Summary
on Messages to the Seven Churches
"The
church in Ephesus" left her "First Love."
Though she labored in The Lord's Name, yet she was
loveless (without true love).
"The True Church" loves The Lord with all
her heart.
“And thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the
First Commandment” (Mark 12:30 KJV).
He loved her first, and gave His life for her.
Also, He will be taking her to the Heavenly royal
banquet—‘His banner over her is Love!’
"The
church in Smyrna" was much persecuted. She was tried
with tribulations and martyrdom.
"The True Bride of Christ” must be prepared to
face 'tribulations and martyrdom'— she must 'be faithful unto death,' and
receive "the crown of life."
"The True Church" will overcome by The Blood
of The Lamb
“And they overcame him by the blood of The Lamb, and by The Word
of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Rev. 12:11
KJV)
“The
church in Pergamos” was a compromising church.
She compromised with "the doctrine of
Balaam"—which teaches idolatry and fornication.
She also had those that held "the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans" which GOD hates.
And so, The Lord warned this church:
“Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make
war against them with the sword of My mouth” (Rev. 2:16 ASV).
The Lord is ready to do battle with the false
teachers, and false prophets of 'last days’ sorcery, magic, and perversion.
“The Church” in these 'last days' must beware of false
teachers who "have forsaken the
right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam."
“The Church” must take note of backsliders who "have run greedily in the error of
Balaam for profit."
'Balaam's error' was greed and covetousness; he was
well paid to bring a curse upon the people of Israel.
The Lord is ready to fight against those who put ‘a
stumbling block’ of idolatry and sexual immorality before His people—He will
fight against them with “the sword of His
mouth.”
Nicolas "a proselyte from Antioch" (Acts
6:3, 5) converted to Judaism before becoming a Christian.
He became a deacon, but, the church fathers accused
Nicolas of denying the true Christian faith and founding the heretical sect
known as ‘the Nicolaitans.’
In these ‘last days,’ “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans”
is a doctrine that is against Christians. Those who hold to this doctrine are
controlled by murderous and rebellious spirit.
But, The Lord says, "I will make war against them with the
sword of My mouth.”
“The
church in Thyatira” was corrupt with false prophecy, and
false teachings.
She was seduced by "the spirit of Jezebel"
into the sins of fornication, and idolatry—introduced to her as a doctrine.
And so, The Lord gave this warning against those who
practice such:
“Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery
with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall
know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto
every one of you according to your works” (Rev. 2:22-23 KJV).
This church was taught what they called: 'deeper
truths'—but, which in actual sense was "the depths of Satan"—"the
mystery of iniquity" (which is the secret power of lawlessness) this is
very common in churches and political governments in ‘these last days.’
But, here is The Lord's “message” for the true
believers today, as He told those in Thyatira who did not follow this false
teaching:
“But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have
not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak;
I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:24-25 KJV).
“The True Church” must hold fast that which she
already has—GOD’s Word which is Truth.
And she must hold fast “the Testimony of Jesus”—“The
Spirit of Prophecy.”
"Jezebel" in the Old Testament was a
persecutor of the prophets of The Lord, and a great patroness of idolaters and
false prophets.
"Jezebel" calls herself ‘a prophetess,’ her
worshippers refer to her doctrine as: “the depths of Satan”—which they claim
are profound mysteries, and insight.
Those misled by false prophets, false teachers, and idolaters,
in these 'last days'—who are deluded by “the secret power of lawlessness,”
shall not escape the danger of "The Great Tribulation" which is
coming to try everyone on the earth.
But, as “the dragon” comes to persecute “the Church”
in ‘those days,’ the saints shall overcame him by the Blood of The Lamb,” and
by the Word of their testimony; ‘for they love not their lives unto the
death.’
Christ’s overcomers shall inherit ‘dominion over the
earth!’
“The
church in Sardis” was spiritually dead.
The spiritual life of this church was 'a shadowy
existence.'
The ‘message’ of The Lord Jesus to them was: “Be watchful, and strengthen
the things that remain, and that are ready to die.”
Spiritual death is separation from GOD.
The human-spirit of a carnal man without Christ is
absence of God's Eternal Spirit.
Man is ‘a living being,’ but much higher and greater
than this, GOD is "A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT."
And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being."
The last Adam became a Life-Giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45 NKJV).
The life and existence of "the True Church"
is Eternal Life—which is the gift of God to her, in Christ Jesus.
“The Life-Giving Spirit” quickens this Church.
The Scriptures explain to us that those outside of
Christ are though physically alive, but they are spiritually dead — they remain
"dead in trespasses and sins."
"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and
sins..." (Eph. 2:1 KJV).
The consequences of "spiritual death" is
'everlasting-death'—which the Bible calls "the second death" (Rev.
2:11; 21:8).
"The True Church" must remain watchful, and
strong in faith. Her "works" must be made perfect before GOD. She can
only continue to depend on “The Spirit of Grace” for this. Our ministry will be
of no efficacy without The Holy Spirit.
She must always remember what she had heard and
received—the tokens of His Mercy and Favor towards her; the Gospel and the
Grace of God which she first received.
Christ Jesus suffered for our sins; “the Just for the unjust,” that He might
bring us to GOD. He was put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by The Spirit.
By His Resurrection, we are raised!
He has given His Holy Spirit to His Church.
Her inheritance is “GOD’s Righteousness,” and “GOD’s
Glory” in “The New Jerusalem” and “The Garden of Eden” that is above.
"The
church in Philadelphia" was faithful in works,
and kept “The Word of GOD,” and “The Testimony of Jesus.”
And so, Christ commended her for this:
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and
no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and
hast not denied My Name” (Rev. 3:8 KJV)
They did not deny Christ—‘they did not deny His
Name’—they held on to “The Testimony of Jesus.”
And, they kept “The Word of GOD.”
“The True Church” must continue to “keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith
of Jesus.” This is “the patience of
the saints.”
As we continue to bear “the Testimony of Jesus,” and
proclaim God’s Word in the face of tribulations, we receive grace to endure
persecution patiently and remain firm to the end.
In the face of increasing-dangers in these ‘last
days,’ we must continually obey GOD’s Commands, and continue to trust in
JESUS—Who has set before us “an open door.”
This "open door" is our access to GOD.
It is ‘the door of Grace’ which gives the Church the
opportunity to reach the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“The synagogue of Satan”—which operates with “the
spirit of the antichrist,” ‘the spirit of false prophecy,’ and “the spirit of
Jezebel” will come and worship before the feet of “the True Church.”
“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they
are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee” (Rev. 3:9 KJV)
‘False apostles,’ ‘false prophets,’ and ‘false
teachers’ in the ‘last days’ will come and bow down, and worship “The One True
GOD!”
“The True Church of Jesus Christ” worship GOD in
spirit and in truth, and she is called to win souls for the Kingdom of GOD.
The Lord says, “Because
she has kept the Word of My Patience, I also will keep her from the hour of
temptation…”
Because “the True Church” has kept Christ’s Command to
persevere, she will overcome. The persevering saints shall win the
prize of “the crown of life.”
Christ is “The Head of the Church.”
The Church is His body.
Politically, He has “the key of David” — authority of
government over Israel and the nations.
“The True Church” shall become ‘the Church Triumphant,”
and shall rule and reign with Christ Jesus as kings and priests.
“Grace” has kept His True Church — “Grace” has kept
her faithful.
“The
church in Laodicea” was ‘a lukewarm church.’
Her lukewarmness made her inconsistent in spiritual
things, and drained her spiritual life. She became unbearable, and of no use
for God’s Divine Purposes.
Her lukewarmness neutralized her faith, and ministry.
The Lord Who is “The Faithful and True Witness” demands
enthusiasm and total commitment from those who worship Him. “The Joy of The
Lord” is Strength!
Christ expects that men should declare themselves in
earnest either for Him or against Him. ‘A broken and contrite heart’ He will
not despise. He wants “all or nothing!”
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot” (Rev. 3:14 KJV).
“The Church” is given a Divine Heavenly mandate to win
lost souls for The Kingdom of God—and so, we cannot afford to be lukewarm in
our God-given ministry.
The church in Laodicea thought ‘high’ of themselves. They
only cared of their material riches, and overlooked the spiritual needs of
their souls.
But, The Lord exposed their spiritual
wretchedness—they were actually spiritually miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked…” (Rev. 3:17 KJV).
In rebuking them, He also counselled them:
“I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the
shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that
thou mayest see” (Rev. 3:18 KJV).
The LORD’s Counsel to us is His invitation to us. He
invites us to come in and enjoy sweet fellowship and communion with Him.
His Counsel to us is invitation to “His Rest.”
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest" (Matt.11:28 KJV).
His Counsel to us is invitation to “the riches and
eternal treasures of Heaven.” Treasures of pure gold, precious gems, and pearls.
Hidden treasures of eternal value.
It’s time for GOD’s people to be zealous, and repent
of their lukewarmness!
The LORD is purifying His Church with "Holy
Fire"—like ‘gold in the making.’
“The Faithful and True Witness”— The
Living GOD has given us His True Testimony, and He has given us His Infallible
Word, to teach, educate, and impact the nations.
We must reach every community, village, town, city,
state, district, region, and country with the Gospel before the end will come.
But, we must also trust and depend on The LORD JESUS
Who gave us this commission (Matt. 28:18-20).
You must listen for His Voice daily!
You must listen for His knocking at ‘the door of your
heart.’ So that you can let Him in and enjoy sweet fellowship and communion
with Him.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My Voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me”
(Rev. 3:20
KJV).
Conclusion
of this Summary:
“The True Church” is called to be a kind of ‘firstfruits
of God's Creation.’
Angels of high ranks in Heaven do engage in warfare
against "powers of the heavens" on behalf of “the Church.” Before the
glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior in the sky, the armies of angelic
hosts will once more cast them off their high-positions—out of the heavens.
Our Lord Jesus testifies of His soon-Coming to the
churches:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give
every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and The End, The First and The
Last” (Rev.
22:12-13 KJV).
Next verse says:
Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (Rev. 22:14 KJV).
The Triumphant Christ says, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto
you these things in the churches. I am The Root and The Offspring of David, and
The Bright and Morning Star” (verse 16 KJV).
And The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take
the water of life freely (Rev 22:17 KJV).