The Lord's Instructions
It is important to approach Christ's letters to the churches with a proper understanding of who it is that is speaking. If you haven't already, please read the intro to this article here: An Introduction To The Revelation Of Christ and then return to read this article in proper context.
The Revelation of Christ (as delivered to the apostle John), shows a picture of Christ that in many contemporary christian churches today is seldom accurately portrayed, if not completely rejected. The prophecy of Revelation begins with a loud and commanding voice that directs John to write the things he will see and hear to seven churches. John turns to see who is speaking and sees an overwhelming depiction of the glory of Christ, so that he falls like a dead man at His feet. The Risen Christ tells John to rise, and continues to give instructions to be sent out to seven churches. The voice of Christ in Revelation is authoritative, clear and distinct - coming from the One to whom all authority has been given in Heaven and on earth (Revelation 1:9-20).
The Risen Lord is giving instructions to seven historical churches (that existed at the time this revelation was delivered to John). The summary commands of the Lord to all seven churches are centered around obeying, defending, holding fast to, and living in accordance with the message that they have received concerning Christ and His gospel. Revealed in these letters is the Lord's measure of faithfulness and either His approval and promises, or rebuke and discipline. In the Lord's instructions to these seven churches, five of them receive rebuke and are commanded to repent or be disciplined by Him (with some being threatened with complete removal). Only two are commended without rebuke, and they are urged to hold fast to what they have obtained with the promise of reward.
For All Who Can Hear - Not Just These Churches
These instructions were to be delivered to seven historic churches that actually existed, but in each of the Lord's commands to the churches He extends those commands to "all who can hear what the Spirit says to the churches".
The Lord's declaration for "those who can hear what the Spirit says to the churches" implies that the instructions, commands, rebukes, and commendations are also applicable. For everyone who can hear the Lord's clear, distinct and authoritative voice, there will be accountability and faithfulness measured by them.
These commands apply to every church, pastor, congregation, and individual who makes the claim to know Him and be instructed by His Spirit.
The Spirit's Instructions For Hearers
For Hearers Like The Church In Ephesus
The Orthodox But Loveless Church
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Christ commends the church in Ephesus for holding fast to sound doctrine and patiently enduring. He commends them for testing and not tolerating false teachers. He commends them for hating those who practice licentiousness in Christ's name (as a result of false doctrine). The Lord rebukes the church in Ephesus for falling into routine instead of acting from love (as they had at first and as a result of their initial faith in Christ through the gospel). The Spirit is measuring this church as commendable for not tolerating false teachers and for hating the fruit of those false teachings, but also finds them wanting for failing to act in love like they did when they first believed. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Ephesus, there is both a warning and a promise. For those who remember and return to their love and continue to endure, there is the promise of eternal life and continued impact for Christ's kingdom. For those who do not, their impact and influence for Christ would also be removed.
For Hearers Like The Church In Smyrna
The Faithful Persecuted Church
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
The Lord commends and encourages the church in Smyrna for their faithfulness. They were persecuted, marginalized, and prevented from trading or working as a result of their faith and standing for Christ under the pressure and heavy persecution of the Roman government and the Jewish synagogues in that area. The Lord encourages the church for its faithfulness, lets them know the trials are temporary, and urges them to continue to be faithful even if it costs them their lives. The Spirit measures this church for its faithfulness in spite of immense tribulation, poverty, and persecution and offers no rebuke - only commendation. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Smyrna, the Spirit encourages hearers to have no fear and be faithful, even if it costs you everything - including this life. For those who endure a short time of testing and tribulation, there is the promise of eternal life, without fear of judgment.
For Hearers Like The Church In Pergamum
The Compromising Church
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
“‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
The Lord knows that the church in Pergamum is at the center of a major sphere of influence from false teaching and paganism in an anti-Christian culture (where Satan dwells). He commends them for holding fast to His name, but rebukes them for compromising with and tolerating false teachers and the fruit of their false teachings. The Spirit measures this church as commendable for holding fast to sound doctrine in spite of heavy anti-Christian influence, yet rebukes them for compromise and tolerance of those among them who hold to and practice false teaching and wickedness. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Pergamum, the Spirit encourages hearers to test and not tolerate false teaching and wicked practice, as well as hold fast to the Lord and His words even in the midst of a godless and perverse culture. For those who overcome, there is the promise of sustenance and approval from the Lord. For those who do not repent, the Lord will come Himself and fight those who are false with the word from His own mouth.
For Hearers Like The Church In Thyatira
The Seduced Church
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
“‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
The Lord (who knows and sees all) commends the church in Thyatira for faith, patient endurance, and love that produces works of service in increasing measure. He rebukes them for tolerating a culture of false teaching that seduces His servants to compromise and practice wickedness. The Spirit measures this church as commendable for holding fast to sound doctrine, enduring patiently, and growing in loving acts of service, yet rebukes them for compromise and tolerance of those who hold to and practice false teaching and wickedness. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Thyatira, the Spirit encourages hearers not to be seduced by false teaching and to hold fast to what they have obtained with the promise that he will place no further burden on them. The promise for those who overcome and endure to the end is that they (with the Lord) will rule the nations. For those who tolerate and are seduced by false teaching and the practice of wickedness, the Lord promises great tribulation.
For Hearers Like The Church In Sardis
The Famous But Dead Church
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
The Lord has no commendation for the church in Sardis. He rebukes them for being "dead" and asleep, though they have the reputation of being "alive" and vibrant. He commands them to "wake up" and strengthen what remains of their faith and is about to die. He urges them to remember what they have previously received and heard and keep it before it is too late. There are only a few in Sardis still faithful. The Spirit measures this church as reputable only in their own eyes and perhaps in the eyes of the world, but in the Lord's measure are asleep and dead to what has previously been received. They have failed to faithfully keep and obey it. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Sardis, the Spirit encourages hearers not to be wise in their own eyes, or in the eyes of the world, but to be faithful and remember what was previously received and keep it. The promise for those who overcome is that they will walk with the Lord in white garments, sanctified, and will never be blotted out of the Lord's book of life. For those who will not wake up and repent, the Lord will come against them suddenly when they are unaware.
For Hearers Like The Church In Philadelphia
The Faithful Church With Little Influence Or Power
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
The Lord commends and encourages the church in Philadelphia for their faithfulness in the midst of persecution and marginalization by the hand of unbelievers and Jewish sects in that area. The Lord encourages the church for its faithfulness, though it may seem to have little perceived power or influence. The sovereign Lord has opened a door for them that cannot be shut. He urges them to hold fast to what they have obtained and keep patiently enduring. He promises to keep them from coming tribulation. The Spirit measures this church for its faithfulness to His word in spite of seemingly little power or influence and while under persecution. He gives them no rebuke - only encouraging commendation. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Philadelphia, the Spirit encourages hearers to remain faithful to the Lord's word, though it may seem to others to be accomplishing little. For those who endure, there is the promise of acknowledgement and approval, including permanent residence with the Lord in His temple in the new Jerusalem, marked with His new name.
For Hearers Like The Church In Laodicea
The Self-deceived Church
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
The Lord has only rebuke for the church in Laodicea. He tells them they are poor, wretched, blind, and naked. In their own blind eyes they are wealthy, flourishing, and blessed, but they are deceived. This church is happily active in their own pursuits, but the Lord and His Spirit are outside of it, absent from their activity. He reminds them that those He loves, He reproves and disciplines. The Spirit measures this church as unfaithful, blind to the word of the Lord and destitute of spiritual understanding or obedience. They have completely abandoned Christ in their congregation, and He stands outside waiting to come in. To those who can hear the Lord's message and are like the church in Laodicea, the Spirit reminds that repentance and discipline are a part of fellowship with the Lord among those He loves. He urges them to hear and obey His counsel and repent, bringing sight rather than their current blindness, a covering in His righteousness rather than their current nakedness, and true eternal wealth rather than their current spiritual poverty. For those who repent and overcome, the Lord promises they will sit with Him on His throne.
Summarizing The Lord's Measure
The Risen Christ measures, reproves, and disciplines those that He loves. In these letters to the churches, He urges all who can hear His Spirit to measure themselves by His commands to the churches and to remember what they have seen, heard, and received. He urges them to obey.
The Lord commends those who hold fast to the sound doctrine of His word with integrity (just as they have heard and received from Him). He commends those who obey His word and perform acts of obedience with a motive of love and patient endurance. He commends those who practice discernment and reject false teaching. He commends those who do not compromise with, tolerate, or participate in false teaching or the wickedness that arises from it. He commends those who stand against worldly cultures and endure persecution and tribulation patiently, even if it may cost their very lives.
He rebukes those who compromise with or tolerate worldliness, false teaching, and licentiousness. He rebukes those who fail to remain zealous and obey His word out of love and pure motives. He rebukes those who are wise, influential, or flourishing in their own eyes but unfaithful to obey and keep His word and His teachings. He rebukes those who are busy about their own activity (though claiming to belong to Him) but are unfaithful to let His word change their hearts and minds to obey and truly fellowship with Him.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
