Revelation 2:1-17

Revelation 2:1-17

Typically, we attempt to look at the seven churches of Revelation and endeavor to find some insight regarding the end times. A better application and understanding of these messages to the churches is, “What does it mean to be a disciple? What can we learn about how to live for Christ from each of these churches?” 

Ephesus was a great church. She was hardworking with many good deeds. She was determined and faithful in both her works and her commitment to moral purity and doctrine. But into this great church had slipped a problem. They were doing the right stuff as they had always done, but the motivation had changed. Perhaps inertia or tradition or reputation had slipped in and become their motivation. For whatever reason, they had left their first love. It was so subtle that they likely never noticed the change. Where once they did great works for the love of Jesus, now they left love out. They made a choice to leave; they left their first love, but their first love did not leave them. They were not victims but perpetrators; it didn't happen to them; rather, they did it to themselves. As disciples, if the love of Christ is not the motivation for our works, no matter how grand, they will ultimately and finally come to nothing. 

In our “mega” world, where bigger is assumed to be better and more is the goal, the disciple must be content with being a misfit. Our objective is never to be the greatest and biggest. The most positive message from our Lord to these churches is to the  church at Smyrna, a church that would not garner a lot of attention in our world. This church was in the midst of trouble, and it was poor. And it was about to suffer more with prison and testing that were just ahead. But this is, from our Lord's perspective, the best of the churches. As a disciple, we must remember that those things so highly valued by our culture in a church may be contemptible to our Lord, and those things our world wants to avoid may indicate loyalty to the One outside of the world.

Being in the world is the reality for the church and disciple. But being of the world is the ruin of any church or disciple. Apparently, at one time Pergamum was a great church. During a time of persecution, she has remained faithful. But now, and perhaps because of persecution, the church had let down her guard. The reference to Balaam and Balak is related to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. The Nicolaitans were a group that taught the relaxation of the high moral standards that marked the Christian community. Perhaps out of misguided compassion, the desire for growth, wanting the acceptance of the community at large, or even the lure of recreational sin, the church had allowed immoral people to be a part of the church without repentance. Jesus promises a war if they do not repent. Don't miss this; unrepentant immorality will cause Jesus to make war against us. As a disciple, we must remember no matter how compassionate, effective, or appealing something may sound, the compromise of morals is a short path to ruin.

In this passage we see one very good church, one bad church, and one church somewhere in the middle. As disciples and as members of the church, we are always in the process of decision; we are always at a sort of crossroads for the future. The next step we take will move us toward the point of taking the next step, either for good or bad.

“Lord, help me take the next step toward You and Your will. AMEN”