Seven Churches - Again

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A few weeks ago I wrote a little bit about the Seven Churches in Revelation.

I guess the Seven Churches captured my attention much longer than I thought. Here's a bit I wrote in 2006, just for my own edification. Enjoy!




CommendationCriticismInstructionPromise
EphesusRejects evil, perseveres, has patienceLove for Christ no longer ferventDo the works you did at firstThe tree of life
SmyrnaGracefully bears sufferingNoneBe faithful until deathThe crown of life
PergamosKeeps the faith of ChristTolerates immorality, idolatry, and heresiesRepentHidden manna and a stone with a new name
ThyatiraLove, service, faith, patience is greater than at firstTolerates cult of idolatry and immoralityJudgment coming; keep the faithRule over nations and receive morning star
SardisSome have kept the faithA dead churchRepent; strengthen what remainsFaithful honored and clothed in white
PhiladelphiaPerseveres in the faithNoneKeep the faithA place in God’s presence, a new name, and the New Jerusalem
LaodiceaNoneIndifferentBe zealous and repentShare Christ’s throne

The positives: reject evil, persevere, have patience, gracefully bear suffering, keep the faith of Christ, love service, faith, increased patience, persevere in the faith

The negatives: love for Christ is not fervent, tolerates immorality, idolatry and heresies, tolerates a cult of idolatry and immorality, a dead church, indifferent

Instructions: do the works you did at first, when you still loved Christ fervently, be faithful unto death, repent, judgment coming, keep the faith, repent, strengthen what remains, keep the faith, be zealous and repent

Rewards: the tree of life, the crown of life, hidden manna and a stone with a new name, rule over nations and receive the morning start, faithful honored and clothed in white, a place in God’s presence, a new name and the New Jerusalem, share Christ’s throne

We want to be more like Smyrna and Philadelphia.

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