“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” Jesus says. Let’s listen to what he has to say in Revelation 2.
The first thing I notice here is that all the letters in my Bible in Revelation 2 are red. That’s significant. That indicates that Jesus is speaking here. He is giving his message to four of seven churches, and ends each with the admonition, “He who has an ear . . . ,” so we know these letters apply to us as His redeemed people, too.
Each “letter” follows a basic format, at least to a degree. First, Jesus identifies himself with something from the initial vision as the glorified Christ that John saw in chapter 1. Then he declares he knows their deeds, and he praises them. Then he will reveal something of their sin, calling them to repent. There is a warning of punishment, followed by a word of encouragement to continue doing something they are doing well. Then there is a promise to, “the one who conquers,” or, “the over-comers,” which usually includes some kind of Biblical or spiritual reference, where it is clear that Jesus assumes (if I can even use that word in regard to the risen Christ) that the reader will be saved. Don’t lose sight of the fact that he calls them/us conquerors; this is a struggle.
As we read these we are to apply both the Law statements where Jesus accuses the churches, and the Gospel statements where he comforts and builds them up to our selves. So let’s glance at each of these churches:
EPHESUS: Jesus praises them for their hard work and endurance in doing what is right. However, he says they have turned away from the love that they had at first. This is the passionate love for God, and particularly for Jesus, which they had when they first came to faith. He calls them to remember and repent – to change the way they think and act to become more like it was at first. Has our love diminished? Are we so busy doing hard work for God’s sake, enduring in doing what is right that we that we no longer do it with love?
SMYRNA: Jesus knows their struggles, and he knows that life is about to become harder through persecution. He encourages them, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Where is your life difficult? Is your faith being tested? Does it help to know that Jesus knows? That he is cheering for you? That this can be overcome in Him?
PERGAMUM: Jesus knows the persecution they’ve faced, but they’ve also adopted some bad habits – participating in false worship through eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. We cannot live like the world and still follow Jesus. Where have you bought into the pleasures of this world? What temptation lurks in your life? To overcome it means receiving life from Jesus (eating the hidden manna) and being declared innocent (the white stone).
THYATIRA: Jesus praises them for their love, faith, service and endurance, and he recognizes that it is growing. However, he recognizes that they too tolerate sexual sin and false worship. He calls on them to hold on until he comes. Have we grown in faith, service, and endurance? What about love for God and for others? What sin do we approve that we need to turn away from?
In each of these letters Jesus speaks of giving them eternal life, reminding them that He is coming to them – and us. He is faithful, and He will lead us to our eternal home.
Father, help me to hear what the Spirit says to the churches, and also what He says to me. Help me to cling to Jesus, to love You with all that I am, and to change the way I think and act in regard to the things of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The first thing I notice here is that all the letters in my Bible in Revelation 2 are red. That’s significant. That indicates that Jesus is speaking here. He is giving his message to four of seven churches, and ends each with the admonition, “He who has an ear . . . ,” so we know these letters apply to us as His redeemed people, too.
Each “letter” follows a basic format, at least to a degree. First, Jesus identifies himself with something from the initial vision as the glorified Christ that John saw in chapter 1. Then he declares he knows their deeds, and he praises them. Then he will reveal something of their sin, calling them to repent. There is a warning of punishment, followed by a word of encouragement to continue doing something they are doing well. Then there is a promise to, “the one who conquers,” or, “the over-comers,” which usually includes some kind of Biblical or spiritual reference, where it is clear that Jesus assumes (if I can even use that word in regard to the risen Christ) that the reader will be saved. Don’t lose sight of the fact that he calls them/us conquerors; this is a struggle.
As we read these we are to apply both the Law statements where Jesus accuses the churches, and the Gospel statements where he comforts and builds them up to our selves. So let’s glance at each of these churches:
EPHESUS: Jesus praises them for their hard work and endurance in doing what is right. However, he says they have turned away from the love that they had at first. This is the passionate love for God, and particularly for Jesus, which they had when they first came to faith. He calls them to remember and repent – to change the way they think and act to become more like it was at first. Has our love diminished? Are we so busy doing hard work for God’s sake, enduring in doing what is right that we that we no longer do it with love?
SMYRNA: Jesus knows their struggles, and he knows that life is about to become harder through persecution. He encourages them, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Where is your life difficult? Is your faith being tested? Does it help to know that Jesus knows? That he is cheering for you? That this can be overcome in Him?
PERGAMUM: Jesus knows the persecution they’ve faced, but they’ve also adopted some bad habits – participating in false worship through eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. We cannot live like the world and still follow Jesus. Where have you bought into the pleasures of this world? What temptation lurks in your life? To overcome it means receiving life from Jesus (eating the hidden manna) and being declared innocent (the white stone).
THYATIRA: Jesus praises them for their love, faith, service and endurance, and he recognizes that it is growing. However, he recognizes that they too tolerate sexual sin and false worship. He calls on them to hold on until he comes. Have we grown in faith, service, and endurance? What about love for God and for others? What sin do we approve that we need to turn away from?
In each of these letters Jesus speaks of giving them eternal life, reminding them that He is coming to them – and us. He is faithful, and He will lead us to our eternal home.
Father, help me to hear what the Spirit says to the churches, and also what He says to me. Help me to cling to Jesus, to love You with all that I am, and to change the way I think and act in regard to the things of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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