I have long desired to preach a series on the seven churches in Revelation, but really never identified an appropriate time, that is until now. During this year of our 250th anniversary celebration, I truly believe it’s a wonderful time to begin a period of discernment and renewal for St. Jacob’s. Where have we been? What have we done? What is God calling us to do and to be? These are questions that naturally flow in reflection of these seven letters of Christ. I hope and pray you all found these lessons and sermons as thought provoking as I have. What follows in this article are seven lessons I learned from the seven letters.
Lesson #1 – Jesus Loves the Church
Our Lord, who identifies himself as “He who walks among the seven golden lampstands” keeps a close eye on his church; he knows what is going on and he cares deeply (Rev 2:1). He cares enough to provide specific encouragement, specific warnings, and wonderful promises. So, what about us? Do we love the Church as Christ loves the Church? Are we devoted and attentive to the ministries of our congregation? What we learned from these seven letters is that Christians often say “yes” with their lips, but their actions don’t always match their words. In response to these letters, we should all examine our priorities, our schedules, and yes, our bank accounts. If we love Jesus Christ, we will love what he loves, which includes his Church and we will care for it as much as he does.
Lesson #2 – Works Are Not Enough
Most of the churches the Lord Jesus addresses in these letters were busy and hardworking. Jesus says repeatedly to the churches “I know your deeds.” But for some, these deeds were deceptive. They overshadowed a hollow, loveless faith. Their activity covered up the lack of their true sense of reality. Jesus’s statement “I know your works” was usually followed up with “But I have this against you.” Only the churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia escaped such criticism from our Lord. For instance, the congregation at Ephesus was hardworking but their works were accomplished mostly to build up their public reputation. Sardis, was busy but spiritually lifeless. Their worship was as a congregation simply going through the motions, with little or no awareness of God’s presence. If you closely examine most of these churches, you will find a full range of activity but little evidence of their love for Jesus.
This is the danger. We must continually express our love for Christ. Like all real relationships, it takes work. We have to make sure we spend time with him in his Word, in prayer, and especially with his people.
Lesson #3 – Truth Really Matters
For Ephesus, Sardis and Laodicea the problem was a failure to genuinely live out the truth of the gospel. For Pergamum and Thyatira the problem was a failure to defend it. All five of these churches allowed false teachers to gain influence in their churches or allowed their loved ones to be falsely influenced and led astray. The one who has the sharp double-edged sword condemns their carelessness with choice words. He calls on Pergamum to repent, lest he come “to fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Defining and defending the truth of the gospel against contemporary distortions and dilutions is an important duty for Christian ministers in every age. As we recall the reasons for leaving our former church body, we should be true to those reasons and defend our loved ones against those who would preach a “new gospel.” The truth of God’s Word is unchanging, as Jesus says in these letters, he is the “faithful and true witness.” The devil presents false teaching in subtle ways wrapping them in warm fuzzy feelings through which he can sneak up and devour those who would fall prey to his clever lies and twisted truth.
Lesson #4 – Persecution Is Not Permanent
Two of the seven letters were written to churches facing overt persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. The Church at Philadelphia had been weakened by external opposition; the Church at Smyrna was being slandered and faced prison, even death. Yet, Jesus encourages these two churches by reminding them that persecution is not permanent. He assures them there is a great reversal coming when the victims will become the victors (Judgment Day) and the martyrs will be made into royalty and will be given “the crown of life.” Our circumstances may not be as dangerous as theirs, but this lesson is still vital.
Lesson #5 – Endurance Is Essential
The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, growing to thirty meters in length. This majestic creature travels several thousand miles every year in migration and can dive to a depth of fifteen hundred feet. But did you know that the humble barnacle can travel the same distance and depth. How? Simply by holding on to the blue whale.
So it is with us. Through all the ups and downs of life in this world, we are to hold onto Christ and never let go, to trust him and to keep trusting him. To the “one who is victorious”, Christ promises, “I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels” (Rev. 3:5).
The Lord Jesus repeatedly and in various ways calls his wayward or weak churches to turn to him in faith and trust. He calls on them to endure to the end, to overcome, even if this means, as in the case of Smyrna, to be faithful “to the point of death.”
Lesson #6 – Our Battle Is Spiritual
Some of the letters mention certain groups and individuals causing trouble for the church: the Jews, the Nicolaitans, a woman referred to as ‘Jezebel.’ But this opposition is ultimately attributed to Satan. They are described as “a synagogue of Satan,” the city of Pergamum as the place “where Satan’s throne is,” and the teaching of Jezebel as “the deep things of Satan.” As the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:12, our struggle is “against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil.”
Lesson #7 – Our Future Is Bright
Each of the seven letters follows the same pattern. They begin with a description of Christ, drawn from Revelation chapter 1; followed by words of commendation (except for Laodicea); words of rebuke (except for Smyrna and Philadelphia); and words of encouragement or correction; and then finally, a promise for “those who are victorious.” Each of the promises reveals some aspect of our salvation. They can serve to encourage us to keep going and to not give up until that day when Jesus returns to gather his people to himself once and for all. Jesus Christ promised the church at Laodicea, “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” In our 250th year of ministry, these are lessons and promises we can rely on and run towards together. And just as Jesus concludes each letter, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
