Over the years that message has been read and re-read. It has been studied, dissected and expounded
upon. Wise men, learned men, men with
vast amounts of education and knowledge have tried to understand and explain
the contents of these words. But I’m not
sure we’ve got it yet.
Can I add my take on it to the mix? Let’s consider these
words as messages, bullet points to our “churches”. Find the message that speaks to you. I did.
Allow it to do exactly what God the Father intended it to do both then
and now.
Which church do you attend?
1. EPHESUS: “I see how you have worked. I know you have waited patiently. I know that you will not put up with evil. You have carried the church. You have worked and not quit.”
But I have something to point out to you. You have left your
first love. You have left the things behind that you were once doing successfully. You have forgotten why you were serving. Remember
where you came from. Remember what you
did that was working. If you don’t, I
will remove your church from its place in the community. Turn around.
2. SMYRNA: Satan
will do his best to chain you down. He will hold you in a prison; a prison of
guilt, a prison of habits, a prison of selfishness.
Hold on. Keep on
until you can’t keep on any longer. Do
what you can; God will do what you can’t. He will never ask you to do something
that you cannot do with His help. Be faithful.
3. PERGAMOS: You live
in an evil world but so far you have been faithful. However, gradually you have allowed those who
promote false ideas, beliefs and teachings to lead others astray. You have allowed them to cause others to
stumble.
Successfully deal with this problem. Gain control over it. Conquer it or it will be the ruin of you and
your church.
4. THYATIRA: I see and know your work, love,
service and faith. But don’t allow
beliefs that are untrue to seduce you, to confuse you and to lead you to
evil. You have become like the world and
have not influenced the world to become like you. Remember what you have been
taught. Hold on to what you believe, stay strong.
5. SARDIS: People think of you as a strong
Christian church but in all actuality you are dead. You must reinforce whatever
it is that is good in you. Your works, your service is not perfect in God’s
eyes.
Turn around, repent or else I will come upon you as a thief
in the night. You will never see it coming.
6. PHILADELPHIA: These words are from a Holy
God, an all-powerful God. I know the work that you have done. I have given you a great opportunity that no
one can take away from you. I realize that you are weak and your strength is
fading. But I also know that you have
kept my words and have not denied my name.
Because of this, I will honor you so that those who do wrong
will see how much I love you. I will
hold you.
7. LAODICEA: I have
seen what you are doing. You are satisfied. You are not on fire for me. Oh, you are not against
me but you are simply content. That
makes me sick! You think you have it all
when in fact you have nothing. Riches, health and honor only come from me. I am standing here waiting on you to respond
to me. Anyone who will listen and
respond will have fellowship and a relationship with me.
I want you to understand that I correct and admonish those
that I love.
************
As I read and pondered over these words each message spoke
to me. I hope that you will take time
and find the message that God has sent to you.
Study them to receive God’s approval.
To be successful on this ride you can’t always coast, sometimes you have
to peddle.
