GOD’S TIMELESS MESSAGES TO US (Part 2)

August 30, 2023

 

If you want to improve and grow, wouldn’t you want someone to give you the best possible evaluation of where you are? No one sees you and those around you like Christ Himself. In Revelation 2-3, Christ comes to seven specific churches of His day and tells them God’s evaluation. But these letters to the seven churches also represent every church in every age.

In Revelation, Chapter 2, we have His words to four of these churches.

1. EPHESUS … The SOUND BUT STERILE Church (Revelation 2:1-7)
2. SMYRNA… The SUFFERING Church (Revelation 2:8-11))
3. PERGAMUM … The COMPROMISED Church (Revelation 2:12-17)
4. THYATIRA… The TOLERANT Church (Revelation 2:18-29)

The final three churches are addressed in Revelation, Chapter Three.

5. SARDIS … The DEAD Church (Revelation 3:1-6

• THE ENCOURAGEMENT: You have a few people, a remnant, who are walking with me.
• THE EVALUATION: You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
• THE EXHORTATION: Wake up, remember what you received, obey, repent, and complete your mission in the sight of God.
• THE ENDING: If you don’t wake up, I will come in judgment and remove you. But the remnant will walk with me, for they are worthy. They will be clothed in white, their names will remain in the Book of Life, and I will confess them before the Father.

6. PHILADELPHIA … The FAITHFUL Church (Revelation 3:7-13)

• THE ENCOURAGEMENT: I have put an open door of opportunity before you, and no one can shut it.
• THE EVALUATION: You have a little power, have kept my word, and have not denied my name.
• THE EXHORTATION: Hold fast to what you have so no one will take your crown.
• THE ENDING: I will make your satanic enemies bow at your feet. They will know that I love you. I will keep you from the hour of testing. For those who overcome, I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God, and you will be there forever. I will write on you the name of My God and the city of My God, the new Jerusalem!

7. LAODICEA … The LUKEWARM Church (Revelation 3:14-22)

• THE ENCOURAGEMENT: I’m standing at the door knocking. If you hear Me and open the door, I will come into you and dine with you and you with Me.
• THE EVALUATION: You are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—and utterly unaware of your impoverished condition. You are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
• THE EXHORTATION: Open the door to me. Find in Me the riches you need, the cleansing you need, and the healing you need so you can see. Be zealous and repent!
• THE ENDING: If you don’t open the door to me, I will spit you out of my mouth. If you open the door, I will come in and dine with You, and, for those who overcome, I will grant you to sit down with Me on My throne, just like I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

The man or woman (or church) who refuses to listen to the voice of the Head of the Church is in grave danger. They will miss all that Christ has promised His Bride. But the glorious promises of God can be realized by all who will listen carefully, adjust quickly, and humbly return to the One who is all-in-all.

Where are you, and what must you do right now?

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