There are seven earthly churches called out in the Book of Revelation represented in heaven as lampstands. A similar connection between earth heaven is presented with each angel assigned to the seven churches represented by a star in heaven. Jesus holds the seven stars in His right hand, a place of importance. The same way God placed Christ on a throne to His right, Jesus holds the angels charged to support the churches on earth and by extension us, Christ’s church, the Ekklesia, His people, held close in a place of priority, in His right hand.
Christ’s message to the churches contains one element so critical it is called out specifically for five of the seven churches, REPENT! Stop and take a moment to think about the power that comes from real, raw, truthful repentance. We humble ourselves. We remember it is only through Christ we receive salvation. And only with the grace of God working through us are we able to accomplish anything for His glory! Repentance means submitting to God’s authority in totality. Not seeking to do anything through our own power, but operating only through His.
Repentance brings us closer to God and develops greater righteousness. The need for this message on earth today is so significant it is the message repeated over and over again with regard to the churches on earth. In fact, one of the five was directed to “zealously repent”! This congregation has gone so far down the rabbit hole of sin, they have forgotten how to truly serve God. Sin has quenched the voice of Holy Spirit and there is only one path to return to God.
We each need to take time to self-evaluate areas in our lives that require improvement. And as teachers and leaders in churches, we will be held accountable for the messages we foster. Seeking God’s ways instead of our own and always being willing to stop and repent of wrongdoings is critical to keep us from straying from God’s path. If you are not immediately aware of something you should be doing better for Christ, stop and seek God’s insight into where you need to improve right now. Do not put it off!! Seek God!! And do it honestly. God loves us and He wants to meet us where we are. God will bring you along in His way with His timing, but you have to start with your choice of asking and opening yourself up to receive. Asking for insight is the first step to repentance and there is great power in repentance, God’s power. When we admit our weaknesses and shortcomings, we choose to open our heart for God to work. We lay down our own desires and create space for God to work. He has blessed us with the power of choice and we need to use that gift to seek opportunities to be more righteous, more right in our alignment with Him and His ways. God will use these choices of repentance to our good and His glory.
It is also important to consider those with whom we spend time. Do they also seek righteousness? Are they also holding themselves accountable to God? Are their choices pulling away from God or growing closer to God? It is nearly impossible to lead a righteous life if those we spend the most time with do not seek to do the same. To face last days challenges, we need to continuously seek an upward trend in our lives toward a more righteousness understanding of God’s ways.
Back to the churches. Appendix B provides a view across the churches of the good and bad in each. You’ll likely notice nothing new. The same strengths and weaknesses that existed in biblical times still exist today. Based on the good and bad identified, Christ directs each regarding what to do going forward. Again, remember five of seven were told to repent, and if they do, there will be blessing that follows. Conversely, if they choose not to act, there will be consequences.
To see the value in our repentance and turning from evil ways, lets highlight the promises Christ makes to those who choose to turn from evil ways. Christ promises when we adhere to His direction, stop our sin and follow God’s commandments we will:
- Eat from the tree of life in paradise of God
- Receive the Crown of Life
- Receive hidden manna (supernatural sustenance as was provided to the Israelites in the desert)
- Receive a new name only known to Christ and God on a white stone
- Receive authority over nations (supernatural authority given by God, as was done for Christ)
- Walk with Christ in white
- Never have our name blotted from the Book of Life
- Be confessed by name to the Father by Christ (Wow!! Who doesn’t want that??!!)
The Church of Philadelphia is called out as having “little power”, yet kept God’s word and did not deny Christ. Their list of blessings is long. They will:
- Experience false synagogue bowing to their feet
- Be kept from the hour of trial in the world
- Be a pillar in the temple of God in new Jerusalem
- Never go out of temple
- Will have the name of God written on them
- Receive their own new name (also for Pergamum)
Proceeding through our study, this church seems to parallel the true church of Christ in the last days also referred to as the Ekklesia. Similar to the church of Philadelphia, the last days saints will have little power and be confronted by the antichrist and a false synagogue. Those who hold true to Christ to the very end are promised a role as a pillar in the temple of God in the new Jerusalem. They will never need to leave God’s temple and will be protected from the hour of “temptation” (KJV), “trial” (NKJV, NIV, ESV). All of the churches are given hope through the promises of blessings through repentance and turning to God. But out of all the churches, Philadelphia is the only one to receive this exceptional level of blessing, being a pillar in God’s temple with Christ.
Regardless of circumstance, we see God’s hope in the church of Sardis, “Thou has a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” – Revelation 3:4 KJV With sin capturing many in Sardis, there are still some who have lived righteously. Evil will continue to grow in the last days, but we still have the opportunity to live as God commanded. By His strength, we all have the power to reflect Christ, no matter how bad the world around us becomes. Scripture is true, telling us following Christ and God’s ways in the most evil of places will be rewarded with white robes.
We can see division in the world increasing today. God’s plumb line has been cast and we are seeing people choose which side of that line they will live on. One side is the way of God and the other is the way of this world. As this division grows deeper, our challenges on earth will grow. They will become greater in scope and require increasing levels of trust in God. Regardless of where we are on the post salvation spectrum, we will be tested but will ultimately rise to be with Christ and almighty God the Father for eternity, dressed in white!
10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. – Revelation 3:10 KJV
Patience is another theme reiterated throughout scripture, Old and New Testaments. We become anxious when we focus on our own ideas of what God should do and how He should address a situation. These feelings lead us to want God to do something our way instead of His way. Patience and handing over all authority in our lives to God will be critical through last days events. Only through God will we maintain hope and be protected from the misleading’s of false gods and doctrines of devils. Scripture tells us, we need to sustain ourselves on solid food of the Word of God instead of waiting to be fed only milk.
God has an infinite number of ways to protect and shepherd us on earth.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 KJV
Through anything the devil will throw at us earth, God is in control and can keep us from harm. Take a moment to focus on the messages from these chapters relating to last day’s scripture:
- “little power” – We do not need to have earthly power to be champions for Christ.
- “keep God’s word” – We need to carry ourselves righteously, aligned with God as scripture details.
- Do “not deny Christ” – We must stand for Christ at all cost and recognize what that looks like.
Standing for Christ is pitting yourself against the evil of this world. That evil is fighting more and more violently every day. Christians are beheaded outside of the US when standing for their faith in Christ against Islam. Future passages in Revelation detail the violent actions that will be in play during the last days. Christ taught His followers to be patient and be prepared for that evil to come. We prepare ourselves by studying His Word, acknowledging His supernatural strategy for our protection and having faith He will continue to display His Almighty power in new ways to protect us.
We will delve more deeply into elements of God’s supernatural powers in later sections. But for now, acknowledging the violent actions taking place against Christians in the world today will help those of us in more protected and blessed regions to prepare mentally for the reality that is still to come on earth.
The church of Laodiceans is criticized greatly, being referred to as lukewarm, weak. They are an example of those who have not stood for Christ or the ways of God. They have allowed scripture to be watered down, weakening and destroying God’s message. They have found excuses to take away the literal nature of biblical stories. They have walled off their own hearts to create a religious safe place, blocking out God. If any of these words are plucking your heartstrings, there is always mercy available through repentance. Staying in the middle and not making waves may be one of the most difficult scenarios to overcome as a human. When we find comfort shifting our ways with the tides and our surroundings, we are useless to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ and deserve to be spat out! That may be why scripture tells us turning from these ways, we will be given a great reward of sitting on the throne with Christ.
Christ reminds us of the hope available to us.
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. – Revelation 2:11 KJV.
Christ speaks of His return for those who have not repented and been watchful.
3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. – Revelation 3:3 KJV
Christ speaks promise to those who overcome.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. – Revelation 3:5 KJV.
Christ has been given authority from Father God and has the ability to blot names from the book of life. If we choose to lay down our salvation in Christ because we feel we have been let down by God because He did not address things on earth the way we would have chosen, the path to falling away is very possible. In fact, many Atheists once called themselves Christians, but became disappointed in some way that resulted in them turning away from the Bible and Christ. Those who choose to reject Christ will have their names blotted out of the book of Life.
Before concluding these chapters, there is a warning from Christ we need to heed. Those operating with unrepentant hearts will miss being with Christ upon His glorious return. God chooses to soften or harden hearts. Our choices to sin trigger that hardening process. Unless we are seeking God to identify our sin and genuinely appealing for His ways to cleanse it, we have the potential to establish and dwell in an unhealthy sinful rut that keeps us from God and Christ.
There are messages for each of us provided through Christ’s critique of the churches. Remember, Christ holds the keys to death and hell. He is sovereign in His power and His desire is to use that power through us, His Church, the Ecclesia (Latin), the Ekklesia (Greek).
Appendix A (additions)
Revelation 2-3 – Christ Elements to Remember
- REPENT!!! Repentance brings us back to Christ and the love of God. It restores us to again become grounded in the ways of the Lord and rejuvenates us to carryon, seeking to serve with gladness and singleness of heart!!
- Heed Christ’s Warnings! There are consequences for our choices and actions, or lack there of!
- Those standing for Christ with “little power” on earth are still serving God’s will.
- Remember, we are small, but God’s power is GREAT!
- “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out” – Revelation 3:12 KJV. Becoming a pillar in the temple of God in the new Jerusalem is the greatest reward and is possible with patient endurance.
- We will need to guard our hearts from anything on earth that results in us losing hope or having a failing heart for God.