December 10, 2023
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” (Revelation 2:4 NLT). John’s revelation began with seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. Each letter mentioned something specific to the city in which the church was located. Most of the letters began with a commendation
December 10, 2021
DOES JESUS HAVE YOUR FIRST LOVE? John’s revelation began with seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. Each letter mentioned something specific to the city in which the church was located. Most of the letters began with a commendation followed by a correction. This was the case with the first letter, which was written to
December 10, 2020
WILL YOU BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH? The Lord Jesus dictated letters to be sent to the seven churches in Asia Minor via the apostle John. In His letter to the church of Smyrna, Jesus warned them of an upcoming time of suffering and tribulation. He called them to “be faithful until death,” reminding them that
December 10, 2019
JESUS CARES ABOUT OUR LOVE John’s revelation began with seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. Each letter mentioned something specific to the city in which the church was located. Most of the letters began with a commendation followed by a correction. This was the case with the first letter, which was written to Ephesus.
December 11, 2017
The book of Revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches written by the apostle John on behalf of Jesus. They were addressed to the “angel” of each church. The word “angel” might also be translated “messenger,” as each letter would be expected to be read aloud by a messenger to the church, who was most likely that church’s pastor.
Each letter followed a similar outline:
1) Place to. (In this case, Thyatira, the ruins of which lie in the modern city of Akhisar, Turkey.)
2) Person from. (In every case, Jesus. To the church at Thyatira He is the omniscient judge, with “eyes of fire” and “feet of brass.”)
3) Praise given. (Jesus commended Thyatira for their “works” saying “the last are more than the first.”)
4) Problem named. (Thyatira was “allowing” or tolerating false teaching from a woman named “Jezebel.”)
5) Prescription given. (“Hold fast” until Jesus returns.)
6) Promise offered. (God would give them authority. After all this is what they had lost with their tolerance of Jezebel.)
Christ’s letter to the church at Thyatira is a warning to any church that makes tolerance their main doctrine and therefore gives up the authority of God’s Word.
December 10, 2013
Since Jesus has called us to a relationship, He cares about our love. The church at Ephesus was commended by Christ for their works, endurance and doctrine. Yet, He questioned the priority of their love. He called them back to the passion they had when they first began. Jesus cares as much for our attitude as our action. He wants our hearts afire with a love for Him that worships out of passionate devotion, not religious duty.
December 10, 2011
Churches today track how much money and how many people, but Jesus had a different way of tracking success. He wanted to know how much they loved Him. How’s your church doing?