The Beauty in Correction
Hey Sisters!!! (& Brothers!)
This is our first Bible Study blog in 2023!! Just know life has been life’ing! LOL and we are STILL blessed and HIGHLY favored!!
We hope the first quarter of the year has been treating ya’ll good!! My sister shared a word with me, and I thought I would share it with ya’ll, so let’s get into it!!
Read Revelation 2 & 3!
In both chapters, God is talking to the 7 churches. In past, when I heard about God speaking to the 7 churches, I always thought about it in a negative way. Like they were full of sin and so bad (clearly this is my first time studying it on my own!). Now, don’t get me wrong, God is correcting/rebuking them for specific sins, but He is doing it with so much LOVE and Grace!! He even commends them for the things that they are doing good in his eyes!
Revelation 2:1- He starts off addressing the Church of Ephesus. In that verse He points out that he is the one that holds the seven stars and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
Note: The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20)
This is important because these churches are His Bride! They belonged to him and they had experienced his divine presence. Hebrews 12:6 tells us that God corrects those he loves! We must be presented white, spotless, and holy before him, Ephesians 5:27. Therefore, he HAD to address them so that they could have the opportunity to get it right.
With that being said, let’s look at what God said about the churches and what we can learn from these chapters!
The church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)- The Active Church
God commends commitment to sound doctrine. They despised sin, labored for Christ, they were patient, and fainted not.
God rebukes them stating that they have left their first love. Their first love is the love that they once had for Christ. Their walk with Christ became formality and their love had grown cold.
The fire and enthusiasm that they once had while serving Christ had gone out. (When a candle’s fire is put out, the wax hardens as it cools).
Matthew 24:12 says “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
They were instructed to repent and do the first works! We must follow the doctrine of Christ in love! Where we love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Because of our love for God, we can spread the Gospel of Christ in Love! (Ephesians 4:15)
The church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)- The Poor but Rich Church
God commends their good works, and tribulation, and poverty (but he states they are rich).
Although tribulation and poverty don’t seem good, the scripture tells us that its OK if we suffer on earth (for Christ) because our reward is great!! – Matthew 5:11-12 and Hebrews 11:24-26
Romans 5:3-5 tells us to glory in tribulation.
God encourages the church to not give up and to endure unto death and he will give them the crown of life!
The church in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17)- The Heretical Church
God commends their steadfastness and unwavering in the faith.
God rebukes their evil associations stating they have with them those who hold the doctrine of Balaam.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 states:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
The church in Thyatira (Revelation 2: 18-29)- Church of False Prophets
God commends them on love, service, faith, their works, and their patience.
God rebukes them for allowing a false prophet with the spirit of Jezebel to seduce servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto animals. He has already judged Jezebel, and anything connected to her will receive that same judgment.
The church in Sardis (Revelation 2:1-6)- The Dying Church
God rebukes formalism. They “claim” that they are spiritually alive, but God sees their works as dead. He warns them to be watchful, which means to stay ready for his return. He reminds them how he has given his church special privileges to know the mysteries of heaven and they need to hold fast and repent.
The church in Philadelphia (Revelation 2:7-13) – The Loyal Church
God commends this church for keeping his word and not denying his name. He states that because they have kept his word of patience, he will keep them from temptation.
The church of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3: 14- 19)- The Lukewarm Church
God rebukes this church for being Lukewarm. Their self-righteousness is built on earthly treasures and worldly fullness/pride, but spiritually God sees them as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. He advises them to repent and allow him to give them spiritual treasures and riches.
Revelation 3:20-22;
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
In each letter to the church, God encourages the churches to repent of their sins and continue in the FAITH. He reminds them of his promises and the rewards that are waiting for those who endure the end! He also reminds them of the consequences that are connected to sin if they continue therein.
Sin is sin! And God calls us to be Holy like he is Holy! Sometimes when we think we are doing “it” right or have it all together, God shows us ourselves and how he sees us. I am so glad that he LOVES us enough to CORRECT us so that we do not continue to operate in sin and be condemned to HELL! He opens the opportunity for us to repent so that he can receive us on that day. This is a lifetime of washing!
God is so Faithfull!! And I love him! Because he first loved me, Ya’ll!! Omg!!
What were your take-a-ways!? How do you relate to the churches? Let us know!!
With love,
Sister on Sundays