Pastor Bruce has for the past two weeks started reviewing and sharing the seven letters written to the churches found in Revelation chapter 2 and 3. As I read those letters, as I listen to Pastor Bruce share his thoughts on those letters, I can’t help wondering. how would we at Emmaus respond to a similar letter addressed to us by none other than Jesus Christ? What would that letter consist of, what kind of praise, exhortations, warnings and even criticisms would He have for our little church?
The first question that comes to my mind – these letters were dictated by Christ and written by the apostle John 2000 years ago, is the content, the praises, are the warnings appropriate for us today? Or, are they only appropriate for the churches of the time back 2000 years ago. Do we read and study those words to help us better understand where we are today?
As we read the book of Revelation, we find that it is divided into different sections, two of those sections are defined by Jesus in Revelation 1:19. There in verse 19 we read the words of Jesus – “Write therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later”. Here Jesus instructions to John define two different periods of time. First “the things that are happening now”, which describes the letters to the churches. “The things that will happen later “, describe the visions that John will see after he is summoned up to heaven. The vision of future events.
It is of course, the “things that are happening now” that I specifically want to address today. As we read those words spoken by Jesus “the things that are happening now”, how do we define the word “now”? Can that “now” be defined only as the time in which Jesus spoke those words 2000 years ago. Or, can “now” also be interpreted to mean today, the year 2016, and things that are happening in our churches today?
In my opinion, there is a great value in reading and studying the words and lessons for theses 7 churches from 2000 years ago- I believe that God preserved these Words specifically for the church of today (2016). I believe that the things that are happening within the church today match exactly the things that were happening 2000 years ago.
As we begin to study the letters to the churches in Revelation chapter’s 2 and 3 there are a couple of questions that I would like you to ask yourself and think about.
At the beginning of each letter the apostle John makes a special point of identifying Jesus as the author of the letters to each of the seven churches. Do you believe that these are the actual words of Christ?
Do you believe that Jesus stands before and through a messenger (Pastor) , directs, guides, exhorts His church even today?
In Revelation chapter 2 verse 2, in His letter to the Church at Ephesus we read the words of Jesus.’ “I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance.” Do you believe that even today Jesus knows the intimate details of things going on in our church, do you believe that He knows the intimate details of all our personal thoughts, words, and actions. Do you believe that you will one day stand before Jesus and give account for all those words and actions? If we believe that, how does that knowledge impact the actions and character of our church? If we believe that, how does that knowledge impact our personal actions and character?
As the apostle John is writing the words of Jesus to the seven churches, Jesus is clearly depicted and portrayed as the Authority, the Holy God, the Alpha and Omega. How do we live our lives to reflect our knowledge of, our reverence for His Authority and Holiness?
Again just some things to think about and meditate on as we begin to follow the lessons that Pastor Bruce brings to us from Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
It is my prayer that we are aware of and acknowledge that Jesus is indeed the Leader and Authority of.. our Church. There is no other Word or Authority that can supersede Him.
Thanks Pastor Bruce.
Very good questions, worthy of reflection