by David Brenneman
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:" Revelation 2:1.
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:" Revelation 2:8.
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:" Revelation 2:12.
All in all 7 churches were written to and all 7 eventually vanished from the pages of history.
But what they were written to about wasn't just for them...what they were written to about was words of encouragement and warning to the future church of Jesus Christ...and us.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." is repeated at the end of every letter that John was to write and to take to each church after his time on Patmos was completed.
The early Church was getting both commendations and condemnation from Jesus. These churches all existed at the same time and yet in retrospect they mirror the various seasons that have come and gone with the universal church.
You were written to in this final book of the Bible as well as I and everyone who's been a part of it and will be until the Rapture of the Church.
You could, if you looked, find aspects of the condition of your heart in these letters if you're being honest with yourself.
The whole of the Bible is a love letter to mankind. Of the rise n fall of mankind because of sin and the redemption plan of God the Father through Jesus Christ.
Have you ever read through your entire love letter from Jesus?
If you have not, why not? The Bible wasn't just written, it was inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
Your guesses at living the righteous life that God desires for you aren't going to cut it.
Your reading in your Bible what constitutes the righteous life that God desires for you will.
Jesus loved you enough to die a horrific death to conquer sin, death and the grave and He wrote you all of that and more for you to enjoy and learn from.
You see, if you have ears to hear, eyes to see, then you have what you need to begin to hear and see what the Spirit has to say to you.
All Believers can hear and learn from the Spirit of God...if they but open up themselves to be taught.
Who should care about what they think they'll miss out on should they put their life in Christ first?
Do you really ever consider the Word of God as 'optional' in living life for Christ? Do you ever commit to sitting down to read and then brush it aside because something came on tv or the computer or your phone instead? "I'll catch up tomorrow". Really, my Dear Reader, are you so fully certain that you have a tomorrow? What if God calls you home tonight? Are you really willing to stand before the Author of your life, of the Word of God, and ply an excuse for not taking the time to get to know Jesus better, to walk in His footsteps?
Your letter awaits.
You were written to.
You are the recipient just as I have been.
You who have ears to hear, hear what is written to the Churches.
Nobody in Christ should be ashamed at His appearing when He returns for His Church...but Scripture indicates many will be.
Will you be among those or will you return to your commitment to learn from the Spirit on how to live a life approved by Jesus Christ?
You are the recipient.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
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