Day 241, Revelation 3
We continue with the letters from Jesus to the seven churches. In chapter two, we saw how Jesus introduced Himself to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Today, Jesus describes Himself to Sardis as the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. To Philadelphia, He is the holy and true who has the key of David (opening and shutting without reversal). To Laodicea, He calls Himself the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. All these personal descriptions will have been significant to the congregation in focus, because everyone has an identity rooted in relationship with Christ. In each letter there is a format: starting with a specific reminder of a characteristic of Jesus (drawn from the unveiling in Chapter One) and going on to an affirmation of something the church is doing well (except Laodicea which has no commendation). Next there is a warning about something that needs to be addressed or corrected (Smyrna and Philadelphia do not receive correction in this way). Finally, each letter ends with an exhortation from the Spirit to overcome and promising an aspect of the glorious future Jesus has secured.
Notice how this pattern is also how God often relates to us. He gives us a glimpse of Himself in a way that uniquely resonates with our relational experience of Him, then He commends what is good and corrects what is not, before reminding us of our eternal hope.
Rather than digging into the detailed differences between each church, I encourage you to see aspects of Jesus in each letter and expect these unveilings to draw you into a deeper relationship with Him, and with His children. Avoid both self-aggrandizement and self-condemnation. Neither come from Jesus: He wants you to be more like Him.
I recommend N.T. Wright’s book “Revelation For Everyone” as an easy read which unlocks many aspects of this powerful poetic prophecy.
Have a great day!
Mark.