Jesus goes to Church

Read Revelation 2.

As the book is provided to us to reveal Jesus Christ (1:1), chapters two and three reveal the very presence of Jesus in local congregations.  The best interpreter of the Bible is the Scripture itself.  Revelation 1:20 clears up the imagery concerning these seven actual churches that were extant in modern day Turkey.

The format of these seven messages follows a simple pattern.  Dr. Henry Morris in his classic book on Revelation outlines them in the following manner.
1. The Salutation.  The specific address from Jesus to them.
2. The Identification.  The specific description of Jesus from chapter one.
3. The Assertion.  The specific knowledge of Jesus about that local church.
4. The Exhortation.  The specific words of comment to that church.
5. The Expectation.  The specific words of warning of promise to that church.
6. The Admonition.  The specific action Jesus wanted them to take.
7. The Culmination.  The specific reward for faithfulness from Jesus.

To Ephesus (2:1-7)
While they were commended for a list of good things-good works, hard work, enduring, and doctrinal purity-something was missing.  They no longer practiced a personal, love relationship with Jesus.  In simple terms, they were told to remember, repent, and return to their "first love".

To Smyrna ((2:8-11)
These folks stood strong against the persecution of their faith.  But even more severe suffering was to come.  Jesus urged them not to fear and to brace themselves.  All suffering, even martyrdom, is temporary.  Real life and the Crown of Life await.

To Pergamum (2:12-17)
The culture in which they lived was Satanic.  Evil influenced everything and everyone around them.  False teaching and immorality had even crept into the congregation.  The single word from Jesus was to repent.

To Thyatira (2:18-29)
Their faith, their service, their patient endurance were all acknowledged.  But, at the same time, the church people tolerated a sinful influencer among them who reminded Jesus of Jezebel.  This was an ungodly woman, who had been allowed to teach, spouting false doctrine and leading people into sexual immorality.  Note that Jesus gave her plenty of time to repent and she refused.  Judgment is coming on her and her followers.

In reading about these historic churches, we must use these messages to examine our own lives and congregations.  Is our affection for Jesus better than ever?  Is our perspective on this life overcome by our perspective of eternity?  Are we seeking to influence our culture or is our culture influencing us?  Does our local congregation tolerate teaching contrary to the Bible and immoral behavior among its members?