In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
The final community addressed was the church in Laodicea. The common picture of a lukewarm church where Jesus stands knocking at the door is found in this letter. Yet, as we look deeper we may find this message cuts at our hearts even more than we assumed of it.
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
The community of Jesus followers in Philadelphia was small and had little power. They had been displaced from their home by earthquakes and even when they were able to go back and rebuild, they were caught between two opposing powers; the Greco-Roman worship of gods and Caesar, and the Jewish synagogue who wouldn’t let Jesus followers in. This small church is one of two out of the seven that Jesus had nothing to say against, but only words of encouragement, hope, and a promise for those who endure.
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
Sardis was a well guarded city positioned against rocky mountain terrain. Because of this, there is only a history of them being attacked two times — both times were because their watchmen fell asleep at their post, taking their security for granted. Jesus writes to the church in Sardis to say they are doing the same. They are not staying alert to the threats of the world around them — threats against their faith. They are spiritually asleep, or dead even, to the realities of the warfare happening in their midst. Jesus calls them to wake up! To stay alert and remember the good news they had received. To hold onto that and turn away from the things that have lulled them to sleep.
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
Jesus’ first words to Thyatira sound almost as if they are an ideal church, living with faithfulness, love, service, and endurance. Yet, they are caught up in the same traps Pergamum was — giving their bodies over to sin for temporary pleasure. A completely different group of people in a different context, enticed and lured away by the same desires. Isn’t this true of many of us today? How can we overcome wicked desires and find those desires satisfied in Christ alone?
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
His message to Pergamum begins with encouragement for continuing to proclaim the name of Jesus as Lord faithfully in a city hostile to their faith. Yet, they have mixed in idolatrous practices of those around them. Jesus has serious words of warning for that!
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. But the Spirit has preserved these words to speak to us still today!
Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna was one of hope. They were a small, destitute church living in poverty and under oppression — for the sake of the Gospel! Jesus reassured them that he knew them well and he knew their suffering well. In fact, Jesus had endured everything they were going through already; and he overcame. His promise to them is that if they continued to remain faithful, they too would overcome death and receive the eternal crown of life.
In the book of Revelation, we find we are reading someone else’s mail. Jesus sent a message through John to specific churches in Asia Minor. Ephesus was the first stop. They were standing strong in the truth in the midst of an idolatrous culture. But they had neglected to walk in actionable love for one another. Jesus wanted to call them back, in his love, by his grace.
Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
We have a hope that the love of God will one day bring the wholeness of peace and restoration to this world — and when that comes we will experience the fullness of joy. Yet, we can experience that joy even here and now.
Joy is not fleeting happiness or feeling good, but a constant source of satisfaction found not in our temporary circumstances, but in our eternal outcome.
