in the 3rd century BC, and
called after his wife Laodice. It lay in the fertile valley of the Lycus (a
tributary of the Maeander), close to Hierapolis and Colossae, and was
distinguished by the epithet 'on Lycus' from several other cities of the name.
It was at a very important cross-road: the main road across Asia Minor ran W to
the ports of Miletus and Ephesus about 160 km away and E by an easy incline on
to the central plateau and thence towards Syria; and another road ran N to
Pergamum and S to the coast at Attalia.
This strategic position made Laodicea an extremely
prosperous commercial center, especially under Roman rule. When destroyed by a
disastrous earthquake in ad 60 it could afford to dispense with aid from Nero.
It was an important center of banking and exchange. Its distinctive products
included garments of glossy black wool, and it was a medical center noted for
ophthalmology. The site had one disadvantage: being determined by the
road-system, it lacked a sufficient and permanent supply of good water. Water
was piped to the city from hot springs some distance S, and probably arrived
lukewarm. The deposits still encrusting the remains testify to its warmth. The
site of Laodicea was eventually abandoned, and the modern town (Denizli) grew
up near the springs.
Bibliography. W. M. Ramsay, The Letters to the Seven
Churches of Asia, 1904; M. J. S. Rudwick and E. M. B. Green, ExpT 69, 1957-8,
pp. 176-178; C. J. Hemer, NIDNTT 1, pp. 317-319; idem, Buried History 11, 1975,
pp. 175-190. m.j.s.r. c.j.h.
Study of the Church at Laodecia Rev 3:14
Description of the Lord Jesus
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of
the creation of God;
Christ is described as the Amen, (the final word) the faithful
and true witness, the beginning (causative force) of the creation of God.
Description of the Church
I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So
then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out
of my mouth. 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:
Positive
None (shared with Sardis)
Negative
Neither Hot nor cold, they were lukewarm. They had a false sense of their own worth,
Jesus says they are wretched, miserable poor and naked.
Remedy / Result for the church
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; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As
many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
They were to buy gold tried in the fire from Christ. This
signifies suffering and sacrifice for Him. White raiment speaks of purity and
righteousness. Eye salve speaks of
healing and spiritual sight. When they
were rebuke they must repent.
Reward for the Church
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. 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. He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Christ will come in and dwell with them.
Overcomers will sit with Christ in his throne room
Better to ask what
modern church is not a Laodicean church. The description of this church is the
exact description of many modern churches. Lukewarm in their faith, rich in
their own eyes, yet ignorant of how wretched they truly are in the eyes of
Jesus. They are shamefully naked in blatant sin, blind to truth and poor in the
true riches of the Gospel.
We hope and pray to
be churches of open doors.
But most are
lukewarm and on the verge of being removed from Christ’s presence and power.
The ultimate question:
Will I Open the Door?
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. - Revelation 3:20
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