Which Church are You?
As we open our Bible and start at the beginning, it becomes obvious God desired a creation like Himself that He could fellowship with, that would rule with Him in the earth, that would care for His creation and return his love to God, his Creator. Over time, we read about a people God called out, set apart, and anointed to take back what the enemy stole from God and mankind in the beginning.
I finished the first five books of the Old Testament again (the Pentateuch, written by Moses) and every time I read them the Holy Spirit reveals more about God and how He sees the beginning from the end, always planning for the future. Surly you have thought this, that from the Israelites in the Old Testament came the church in the New Testament. Although the Israelites were a people set apart, God made provision for the stranger or foreigner in their camp. From the beginning He was God of the whole earth and all that dwell in it.
At the same time, I read the Old Testament I read through the New Testament Letters. Now in the book of Revelation, it hit me that we are the church that God established in the beginning. There is much to say about that but today let’s look at the seven, specific churches Jesus addressed in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, what He said about them, and what we can learn.
First, these churches were all located in Asia Minor, now called Turkey, not in the Middle East, and not in Isreal. These churches were established by the Apostles and disciples who were with Jesus or became followers after His death and resurrection. They obeyed the words of Jesus by going into all the world (Matthew 28:19).
John, the Apostle, received this revelation of Jesus dated between 70-95AD. We could say somewhere between 35-60 years after Jesus’ resurrection. John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos off the coast of Greece, saw the resurrected Jesus. His countenance differed greatly from the Jesus John saw rise up to heaven (Revelation 1:13-16)! Jesus commissioned John to write down what He said and deliver it to the seven churches. What did Jesus say? He gave a different title of Himself to every church. He had a name for every church. He encouraged and admonished each church concerning their works. He instructied the churches as to what to do!
1. Ephesus – The Loveless Church
In Revelation 2:1, Ephesus is familiar because of Paul’s letter. Paul wrote Ephesians while in prison. John received the mandate while exiled. They had
a. Works
b. Labor
c. Patience
d. Hatred towards evil
e. Tested the spirits
f. Perseverance
g. Left their first love – Jesus
2. Smyrna - the Persecuted Church
a. Works
b. Tribulations
c. Poverty
d. Endured blasphemy
e. Suffering
f. Endure to receive the Crown of Life
3. Pergamus – the Compromising Church
a. Works
b. Holds fast to God’s name
c. While living among Satan’s home and throne
d. Allows false doctrines of demons, causing the children to sin
4. Thyatira -The Corrupt Church
a. Love
b. Service
c. Faith
d. Patience
e. Good works increase
f. Allowed Jezebel, the false prophetess, to teach and seduce
5. Sardis – the Dead Church
a. A few faithful
b. Names written in the Book of Life
c. Thought to be alive, but dead
d. Be watchful to revive those works about to die
e. I will come upon you as a thief
6. Philadelphia – the Faithful Church
a. Works
b. Open Door
c. Strength
d. Kept Jesus’ Word
e. Persevered
f. Will be Kept from the Tribulation (3:10)
7. Laodicea – the Lukewarm Church
a. Great rebuke by God
b. Works that are lukewarm
c. Thinks they are rich, wealthy, and need nothing
d. Really are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked
e. Jesus says, I rebuke and chasten whom I love – Repent!
Seven churches addressed with seven different titles and aspects, facets of who Jesus is. He recognizes the heart of the matter, He rebukes because He loves. He urges repentance. He provides correction because He knows discipline encourages discipleship.
So which church are you? I mean personally, we are the church, a part of the Body of Christ. Which church is the church you attend? Look for a church where God is and Jesus dwells.
I hope you will read the book of Revelation – the revelation of Jesus Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal, speak, and direct you to be the church Jesus can say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Thank you for the opportunity to bring teachings to you each week. I appreciate those who support, like, and share. To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit our website. www.gweinc.org / Leave a comment or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.
And as you know, remember, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
Dr. Michele
November 10, 2024
