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UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN. |
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COMMON ELEMENTS IN THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA
The seven churches of Asia to which Jesus sent letters through the apostle John were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The content of these letters is recorded in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation. Each letter contained its unique aspects, yet in each of these seven letters there were also some common elements – portions of each letter were the same as the message that the saints in other cities of Asia received. One common element in each letter was the Sender – Jesus Himself was the source of each letter. It is a rich study in and of itself, just to note how Jesus describes Himself in the introductory part of each letter. Another common aspect in each letter is the fact that they were all addressed "to the angel" of the local church. Since the Bible does not reveal who these messengers (the literal meaning of "angel") were, we will not speculate. In each of these seven special letters we also read that Jesus told the congregations, "I know thy works" (2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15). This statement is at the same time revealing, sobering, and encouraging. First, it reveals that Jesus must be God, for He knows all things. Second, for Jesus to say "I know thy works" also serves as a solemn reminder that He is completely aware of all that we are doing. This is at the same time encouraging, because it lets us know that He understands what we are going through and is prepared to make intercession for us before the Father as we live for Him (Hebrews 7:25). Fourth, somewhere near the end of each letter there is also Jesus’ charge, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). These words to the early disciples were not written just to take up time and space. God’s Spirit wanted them to know His will, so they needed to take heed to what He said. The Holy Spirit speaks to man only through the Bible, as the Bible is God’s final revelation to man, His complete truth (John 17:17; 16:13). This being the case, we, too, ought to give heed to the Spirit’s message. God does not want His children to live "as they well please," but according to His revealed truth. A fifth common element in each of the seven letters to the churches of Asia is a promised reward from the Christ that would be given to those that overcome and are faithful. "To him that overcometh" is promised a wonderful blessing from Jesus (2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Though different terms are used by Jesus to express the reward that awaits the faithful, the meaning is the same in each case – those that overcome and hold fast the faith will receive a crown of life (2:10). What a great promise! We don’t have to be a famous Christian to reach that heavenly city. We just need to be humble, faithful servants of the Master. In five of the seven letters there is a message of rebuke to those that were living improperly, or else holding to and/or supporting false teachings. Jesus rebuked them because He loved them (3:19). The only two congregations of which Jesus did not speak of any specific sin being in their camps were Smyrna and Philadelphia. On the other hand, for six of the seven churches Jesus had at least some words of commendation. The one congregation that had the dubious "honor" of being the only one about which Jesus said nothing favorable, was the one in Laodicea. The spiritual lessons in these seven letters are legion. May God bless each of us as we dig in to learn them, then strive to apply them in our own lives and teach them to others. -- Roger D. Campbell |
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