The God of the Churches

Reading Amount: Revelation 2:1-3:22

Central Verse:

And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. - Rev. 2:23b

Central Truth:

Christ knows his churches and his people, he deals with each of us differently but expects us to follow him regardless of our surrounding culture or the powers we find ourselves surrounded by.

Food For Thought:

There are seven churches that are dealt with, and these churches were in a circuit so that when the letter traveled each would see and hear what was spoken to the others. This reminds us of the universality of the message of Revelation but also reminds us that the intent of Revelation is pastoral in nature not future forecasting as many views of Revelation would have us believe.



There is a pattern that each mini-letter to the churches holds

Similarities of the prophecies to the churches

1. To the angel of the church in a given city, write:
2. Jesus (depicted in glory, often in terms from 1:13-18) says:
3. I know (in most instances offers some praise)
4. But I have this against you (offers some reproof, where applicable)
5. The one who has ears must pay attention to what the Spirit says
6. Eschatological promise

   Revelation; Mark W. Wilson pg 135

   History plays a critical role in understanding each church for example Pergamum was the center of a strong emperor cult and what Christ says to that church reflects that.

   Connections:

   Does God have anything to say to me? We often don't ask this question in a point blank manner. We lead up to this with statements like, "I just don't know what to do." "I'm going to pray about it," said out of habit but meaning nothing because we don't feel that any prayer has ever been answered. This section of Revelation is often considered the most "practical" part of Revelation. John writes what Christ is telling him and it is advice specifically for churches and what they are going through. When we read these we have a tendency to pick one church and say "is this church like mine or not?" What we miss is that Jesus talks to every single church.

   Only two churches in this entire sections are completely commended three of them have both good and bad within their congregation while another two are almost completely negative. When we look at all of them together we realize that no church is to far gone. Even the churches that are negative Christ is still with them, still calling them to a life of faithfulness amidst their current cultural struggles. Christ does remind the churches that he can and will remove their lamp stand from the presence of God but it seems that Christ patience is very real but is not inexhaustible.

   We would do well as the people of God to take the advice to the churches to heart and find ways to faithfully serve Christ amidst and counter to our society today. Christ is the only one who can remove a church from the presence of God no one else. The call to faithfully follow Christ is important enough that we should examine our motives for our church. Are we seeking to be faithful followers of God or are we just going through the motions. Are we trying to show how God would have us act or are we trying to manipulate the political system for our own advantage. Living out our faith requires acknowledgment of Christ's judgment role but also of not giving up hope even when things don't seem to be working as God would have us work.

   Application:

   Questions:

   What are the two worst churches listed?

   What are the two best?

   Discussion:

   Prayer: