The Book of Revelations presents many problems, some interpreting it one way — and some another, but Chapters two and three are easy to comprehend and contain many valuable lessons.
The letters contained in these two chapters are addressed “to the seven Churches which are in Asia.” There were more than seven churches in Asia at that time, but these seven (the number of completeness in the Bible) letters cover the strengths, the weaknesses and the problems of all the churches at that time and throughout the ages since then.
These letters are a message from Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5), who reveals to us how the actions of the believers are seen by Him. He is in the midst of the seven candlesticks (light-stands), which are the seven churches (Rev. 1: 20). We are quite familiar with the idea of Jesus being among us, though not visible, as we read in Matthew 18: 20. “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”
If we can keep this idea in our minds always, we shall find it easier to be kind, considerate, thoughtful and understanding in our dealings with one another, just as we would if we could see Jesus sitting in our group, whether at Sunday service, Bible Class, business meeting or any other occasion.
This realization is brought home to us forcefully when we notice that each letter commences with the statement, “I know thy works.”
It is not enough to be in agreement on matters of belief, though that is certainly necessary, (“can two walk together unless they be agreed” Amos 3:3). We are required to believe that “God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6) with all that that entails. The same verse begins by saying, “Without faith it is impossible to please God,”, but James takes us a step further when he says that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Faith and works can not be separated. If we believe we will do.
It is therefore, necessary for us to show our faith and belief by our works, and we can rest assured that our works, good or bad, are known to God and to Christ.
It is not necessary to list all the good points and the failures of the seven churches. We can and should read them carefully and check our own actions to see what we can do to improve ourselves.
At the end of each letter, we find a promise of the reward to be given to those who “overcome.” Taking them all together we find a comprehensive picture of what is in store for those who make the effort now and overcome the temptations encountered in this life.
Ephesus: ” . . . to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Rev. 2: 7)
Smyrna. ” . . . shall not be hurt of the second death” (Rev.2:11)
Pergamos: ” . . . will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it.” (Rev. 2: 17)
Thyatira: ” . . . to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. (Rev. 2. 26-27).
Sardis: ” . . . shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels.” (Rev. 3: 5)
Phila. ” . . . will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out, and will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the City of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down from heaven from My God, and I will write upon him My new Name”. (Rev. 3:12)
Laodicea: ” . . . will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with My Father in His Throne.” (Rev. 3: 21)
The churches in these seven cities, to whom these letters were addressed, have long since ceased to exist, but the information in the letters applies as much to us as it did to them.
Let us not be fearful because our works are known, but let us do our best to make sure that all these glorious promises apply to us.
In conclusion, I should like to bring to your attention the words of a writer, unknown to me, R. H. L. Sheppard. They are brief and to the point.
“Christianity does not consist in abstaining from doing things no gentleman would think of doing, but in doing things that are unlikely to occur to one who is not in touch with the Spirit of Christ.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One