THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION (REV 2:1-29, REV 3:1-22)
From the Board of Elders
Dear Members in Christ,
The Seven Churches of Revelation
(Rev 2:1-29, Rev 3:1-22)
Will our work for the Lord continue for generations to come?
The last book of the Bible was written by the Apostle John. It is “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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” Revelation 1:1-2.
Where is Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship (CJBPF)’s faith and work for the Lord today? Where does CJBPF stand if we are to measure against the 7 Churches in the book of Revelation. Pray and mark with a tick (√) where you think CJBPF is against these 7 Churches.
God had given instructions to these 7 churches to follow if they are not to go into oblivion. Sadly today, these 7 Churches are in ruins and had become historical sites. Will our Church follow the way of the 7 Churches?
Church |
Commendation |
Criticism |
Instruction |
Please tick (√) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ephesus (2:1-7) |
Rejects evil, perseveres, has patience |
Love for Christ - no longer fervent. "... hast left thy first love". |
Do the works you did at first |
|
Smyrna (2:8-11) |
Gracefully bears suffering |
None |
Be faithful until death |
|
Pergamos (2:12-17) |
Keeps the faith of Christ. |
Tolerates immorality, idolatry and heresies |
Repent |
|
Thyatira (2:18-29) |
Works, charity, service, faith, patience is greater than at first |
Tolerates cult of idolatry and immorality |
Judgement coming, keep the faith |
|
Sardis (3:1-6) |
Some have kept the faith and "are worthy" |
A dead church |
Repent; strengthen what remains |
|
Philadelphia (3:7-13) |
Little strength and "yet kept my word, and has not denied my name". Perseveres in the faith |
None |
Keep the faith |
|
Laodicea (3:14-22) |
None |
Contented and "need of nothing", "Lukewarm, neither cold or hot" i.e. indifferent. |
Be zealous and repent |
What do we need to do? We need to wake up from our slumber and comfort zone. We need to get up and start working for the Lord. We need to renew our first love for Him and with zeal and enthusiasm do His work. We need to repent of our sins and come to the Lord. We need to be revived, faithful unto Him. Trust and obey Him. Be zealous and busy about His work.
God tells us to “ Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” 1 Peter 5:2 and “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5.
These words are spoken to all leaders and believers. All believers are leaders and teachers, in their own right, in their respective homes, work places or any other places as they share and preach the message of salvation, and the righteous living for Christ to non-believers and encourage fellow saints, within and outside the Church. Let us bring more souls into His kingdom.
Let us pray for God’s mercy and grace that CJBPF will not be in ruins or go into oblivion from the testimony and witnessing for Christ in the generations to come. Let us put our hands together to the plough to do His work diligently and urgently. May all leaders and believers repent and be revived, renewed in mind and spirit to do the work of the Lord together in CJBPF with love and fervency, for His Glory “... for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.
May we hear the Lord say “well done, thou good and faithful servant” when we see Him face-to-face.
Eld Choe TS