The Seven Churches - Are You In?

 Dear Saints:

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a game changer and a reset button.  In July 2020, “Barna president David Kinnaman indicated that as many as 20 percent of churches could close within the next 18 months.” The reason being that we are now in the digital church age. Barna Group is an organization that studies churches and church movements.

The predicted rate of closure seem alarming but prior to COVID-19, churches were closing at an annual rate of 1% in the USA which is far better than most other institutions.

Who owns churches? Do people own churches? Is it like McDonald restaurant where you buy a franchise? Some churches seem to be and they are the ones that will close.

Jesus own churches and He is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 6). There are churches in different geography locations but there is only one Church. It’s not your denominational church but the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus loved and died for His church therefore He paid the highest price for her. It makes sense that He would speak to the Church He loves so much; hence the revelation to apostle John to the church.

Let’s listen to Jesus speak: 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Revelation 1:11.

The named seven churches (the number seven meaning completeness or perfection derived from God's creation of all things in seven days) were located in the cities of present day Turkey. Why not other locations such Jerusalem? I don’t know but these represent the Church of all times. 

 The message of Jesus is to the specific churches named; the message is also to the individuals in those churches and to the collective church worldwide. As we will discover when we get into chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, there is something there for you and me and we must pay attention.

What Apostle John should write:

¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength…  ¹⁹ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 

²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." Revelation 1: 16,19-20.

As we study this book of Revelation, Jesus explains to us symbols that are not obvious to us. For example: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches”.  

The angels also literally “messengers” represent the pastors or leaders of these seven churches. Observe that Jesus is holding the seven stars in his right hand and He is in the midst of the seven churches.  We need not fear as messengers of God because no one can snatch us from Jesus’ hand. Right now, can you please pray and give that which is causing you fear to Jesus? However, as messengers and people of God, we have a message to deliver to the church and to the world around us.

“Write the things you have seen.” This is what we are reading in this first chapter (please read the entire chapter one of book of Revelation). Write “things which are”. These are the present church condition which are described in chapters two and three. Write “the things which will take place after this”. These are the content of chapters 4-22. It is exciting to see/know the score and the winner before the game is over. Everyone living has an opportunity to choose between The WINNER, JESUS CHRIST or the loser, SATAN.

It is a privilege to be granted an eye into the future. Most people have no clue to the end of the age and as such they have no hope.  You really can’t live without real HOPE which is Jesus Himself.

I cannot imagine living in this present world without the HOPE we are offered in the person of Christ and as explained in the entire Bible. There is nothing worth living or dying for in this present world than for Jesus Himself. Everything else is meaningless. 

It is a great news to know that when I confess, repent, and put my trust/faith in Jesus Christ, all my sins are forgiven; and that I have abundant life now and forever. It is too much of a good/great news to keep to ourselves. The rest of the world must hear it. Please tell someone about Jesus and the HOPE He offers and guarantees.

Friends, there is much reason for us to live with the greatest joy.  “¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:16-19.

Jesus is Risen indeed and Alive and will Rule and Reign Forever. Hallelujah! Lord, help us to listen and obey as you speak to us in the Seven Churches. Amen.