Conference yukon::christian_v7

665.0. "Letters to the Churches - part 1; the Message" by ICTHUS::YUILLE (Thou God seest me) Sat Jan 21 1995 06:23

The letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 are a fascinating 
introduction to this book of prophecy.  Chapter 1 introduces the author, 
the LORD Jesus Christ, as passing on the revelation which He was given by 
God, of what must soon take place.

  "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his
   servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
   it by his angel unto his servant John:"
							Revelation 1:1

 "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw
  seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one
  like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt
  about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like
  wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet
  like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the
  sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of
  his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun
  shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the
  first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am
  alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

							Revelation 1:12-18

Each of the letters to the churches starts with the signature; a part of 
the description of the author, as :

#1 Revelation 2:1 To Ephesus :
  "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that
   holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the
   seven golden candlesticks; 

Chapter 1:20 identifies the candlesticks as the churches themselves, and 
the stars as the 'angels' of the churches.   Whether you take the 'angels' 
to be actual protective / directing angels over the spirit in the churches, 
or whether you take them to be an eldership or oversight, or even the 
pastor, the gist of this part of the signature is that God is amongst them. 
He controls the leading spirit, and he is present in the church.  Ephesus 
has some criticisms to follow, but the LORD is with them.  We need to 
remember that when we think our church has some weak points....

#2 Revelation 2:8 To Smyrna :
  "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the 
   first and the last, which was dead, and is alive"

Smyrna needed this reminder that the LORD Jesus is in control - has always 
been, and always will be, and, most important of all, has overcome death, 
which cannot take the believer from His care - Smyrna was to go through a 
time of persecution. Limited by the LORD, but suffering to the death, in 
some cases.

#3 Revelation 2:12 To Pergamos :
  "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he 
   which hath the sharp sword with two edges"

The sword comes from the mouth of the LORD, as in Revelation 1:16, and 
this is the weapon used to destroy the antichrists army in Revelation 
19:21.  Pergamum was at the heart of satan's kingdom.  It also had some 
deep seated sin ingrained.  They needed the reminder that the LORD is the 
One Who is at war with the enemy - and will be victorious.

#4 Revelation 2:18 To Thyatira :
  "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith 
   the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet 
   are like fine brass"

Thyatira had gross sin in the fellowship.  Their reminder was from the One 
Who could see to their hearts, and would punish.  Yet there was mercy for 
those who would repent.

#5 Revelation 3:1 To Sardis :
  "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he
   that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars"

Sardis had a name, but no substance - or very little.  Their reminder was 
that the church is the place of God's presence.  They should be focussed on 
Him, not on what man thinks or does....

#6 Revelation 3:7 To Philadelphia :
  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith 
   he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that 
   openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth"

Philadelphia is the missionary church.  God assures them of His 
faithfulness, and reminds them that He has given them the opportunity and 
call that they follow.

#7 Revelation 3:14 To Laodicea :
  "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things 
   saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the 
   creation of God"

Laodicea ... the last word to the churches ... The church swallowed up by 
wordly wealth, smothered like the seed of Matthew 13:22 - "The one who 
received the seed that fell among thorns is the man who hears the word, but 
the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making 
it unfruitful."

Laodicea was at the confluence of trading routes - a wealthy place, known 
for its banking, medical school, textile industry ... and also because its 
water was piped overland from the hot springs of Hierapolis, reaching 
Laodicea as insipidly tepid.  Nearby Colossae had cold springs, which 
would have been preferable to this.

The letter identifies their materialism as a lukewarmeess which makes God 
'spew them from my mouth', and advises them to buy :
	� Gold refined in the fire, that their banks cannot supply...
	� White clothes to wear, the garments of salvation as in Revelation 
	  19:8, instead of the textiles of Laodicea
	� Salve to anoint their eyes so that they can see aright, instead 
	  of the product of the Laodicean medical school...

My intent in this note is not just to unload, but for us to share what sort 
of thing Jesus might say to our church today.  What encouragements, what 
reprimands, and what sort of role He would need to present to us of 
Himself....

							Andrew

Re: .1  (Andrew)

I know that these letters are addressed to the churches (i.e. whole 
congregations), but the letter to the church of Ephesus hits home to me.
I see myself in Jesus' description, praise, and reprimand of that church.