He That Has an Ear, Let Him Hear What the Spirit Says unto the Churches!

 “…Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near”
(Revelation 1:1-3 NIV)

This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ!

Jesus declares His Identity: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8 KJV).

“…saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,…” (Revelation 1:17-19 KJV).

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Sprit says unto the churches!

The Lord makes known, gives counsel, and gives direction to His church the Body as it pertains to the end of days. 

Jesus Revealed
· “…from him who is, and who was, and who is to come…” (Revelation 1:4,5 NIV).

·“I am the Alpha and the Omega…” (Revelation 1:8 NIV).

·“…One like the Son of Man…” (Revelation 1:12-20 NKJV).

·        Jesus instructs John to write to the seven churches which are in Asia Minor, which would be today the western part of Turkey.

·        Jesus is seen as the qualified Lord to speak to His church. “…One like the Son of Man…” (Revelation 1:12-20 NKJV).

Verse 1:13 speaks that Jesus is in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks or seven churches. He is clothed as the High Priest and Just Judge. Verse 14: He is seen as the wise all-knowing Lord who sees all and knows all. Verse 15: His feet affirm He has walked through the fire and speaks with sure authority. Verse 16: He holds the leaders in His hand and speaks with full authority.

Verses 17,18: I am…

Interpretate: Seven Stars = Seven angels or leaders; Seven golden candlesticks = seven churches; The light of the candlestick represents His presence in that church.

The Seven Churches Exposed

·The pattern of engagement:

Jesus reveals Himself

He recognizes their true condition

He gives an accommodation (Praise)

He rebukes them

He counsels them

He gives a promise to the overcomer

I believe these seven historical churches can represent for us today seven dispensations of the church age, seven kinds or conditions of a church, or seven conditions of a believer’s life in Christ.

We can and should in part look at this church age or conditions with honest examination and introspection. We must have an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to each of us.

What is the Lord saying, speaking, or counseling His church for or with? The church, nations, and human journey is in desperate need of hearing from the Lord.

He is speaking, are we listening!

He says to Israel and Judah before they go into exile to Babylon: “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you…And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart…” (Jeremiah 29:11-14 KJV

The Seven Churches
Ephesus “The Loveless Church” Rev. 2:1-7

• Reveals Himself: Holds the seven stars, angels, or leaders

• True conditions: Knows their deeds, hard work, perseverance

• Accommodation: Endured hardship for His name, not grown weary

• Rebuke: Forsaken their first love

• Counsel: Remember where you have fallen, repent, do the first work

• Promise: Right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God

• Remarks:

  He walks in our midst. He lived in the Earth and He knows what it’s like.

  David Wilkerson stated that First Love implies not first of many but “exclusive” love. He must be the only true love of our life. He chooses not to share us with any other. They had willingly chosen to leave their first love.

Smyrna “The Persecuted Church” Rev. 2:8-11

• Reveals Himself: First and last, was dead and is alive

• True conditions: Tribulation and poverty

• Accommodation: You are rich

• Rebuke: None

• Counsel: Refuse to fear

• Promise: Will not be hurt by the second death

• Remarks:

• Refuse to fear. We are seeing some troublesome matters unfolding before us but refuse to fear. Persecution comes with identifying with Christ Jesus. It’s reported that the church in China and Iran are facing unimaginable persecution. “Prepare your heart.”

  Pergamum “The Compromising Church” Rev. 2:12-17

• Reveals Himself: He with the double-edge sword

• True conditions: Where you live, where Satan’s throne is

• Accommodation: Remain true to My name, not denied the faith

• Rebuke: False teaching, religious service for financial gain, fornication

• Counsel: Repent

• Promise: Hidden manna, white stone with a new name

• Remarks:

  There is a deep connection between Satan’s throne, false religion for gain, idolatry, and sexual perversion…all in the church. Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes = Followers of Nicolas – free love and clerical hierarchy.

  Hidden manna = perhaps the sufficiency of Christ, the true manna.

  White Stone = full acquittal of all guilt.

  Thyatira “The Corrupt Church” Rev. 2:18-29

• Reveals Himself: Son of God, eyes of flames of fire, feet as fine brass

• True conditions: Your love, faith and service

• Accommodation: You are now doing more than you did at first

• Rebuke: Tolerate false teaching by the spirit of Jezebel, fornication, idolatry

• Counsel: Hold fast until I come

• Promise: I will give authority over the nations, will rule, morning star

• Remarks:

  This church has been corrupted by a manipulating, controlling, witchcraft spirit. Unauthorized leader who controls others with false teaching. Commits fornication and is an idol worshipper.

  Sardis “The Dead Church” Rev. 3:1-6

• Reveals Himself: Fullness of the Spirit, has the seven stars or leaders

• True conditions: Spiritually dead

• Accommodation: None

• Rebuke: I have not found your works perfect before God

• Counsel: Be watchful, strengthen what remains, remember, hold fast, repent

• Promise: Clothed in white, name not blotted out of the book of life

• Remarks:

  This church is dead spiritually. Works not perfect before God. May look the part but lacks God’s Spirit. This church or person is religious but lacks the Spirit.

  Notice in verse 3:4, there were a few that were not defiled. A few that were faithful.

  In verse 3:5, the name is not blotted out of the book of life. “…whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15 KJV). The name can be removed!!!!

  Philadelphia “The Faithful Church” Rev. 3:7-13

• Reveals Himself: Holy, true, key of David, opens and shuts

• True conditions: Open door, little strength

• Accommodation: Kelp the Word, not denied His name

• Rebuke: None

• Counsel: Hold fast to what you have so no one can take your crown

• Promise: Pillar in the temple of God, go in and out, new name written

• Remarks:

  The key of David = the symbol of authority.

  This church or believer has so much going for it.

  Brotherly love: Love your neighbor as yourself.  “…loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (First John 4:7,8 KJV). “…hateth his brother, he is a liar…” (First John 4:20 KJV).

Laodicea “The Lukewarm Church” Rev. 3:14-22

• Reveals Himself: Amen, faithful and true witness, beginning of creation

• True conditions: Neither cold nor hot, regurgitated, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked

• Accommodation: None 

• Rebuke: Lukewarm

• Counsel: Buy from the Lord, come to Him, be zealous and repent

• Promise: Will sit with Him on His throne

• Remarks:

  No praise. No accommodations.

  Why one or the other, but not lukewarm? Vomit you out.

  This church was filled with self-pride. Boastful of who they thought themselves to be. Yet was truly the opposite. Perhaps a lack of zeal for good or evil. Perhaps uselessness for Christ. Useless to Him because they were complacent, self-satisfied and indifferent.

  Seek to remain comfortable. Unwilling to stand for truth, because it may offend some.

Wisdom for the Body of Christ

• Ephesus: “Loveless Church” Return to your exclusive love for the Lord! Remember, from where you have fallen and repent. Do your first works.

• ·Smyrna: “Persecuted Church” Refuse to fear! Be faithful to the end no matter what you experience.

• Pergamum: “Compromising Church” Repent from your compromise!

• Thyatira: “Corrupt Church” Reclaim what you have and hold fast until He comes!

• Sardis: “Dead Church” Remember, strengthen what remains, be watchful, and h  old fast, and repent.

• Philadelphia: “Faithful Church” Regrip! Hold onto what you have. Hold fast. Regrip onto what you treasure.

• Laodicea: “Lukewarm Church” Recommit, repent, respond, and open the door. Do you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to you?

Conclusion

What is Jesus seeing in the church of 2024? The church in America, North Carolina, Metrolina area? What does He see in each of us? What is He saying to you today? What are you hearing from the Holy Spirit?

“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 that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV).