Was studying the 7 churches and what Jesus had to say about them in Revelation. Was loving the representational aspect. How Jesus's concerns and compliments apply today. Hoping He considers my church as the Philadelphia representation. Still, I also loved, the aspect of Him still knocking at the door of our hearts of unbelief, even in the lukewarm aspects of the Laodiceans. He still will invite unbelievers into faith, if they simply open the door as He knocks. He never forces His way into our beliefs. He comes by knocking, and our inviting Him in!!
So here's how I am seeing the representations of these seven churches today. Unbelief seems to be the core of Jesus' concern for us. Remember, we believers are, the "church." That's why I love the name of my church family, Calvary CHAPEL.
Points I gleaned: "Belief is the relief for unbelief." "Repent and remain faithful." "Persevere and be Preserved." Revelation 2 and 3 are about what IS.
EPHESUS
Problem: Left their first love and stopped doing their first works of faith.
Solution: Repentance, holding fast to the Bible, overcoming and becoming ready by faith, for rapture and to be spared tribulation.
SMYRNA
Problem: Represents believers facing martyrdom, the persecuted church, those imprisoned for their faith from Nero, to Diocletian to 2014 beheadings and other atrocious murders in the name of a faith.
Solution: Encourage them to "Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."Rev 2:10d
PERGAMOS
Problem: Worldliness has become part of these churches. Christianity is stated as the national or state religion yet prayerlessness, closed Bibles and faithless compromise predominates. Bibles have been revised and rewritten, so that God's word is unrecognizable.
Solution: Repent or else. Revelation 2:16a "Repent or else"
THYATIRA
Problem: Represents the church from 500AD to now which is unrepentant, seeing no need to change our sin filled laws and ways.
Solution: "But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations -" Revelation 2:25
SARDIS
Problem: This church represents the Protestant Reformation. The reformed structure of church governments which retained Babylonian traditions. Many of today's denominations fit here.
Solution: Reorganize these churches according to God's word not man's ideas of structuring church government. Repent.
PHILADELPHIA
No real problems here as this church represents non-denominational churches which adhere to God's word; are open to all; are commandment keepers and seek to persevere, without denying God's name.
Jesus encourages these: "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have that no none may take your crown" --
Basically we are told here to, "Persevere by faith and be Preserved from the hour of trial coming upon the whole world"- "Persevere and be Preserved"
LAODICEA
Problem: Perhaps represents a narcissistic church who feel that they are pretty good, are rich, having become wealthy and needing nothing - Jesus says He will vomit this church out of His mouth, because He describes them as neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm!
Solution: "Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 2:19b-21
Father of Salvation, Giver of Grace, Designer of Love, Builder of Life, Inventor of Light, Guardian and Generator of all Truth it is to You we come to ask You to FORM and INFORM our prayers.
We seek to never pray AMISS. We want to splash into the holy, heavenly stream of intercession Jesus offers continually on our behalf. We depend on You. Please erase our unbelief. We seek to please Your heart and to be found in the center of Your will, therefore, we pray for our pastors and churches. Reform not only our prayer, but our worship, our Bible understandings and our pastor/teachers. Cause churches to more closely resemble aspects to the way You see Philadelphia. Please fire up the Laodicean aspects of other churches. Inspire every church to embrace repentance and to strengthen faith in Jesus. Remove compromise and worldly weakness. God, You are spiritual superiority. Cleanse us spiritually and help each of us be open invitations to You.
We pray peace to Israel. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for our earthly fathers, their strengths, their weaknesses, forgiveness and for being everyone's Heavenly Father, who will simply Believe Jesus. Amen.
Special thanks to Pastor Chuck's footnotes in the Word for Today Bible, and along with prayer and decades of attending and observing various churches, these ideas came to me today, so I wrote them here. Clearly, I am no scholar, not an expert on any of it, but I am another one of His "Student Lambs." I love focusing on His ways, His word and His wonders! There is so much to learn, do for and receive from our faithful God. Merry Christmas 2014…..
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