Introduction to the Seven Letters in Revelation
This is the first of seven letters that Jesus Christ sent to seven specific church congregations in seven different cities. Since the book of Revelation is regarding the times of the end, and it is intended for us, the body of Christ, and so much of it is written in symbols and in metaphorical language, it is believed that these seven churches either represent the church down through the generations, ending with Laodicea, which represents the church in this present age, and/or that all of them represent the church at any given time and in any given location throughout church history, as they apply.
So, as we go through this study of the seven churches, I pray that each one of us will pay close attention to the wording and that we will examine our own hearts and lives to see where we are in the scheme of things and where the Lord may be pointing to things in our own lives which need to change.
Now, in four of the seven letters, Jesus had both something positive and something negative to say about these church congregations, each of which were most likely the collective body of Christ in each city and thus they probably did not all meet together in the same exact locations. In two of the letters he spoke positively to the churches, and in only one did he have nothing good to say, but all was negative, and that is the church of Laodicea which many believe represents the church in our generation today. And I concur that it does represent the majority of what is called “church” today.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God’” (Revelation 2:1-7 ESV).
So, the church in Ephesus collectively represented the body of Christ who were dedicated to opposing all that was evil and to testing those who call themselves apostles but who were not apostles. Today this could include prophets, preachers, teachers, pastors, and evangelists, i.e. any who call themselves servants of the Lord and ministers of the gospel, who we are to test. And the church in Ephesus were those who were enduring patiently and bearing up for his name’s sake, and they had not grown weary. So they were committed to the truth of the gospel and to refuting the lies of the enemy, it appears.
But they had abandoned their first love. Either they had abandoned Christ himself or the love they had for him at first. So, what does that mean in this context? It would mean that Christ was no longer first place in their lives. He was not #1. He was not the one that they went to for everything. So, although what they were doing were good things, yet perhaps now they were doing them more in their flesh or as a matter of religious practice, but that they were not solely depending on the Lord Jesus to empower and to guide them in where to go and in what they were to do and to say.
And that is possible to do, to get into routines and then to just follow those routines without really inquiring of or depending on the Lord for what we are to do and to say, and for where and when we are to go here or there. In other words, it is possible for us to go ahead of God and assume that we should do such and such, because we believe it is the right thing to do, when that might not be what he wants us to do at that time or with those specific people. And so we need his guidance and direction. We need him to lead us specifically in what to write/say, and to whom and when and where, etc.
So, the Lord is saying to any of us who might be operating out of habit, rather than as being led by the Holy Spirit, that we need to repent, to turn away from doing that, to back up, and to take time to inquire of the Lord and to see what he wants us to do instead of us just assuming what is right or wrong when it may not be his timing or what he wants at all. And so if we go without his direction, it could end up backfiring and blowing up in our faces. For it is not the Lord we are serving if we are going it alone without letting him lead us in where to go, in what to say, and in what to do.
And he may then remove us from the ministry to which he has called us because our ministry depends on him leading us and him empowering us and him opening and closing doors for us. So, we must be his servants who let him lead us, and who then follow him in obedience in doing what he says.
But the Lord still commended them for hating the works of false preachers and teachers and doctrines and philosophies and teachings. And we do need to be people who discern the lies from the truth and who are speaking the truth and not the lies, and who are exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness for what they are. For this is what we have all been called to do. And we all need to be listening to the Lord, to what he wants to teach us, and then we must conquer all that is contrary to his will by following him in obedience. And then we have the promise and the hope of eternal life with God.
[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]
Beautiful Lamb
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
By Gary Miller
Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Sent from the Father’s love,
Sent from the throne above,
Sent to redeem us with His blood.
Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Behold the Lamb of God
Suff’ring great pain for us,
And by His wounds we all are healed.
Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Like sheep we’ve gone astray,
Each turn to his own way,
But Jesus will take our sins away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo7wA3gZIgI
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