Revelation 2:1-7 – “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Let’s do a little review on how we should approach these letters to the seven churches.
First, let’s notice that these letters have a fourfold application:
The all have specific meaning to the local church that is being written to. The Lord is dealing with a real church. He is writing about real things they are doing right, and dangers they face. To them, He was speaking to the point. His words were to them, truly a “double edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12).
Second, they apply ecclesiastically. Meaning that they apply to matters of the church. Not just the church that is being written to, but also to all churches throughout church history. The specifics may vary, but we are all more alike than different. After all, all believers are united in Christ. So to lead the church, it is essential to study these seven letters. The Lord is educating pastors, teachers and elders.
Third, these letters are personal. They apply to all of us. Let us read, heed and beware. We have all heard the common admission of us all “There but for the grace of God, goes I.” We should read these letters for personal encouragement and admonition from the Lord. We should also read these letters as warnings to us, just as the Lord warned these churches. Some of us may have our doctrine offended. But the Lord spoke plainly, and as always, truthfully. As all church leaders should study these seven letters, so should all how who love and serve the Lord apply to our lives what the Lord here says to these seven churches.
Fourth, the letters apply prophetically. To the churches these letters were ready they were telling what was come for them. To us, much of these seven letters is history, yet contemporary.
Next we should note of these letters that there is a general pattern, or application, in each of these letters that Jesus wrote:
First, they all start with a greeting.
Second, they reveal who the letter is from. The letter is from Jesus and largely He describes Himself using the descriptions from Chapter 1.
Third is the “I know” section in which the Lord tells something good about the church. I love that He starts these parts by saying “I know.” We must remember that the All-Knowing One is He who is speaking. His eyes were always on the churches and the saints, just as they are always on our churches and us. He with the eyes like blazing fires, burns through the cover ups and sees the truth. He is watching.
Fourth, Jesus exposes something that is not right in the church. He does this from His great love for the church. He wants to bring it to their attention so that the fault may be addressed. Just as He will do that individually for us (Showing His eyes are on us). The church being addressed, and us, need to listen as He reveals the fault, which leads us to number five.
Fifth, Jesus expresses a warning. Now, a good thing to remember when studying the scriptures is that if God says it, He means it. He is not a silly person who talks to hear Himself speak. He does not say something without reason for saying it. He is God. He speaks with purpose and precision. As the churches He was then addressing must do, so must we heed these warnings. As the churches were not to explain away the warnings by any doctrines of men or rationalization, neither must we.
Sixth, after exposing the fault and issuing a warning, the Lord lifts up, encourages and gives hope. He reveals that all need only heed His words and everything is alright. Just as He did for Cain (Genesis 4:6-7), He offered them, and offers us, direction to life and encourages us to take that path. He wants all to be encouraged and not discouraged. Why? Because what awaits is far greater than anything on this earth.
Seventh, after exhorting, the Lord gives a promise to each of them, and to each of us. These promises were for them to cling to, and for us, to cling to. They are our hope.
Praise the Lord for giving us the book of Revelation to see what is coming, and to give us direction for present. The book of Revelation is a book that continues the story of God’s love for all the world. It shows the great and eternal reward for all those who trust in the Lord, and it also shows the horror that awaits those who harden their hearts to Him. But for us, dear Family, the hope expressed here lifts our hearts to praise God. It stirs our minds with excitement as we hear words of great comfort from the Eternal One to His children. Our spirit and soul soar with hope and we look to the horizon for what is to come. And we know that what is to come is our Savior, our Lord, our great redeemer, Jesus Christ. Luke 21:27 “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.