Letters (warnings) to the Churches
Posted on May 17th, 2025 by Redeemed!Jesus Christ sent letters to His Church by the hand of His chosen vessel, Apostle John, who was on the island of Patmos. The letters addressed to the seven Churches in Asia are applicable even to the Church today. Seven, representing wholeness or completeness, speaks to the whole Church of Christ.
John the Apostle was in the spirit on the Lord’s day when he saw these things:
“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. I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you...” (Paraphrased) - Revelation 2:1-2
Jesus is aware of the happenings in His Church and has sent warnings as well as recommendations ahead of time. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He knows the end even before the beginning begins! All we need to know is contained in His Word, written down for all ages and across all times and eras of the working of the Godhead. At the appropriate time, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father has sent after Christ’s Ascension, continues to work with the Church to remind us of the things the Lord has said and teach us the things we need to know.
In each of the addresses to the Seven Churches, Jesus revealed His glory according to the state of the Church and the area He is speaking to.
To the Church in Ephesus
He is the one "who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands." The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches, and the seven Lampstands are the seven Churches. Jesus, in revealing Himself as the one "who holds and walks in the midst of..." was speaking to and about the leadership of the Church. He was speaking about being genuine in their calling and sending warnings to those who had drifted to repentance. He also sent encouragement to those who were weary to hold fast to what is true and depart from what is wrong, else they will lose their lampstand.
To the Church in Smyrna
He is "the First and the Last, who died and returned to life." (Paraphrased) - Revelation 2:7 The Church in Smyrna was facing persecution from within the Church and without (external forces), even almost to the point of death. Jesus, in revealing Himself as the one who has overcome death, was addressing their fears and encouraging them to stay faithful because He had gone through the same things and had overcome. A crown awaits those who will stay faithful. This encouragement is particularly needed at such a time when being a Christian can be very dangerous in some societies.
To the Church in Pergamum
He is "the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword." - Revelation 2:12-13 Jesus, revealing Himself as the One with the sharp, double-edged sword, speaks to the dangerous zone they lived in and the fact that they are equipped with His weapon – which is His Word (the sword of the Spirit). His warnings to those who held onto the doctrines of the Nicolaitans were to "repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth..." Some of them held onto the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cause a stumbling block for Israel on their way to the promised land. The Nicolaitans’ teachings, allow all manner of unrestrained living. This too could be a stumbling block to the Church.
To the Church in Thyatira
He is "the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze." - Revelation 2:18-20 The feet and the blazing eyes speak to their services and the quality of it. The warnings for them were to repent from sexual immorality and eating of food sacrificed to idols – these are also the teachings of the false prophetess that Jesus called Jezebel. Jesus warned that if they don't repent, He will strike them, but to the rest who hold no such teaching and hold onto what they have received from Jesus to the end, He will reward with authority over nations.
To the Church in Sardis
He is "the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars." - Revelation 3:1The lamps in the temple must be attended to and kept burning in the Old Testament by Aaron and his sons and in the New Testament by the Church (individuals indwelled by the Spirit of God). This is also alluded to by the parable of the ten virgins – five kept their lamps burning, while the other five allowed their lamps to dim out. - Matthew 25:1 Jesus's warnings was that the deeds or services of this Church were incomplete. A white garment and the promise that their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life is what Jesus said will be a reward for those who overcome.
To the Church in Philadelphia
He is "the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open." - Revelation 3:6-7 In Jesus' address to the Seven Churches in Asia, this is the only Church without a rebuke. He commended them for their deeds and perseverance despite their little strength and then gave them the gift of an open door – one no one can close. He also assured them of something so precious - "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." - Revelation 3:10. He promised to protect the Church and spare her the pains of the great tribulation. He also promised those who are faithful a name and a place in the city of God, the new Jerusalem that will come down from God.- Revelation 12:11-12.
To the Church in Laodicea
He is "the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation." - Revelation 3:14-15 This Church was neither cold nor hot – it had the just about right temperature. This truly is alarming because backsliding doesn't happen suddenly. It is very gradual, and most times, people are not even aware they have backslidden until they realize they have no pleasure in doing the things they used to love doing for the LORD.
May the LORD help us to run with determination and by His grace finish well.
God bless. Peace!
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