"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Jesus said this to each of the seven churches in the book of Revelation (Please note that all scripture references are linked to The WWW Bible Gateway. Therefore, if you click on a scripture reference, it may take a few moments for it to load. Once you are finished reading the scripture reference, click "back" on your browser to return to this article.
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29 ;Revelation 3:6, 13, 22 ). And, of the seven, Jesus only found favor in two. Let's review the letters to the churches.Ephesus. They had forsaken their first love. Jesus warned them to remember the height from which they had fallen and repent (
Revelation 2:1-7 ).Pergamum. They had false teaching, were eating food sacrificed to idols, and were sexually immoral. Jesus ordered them to repent (
Revelation 2:12-17 ).Laodicea. They were lukewarm, and Jesus wished they were either hot or cold. He warned them that He would spit them out of His mouth. They were boastful of their earthly wealth, but to Jesus they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. They were warned to repent. (
Revelation 3:14-22 ).Thyatira. They had a false prophetess leading them into sexual immorality and causing them to eat food sacrificed to idols. They, too, were told to repent. Some at Thyatira did find favor and were told to hold on to what they had until Jesus returns (
Revelation 2:18-29 ).Sardis. They had the reputation of being alive, but in actuality were dead. Jesus warned them to wake up. Some at Sardis were holding to the teaching of Jesus-He said they were worthy (
Revelation 3:1-6 ).Smyrna. They found favor. Jesus said, "I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are rich!" He warned them not to be afraid of what they were going to suffer; they were to be faithful until death (
Revelation 2:8-11 ).Philadelphia. They had little strength, yet they kept Jesus' word, had not denied His name, and had endured patiently. They found favor and were protected (
Revelation 3:7-13 ).Do you have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches? Note in
Revelation 1:19 , that John is instructed to "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later." Were these seven churches in existence in John's day, or were they churches of the future? Could one of these churches be yours? It is important that we examine ourselves as Jesus will some day. Will He find favor with you? It is never too late to change . . . until the trumpet sounds.Copyright © 1999 Timothy A. Southall. All rights reserved.
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