Revelation 2
November Memory Verse: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me." Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
Revelation 2
In our passage, only the church of Smyrna was commended and not rebuked by Jesus. They were about to face serious persecution, and Jesus was comforting them in the midst of it. He says to them, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (ESV, v. 10a).
But the other three churches (Ephesus, Pergamum, and Thyatira) receive rebuke and compliments.
Ephesus – Rebuked because they abandoned their first love. Commended because they casted out false teachers.
Pergamum – Rebuked because of eating food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and listening to false teachings. Commended because they did not deny Jesus.
Thyatira – Rebuked because of eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Commended because not all followed false teaching.
What stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect. They all had their flaws, but Jesus was not giving up on them. He called each of them to repent. And Jesus ends each section by saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (v. 7, 11, 17, 29). If they listen to Jesus and repent of their sin, then Jesus will forgive the wrongdoing. If they decided to continue doing wrong, disaster was going to come.
This passage just reminds me that I am similar to the churches. There are times when I forget my first love, when I turn my back, and when I begin listening to lies from Satan. But I am thankful for Jesus because He does not give up on me even during my worst times. Instead, He is there to pick me up, cleanse me off, and send me back out to do His mission.
What was encouraging for you from Revelation 2?
By: Brice Stockton
Revelation 2
In our passage, only the church of Smyrna was commended and not rebuked by Jesus. They were about to face serious persecution, and Jesus was comforting them in the midst of it. He says to them, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (ESV, v. 10a).
But the other three churches (Ephesus, Pergamum, and Thyatira) receive rebuke and compliments.
Ephesus – Rebuked because they abandoned their first love. Commended because they casted out false teachers.
Pergamum – Rebuked because of eating food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, and listening to false teachings. Commended because they did not deny Jesus.
Thyatira – Rebuked because of eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Commended because not all followed false teaching.
What stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect. They all had their flaws, but Jesus was not giving up on them. He called each of them to repent. And Jesus ends each section by saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (v. 7, 11, 17, 29). If they listen to Jesus and repent of their sin, then Jesus will forgive the wrongdoing. If they decided to continue doing wrong, disaster was going to come.
This passage just reminds me that I am similar to the churches. There are times when I forget my first love, when I turn my back, and when I begin listening to lies from Satan. But I am thankful for Jesus because He does not give up on me even during my worst times. Instead, He is there to pick me up, cleanse me off, and send me back out to do His mission.
What was encouraging for you from Revelation 2?
By: Brice Stockton
1 Comment
I'm like you today, Brice. Everytime I read through these churches, I find myself doing a little self reflection, wondering how I'm doing, etc.
One thing that always bothers me though: immorality in a church. That's Pergamum and Thyatira. When you read about Jezabel and Balaam -- their influence was super no good horrible, right? So I struggle to imagine a church so strong in Christ and yet so apparently accepting of sexual immorality. SO hard to imagine!
I'm thankful for our church and leaders! Be strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.