Musing – Are the Seven Churches in Revelation like Today’s Churches?

 

Hebraic Musing – Are the Seven Churches in Revelation like Today’s Churches?

In my 47 years experiencing many different denominations around the world I have recognized characteristics very similar to those in the seven Churches in the book of Revelation.  Have you observed these characteristics recently?  How do Christians and Churches today compare to each of those Revelation 2 & 3 Churches?

Church of Ephesus – To the Loveless Church  --   I know your – “works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.”    Things against - “that you have left your first love.”       Hope - “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, ... ... you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans” (who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence), “which I also hate.” 

Church in Smyrna - To the Persecuted Church  --  I know your – “works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); ... I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”  Things against -   (Nothing!)      Hope - “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  

Church in Pergamos - To the Compromising Church  --  I know you – “hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”      Things against - “because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, ... to commit sexual immorality.  Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence), “which thing I hate.”      Hope - “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.”

Church in Thyatira - To the Corrupt Church   --  I know your – “your works, love, service, faith,  and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”       Things against -  “because you allow that woman Jezebel” (one of the most evil characters of the Old Testament), “who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols....”     Hope – “to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.  But hold fast what you have till I come.”

Church in Sardis – To the Dead Church  --  I know your – “works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”   Things against - “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.  Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”    Hope - “You have a few ... who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;”   

Church in Philadelphia – To the Faithful Church  --  I know your – “works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.”    Things against -   (Nothing!)       Hope - “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

Church of the Laodiceans – To the Lukewarm Church  --  I know your – “works, that you are neither cold nor hot.”      Things against -  “I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,  I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked...”    Hope - “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Points to Ponder

Which of these churches in Revelation describes your church?   Which ones describe you?

What do you feel challenged to do?

What do YOU want to be known as?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                             April 11, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

Note – All words in italicized red are the Words of Jesus, from the NKJV