1. The seven churches - Revelation 1:1-20; 2:1-29; 3:1-22
I had to chuckle....started typing away and realized that this particular day only had one item, though several chapters. Looks slightly sparse up there. :-D Someone had mentioned a correlation between the seven churches and the seven gifts (Romans 12). I have not had adequate time to really delve into a study on that, but thought it interesting. Some have postured that the seven churches represent the Bride throughout history and that we are currently in a Laodicean age.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)
Seven = Completeness - Spiritual - Perfection
The word translated as seven is used 54x in 31 verses in the Book of the Revelation.
Some of the sevens: churches ~ Spirits ~ golden candlesticks ~ stars ~ lamps ~ seals ~ horns ~ eyes ~ angels ~ trumpets ~ thunders ~ thousand (men slain) ~ heads ~ crowns ~ plagues ~ golden vials ~ mountains ~ kings.
Wow! What a list! Obviously many of the words were used more than once. I wonder if golden candlesticks and lamps are the same Greek word?
candlestick - G3087 - luchnia - lookh-nee'-ah - From G3088; a lamp stand (literally or figuratively).
lamp - G2985 - lampas - lam-pas' - From G2989; a “lamp” or flambeau.
Flambeau? What is a flambeau? Ask and thou shalt receive.
1.
a flaming torch.
2.
a torch for use at night in illuminations, processions, etc.
3.
a large, decorated candlestick.
4.
an ornament having the form of a flaming torch.
Back to my original thought in the verse listing out the seven churches - each church had commendation and reproof. I am very briefly summarizing:
- Ephesus - works, labour, patience, abhor evil, tested the spirits, fainted not, hates the deeds of the Nicolaitanes vs left thy first love
- Smyrna - works, tribulations, poverty, blasphemy from w/out, tribulation
- Pergamos - works, holds fast the NAME, no faith deniers vs hold to Balaam doctrine, hold to Nicolaitanes doctrine
- Thyatira - works, charity, service, faith, patience, works vs women teaching (Jezebel spirit), seducing, fornication, eat items sacrificed to idols
- Sardis - works, name, few not defiled, vs works not perfect, repent, watch
- Philadelphia - works, open door, little strength, kept His word, not denied His name, kept the word of His patience
- Laodicea - No commendation vs works are not hot or cold (lukewarm - spue), deceived with riches, increased with goods, unable to recognize they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked. The Lord rebukes those He loves and calls this church to repent.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11)
He that had an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I 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 saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:26-29)
He that overcometh, the same 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:5-6)
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I 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 out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:12-13)
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:21-22)
Attributes of those that overcome: eat of the tree of life ~ no second death hurt ~ eat hidden manna ~ a new name written in a white stone ~ power over the nations ~ rule with iron ~ morning star ~ clothed in white raiment ~ not blotted out of the book of life ~ name confessed before Father and HIS angels ~ a pillar in the temple of God ~ name of God, name of city, new name written upon ~ sit with HIM in HIS throne.
I paused over the phrase, "I will confess his name before my Father." That is an astounding thought. I had never pondered the possibility of my name (or the new name given to me) as being confessed before the Sovereign God, by HIS son. What a humbling thought. Will HE find me faithful and overcoming? I noticed that two of the churches had no rebuke. One had no commendation. When He returns what will He find upon this earth?
