It Starts Small

   In each letter through out this series, we will examine each of the churches that Jesus chose to write letters to. These were real churches located in Asia Minor, now western Turkey. There are two explanations of why Jesus chose these specific seven churches.

The first is that each of these churches represent the varying spiritual conditions of churches throughout the church age.

Second, each of these churches represents the seven stages of church history, with Laodicea, the apostate church representing the current stage of church history. Regardless of how we view these churches, we can learn much about the present from Jesus’ letters.

Each letter, Jesus would begin by identifying Himself with a title. This title pertained to the spiritual condition of the church that He was addressing. Jesus then informed each church that
He knows all about them and their deeds. He would then assess the church’s spiritual condition and appeal to each church to listen to his assessment and take action.

Each letter addressed a specific church’s spiritual condition and the letter was for all the churches to heed as indicated by Jesus saying at the end of each letter, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This is our key verse throughout this series to memorize.

²⁹ “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2:29

Additionally, Jesus would end each letter with a promise to those who overcome.

⁴ because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.

1 John 5:4

John tells us in the above scripture who the overcomers are.

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In our scripture today, we look at the Church of Ephesus. Jesus says I hold the seven stars in my hand and walk among the lampstands.

Jesus made the meaning of the seven lampstands and the seven stars very apparent.

²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:20

He tells John that the seven lamp stands represent the seven churches and the seven stars stars are the seven church angels. The lamp stands are described as golden which shows the churches are valuable and precious to Jesus. To fulfill their their purpose of giving off light, these lampstands need oil. Oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit. The churches must be filled with the Holy Spirit so that their purpose can be achieved and to illuminate Jesus to the world.

John is directed to write letters to the angels of the seven churches. In the Greek, the word is angelos and means a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. IT describes an angel or human messenger sent. It is most agreed upon that the term refers to the pastors of each church. We read, Jesus holds each of these seven stars in His hands. This symbolizes the power and control He has over these churches.

Jesus gave the message to John, but let us look through John’s eyes for a moment. He sees Jesus in the midst, the middle of the lampstands. These letters come from Jesus to point out serious flaws and imperfections, but Jesus still loves the churches and walks among them. Its reassuring to know that flaws and imperfections do not cause His love to wane for us.

Jesus still wants to be in our midst.