MESSAGE FOR THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA 2...THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Church in Smyrna or the (persecuted Church). There are some Christian faithful whom are now suffering all manner of persecution for the sake of the gospel of Christ; such was the case with some of the members of the Church in Smyrna at the time..but the Lord said;' do not fear any of these things which you are about to suffer. Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and i will give you the crown of Life. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. He who overcomes, shall not be hurt by the second death' (Rev. 2: 10-11).

Many more Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs; some may be killed. However, let us be reminded of the words of our Lord Jesus; ' and do not fear those who kill the body and cannot kill the soul but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell'. (Mathew 10:28)

Dear brothers to those who suffer for the sake of Christ, be confident of the crown of Life promised by our Lord to those who overcome. To the Church in Pergamos or (the compromising Church) sometimes as Christians, we compromise Kingdom standards in order to have our way. we may tell lies, give bribes, indulge in sexual immorality etc for a personal benefit. To Christians whom are called to ministry, sometimes we may preach about only the part of scripture that we know people want to hear and leave out the more radical parts that may 'offend' or 'discourage' people. when we do these things, like the Church in Pergamos, we are compromising.

Pastors, preachers and indeed all who are called to ministry should especially remember the words of our Lord in (Revelation 22: 18-19) 'For I testify to everyone who hears the words of this Book, if anyone adds to these things God will add to him the plagues that are written in this Book, AND IF ANYONE TAKES AWAY THE WORDS OF THIS BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE, FROM THE HOLY CITY AND FROM THE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK'. The gospel should be preached as it is...in full and not in partiality. God is Love but also a consuming fire for it has been written, 'For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. (Deut. 4:24) and (Heb 12:29)

So brothers, Let us try not to compromise in anyway by meddling with iniquity as we run faithfully our Christian race. Likewise, the Church in Thyatira or (the corrupt Church) was described in a similar way by our Lord like the Church in Pergamos.

The Lord described the Church in Sardis as dead saying; 'I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God'.( Rev. 3:1-2). However in verse 4, he commends a few names even in Sardis whom had not defiled their garments, promising they would walk with Him in white for they had been found worthy.

Finally brothers, Jesus warned the (Lukewarm) Church that is the Church of the Laodiceans, the Lord said; 'I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. so then
because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth' (Rev 3: 15-16)

Let us all sincerely examine our ways and consider what category of Churches in the former Asia as mentioned that we fall into. Let us try to be like the Church in Philadelphia...the Faithful Church and the few in Sardis of those who kept the Lords Commands. As we do so, I pray that God Almighty will give us all the grace and the strength to overcome and do those things the Lord expects from His faithful believers; as He has promised in His word, 'To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne', he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches (Rev. 3:21-22)