CHRIST’S LAST WORD TO HIS CHURCH

In Revelation 2-3, we have seven messages to seven churches. These churches were real people in real places with real potentials and real problems. Yet, in these we have vital lessons for all churches of all locations and for all time.

Each one begins similarly, “To the angel of the church…” and ends with, “He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  The Greek word translated, “angel,” literally means, “messenger,” and most often refers in the Bible to a heavenly messenger—a celestial being. While that is possible here, nowhere else in Scripture do we read of a specific angel assigned to a local church. Instead, I think it more likely as descriptive of a human messenger—the shepherd of that local flock. The first eyes to look on the letter would be the one responsible to proclaim it to the congregation. 

What a great opportunity!  The pastor has the privilege of hearing from God that He might speak for God. Yet, this is also a grave responsibility! We are not only in a privileged, but a pivotal position as God’s representatives. Pastor, you are an angel—don’t act like a devil!  One day we will stand before the Lord and be judged accordingly.

In each letter, the Lord identifies Himself in a specific way according to the particular needs of that local congregation. “I know your works,” is the declaration of Christ to each church. What ultimately matters is not what the congregation thinks of itself, nor what the community thinks of the church, but what Christ knows about that local assembly. He knows it all—nothing is hidden to His eyes, “like a flame of fire,” (2:18). The Lord commends the church for the good He discerns (and there is some good in all but one—Laodecia, the lukewarm church that nauseated Him).  The Lord confronts the church for the problems He detects (and there is some in all but two—Smyrna, the persecuted church that was faithful to Him—purified by fiery trials and Philadelphia, the missionary church—the church of the open door). There is the promise of a particular reward for each church that would hear and heed the message.

Those local churches were comprised of individual members. Should even one respond in faith and obedience, there is the promise of reward. Surely, the pastor is the first one who needs to submit to the authority of Christ in His church. If He will submit and then share the Word, as members one by one do likewise, then there is hope for the Lord’s blessing on that fellowship. 

“He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  We are called to “overcome,” the world, the flesh, and the devil. God gives us His Scripture to guide us and His Spirit to empower us through faith and obedience.

Preacher, it starts with you. God has placed you and your congregation strategically to make a difference for Him in this time and place. Will you?