THE CHURCHES OF REVELATION: PURPOSE OF THE MESSAGES


 THE CHURCHES OF REVELATION 

Bible Study


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PURPOSE OF THE MESSAGES

While the messages to the seven churches given in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 should be understood individually, it is also important to understand them collectively.

I believe there are three main reasons for these messages:

  1. They prepare Christians for the end times -- these messages do contain several references to the end times, including some promises and some warnings. In this sense, they complement the commands of Jesus in the Olivet discourse (Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) to be alert, ready, and prepared for his coming.
  2. They help us understand why the end times will be so severe for the churches -- The churches are supposed to be holy (Eph.5:27, 1 Peter 1:14-16) and they are called to be Christ’s representatives on earth (2 Cor. 5:20, ! Peter 2:11-12). 
  3. They remind us to stay saved. The popular belief “once saved always saved” is not biblical. 

As such, I take it as a sorrowful situation that five of the seven churches needed to receive a rebuke of some sort and were told to repent or face judgment, and two of those churches received no commendation at all. 

ASSESSMENTS OF THE CHURCHES 

  • There are 2 churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia) that received commendations without any sort of rebuke. It is significant to note that both of these churches faced persecution. This isn’t just a coincidence. Persecution is like a refining fire that purifies. It almost goes without saying that false Christians will not stick around when the true Church comes under persecution.
  • There are 3 churches (Ephesus, Pergamum, and Thyatira) that received a mixed review, with come commendations and some rebukes.
  • There are 2 churches (Sardis and Laodicea) that received rebukes with no real commendation. They are the “dead” church and the “lukewarm” church, respectively.

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