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THE SEVEN CHURCHES-YESTERDAY & TODAY

by linzy bruno
10/09/2020 / Christian Living

The seven churches of the Book of Revelation do not just represent the churches of those days of old, but also of today. Moreover, these churches do not solely describe the varying types of congregations, they also represent the heart condition and lifestyle of individual believers….

Furthermore, as Jesus addresses the various churches through the angel speaking to John, He chastises five out of the seven in the form of warnings relating to the offenses of that particular church organization and its congregants.

Chapters 2 & 3 of Revelation: (Focus on the bold & red type, predominantly)

The Loveless Church

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

The Persecuted Church

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

The Compromising Church

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Corrupt Church

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—

as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Dead Church

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Faithful Church

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one, opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

The Lukewarm Church

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. 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. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. 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.”

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

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Of these seven churches, only the church of Philadelphia and Smyrna were/are worthy of being called an accurate reflection of Christianity. The other five were issued grievous warnings regarding God’s Punishment for idolatry, passivity, child sacrifice and other offenses that demonstrate a turning away from the faith.

We are all forgiven through Christ that believe on Him, but we cannot expect God’s forgiveness if we forsake Him, His Truth and His Plan of Salvation. We cannot expect God to have mercy on those who turn on Him, because they are breaking the covenant of salvation in this case---NOT Him. God does not force Himself on anyone; He grants free-will.

SUMMARY OF THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES:

Philadelphia, The church for the serious believer; the consecrated church, where believers put Jesus first and treat one another with brotherly love.

Ephesus, The church for the casual; the mega churches of today fit into this category of believers. In this church the Pastor's main concern is making the congregants happy, rather than making God happy. Jesus said--"return to your first love," for they had lost their passionate love for God.

Smyrna, The Persecuted church, demonstrates faithfulness by not succumbing to pressures like poverty and ridicule

Pergamos, The church that makes allowances; allowing Satan/ evil to slip in

Thyatira, The compromising church; letting in false teachings

Sardis, The fake church, looks good from the outside, but inside is broken

Laodicea, The lukewarm church, this church was completely immersed in the world and worldly entertaining services are the only kind they have. Hillsong is a prime example of the condition in Laodicea.

CONCLUSION:

Believers ought to live in accordance with the Ordinances of our LORD Jesus Christ and we ought to follow the examples of the churches that Jesus did not “have anything against.” And, moreover, oppose the rejection of God’s Commands these examples display.

Believers are forgiven in Christ, but inasmuch as God grants us all free-will, we can still abide in willful sin, turn away due to deception or due to loving people, our sin, or this world or other idols more than Jesus and these things mean that we are breaking this Divine and Holy Covenant.....not Him.

Yes, I am calling the love of the world idol worship, if it exceeds our love for Christ, for He Commanded that we love nothing or no one more than HIM in Exodus 20:3-5a:

^“You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,…….”

"So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Luke 10:27)

Moreover, Jesus told these churches they must repent, which indicates a straying from the faith. Repentance is not a work of the flesh, but a result of a contrite heart, which God grants, therefore, it NOT a work of the flesh, but of the spirit:

^“in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” (2Timothy 2:25)

“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

Furthermore, choosing Christ and His Ways and rejecting anything in opposition to Him should be the goal of the believer, regardless of the time period, but especially now.

God’s Word teaches that we ought to see our bodies as the Temple of God. In other words, the remnant church is of great value, however, we don’t need a building, for the Holy Spirit dwells within. Believers are the Church; the home of God.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1Corinthians 6:19)

TO WHICH CHURCH DO YOU BELONG?

NKJV

Linzy has been writing for many years; seriously since her 3 kids were still young and inspirational. She has taken 2 courses in Bible studies and completed "Four Soils" Bible study course in a 26-month period; earning her certification in Bible Counselling.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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