I am reading through Revelation again for the umpteenth time in my life. I don’t know how many times I have read the book, but each time I do, I gain a new perspective of the Lord.

With each word of instruction Jesus gave to John about the seven churches, the Lord said, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2:29).

In some ways, certain parts of the Church today have stopped listening to the Spirit’s instruction. We can too easily be led by human opinion, not by the Spirit. That choice will move us farther away from the unchanging word of God.

When the Church stops listening to the Spirit, it will be to our spiritual demise because we are listening to untruths and spiritual fantasies.

I don’t see the letters to the seven churches as some dispensational structure but as counsel and warnings from the Lord that apply across time, no matter where we are living on the timeline of Church history.

As John stood upon the isle of Patmos, he heard the voice of Jesus, “Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, ‘Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches'” (1:10-11). In a loud voice, Jesus was addressing issues of utmost importance and needed to be heard. Jesus began to tell John about His concerns regarding the Church.

THEY ABANDONED THEIR FIRST LOVE
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first” (2:4). Loving God and loving people like we did in the beginning of our journey of faith is a safeguard. If we have lost our first love, it is a sin we need to repent from and return to the Lord.

THEY WERE AFRAID OF BEING TESTED
“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you” (2:10). Like it was for Jesus and His early disciples, the testing of our faith is not something to be afraid of. It’s what God uses to deepen our trust in Him.

THEY TOLERATED SIN
“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin” (2:14). Being intolerant of sin is a mark of spiritual maturity, not a mark of prejudice.

THEY PERMITTED THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL TO REMAIN UNCHALLENGED “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray” (2:20). What we permit to remain that is evil, will dictate the course of our faith.

THEY HAD LOOSENED THEIR GRIP ON THE TRUTH
“Hold tightly to what you have until I come. To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations” (2:25-26). A tight grip on our faith will impact us personally, but it will also affect the nations where we live.

THEY ALLOWED THEMSELVES TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY DEAD
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead” (3:1). Spiritual deadness happens over time when compromise, not faithfulness to God and His word,is leading the Church.

THEY HAD BECOME LUKEWARM
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold” (3:15). Like salt, our faith brings a distinctive taste both within the Church and within a nation. The Lord had something strong to say about a lukewarm faith: “Since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! (vs. 16)

THEY FORGOT THAT GOD DISCIPLINES OUR INDIFFERENCE
“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. (3:19). Those who allow indifference to the things that matter to God will receive the discipline of His love. It is a mark that we belong to Him.

There is promise for the churches that have listening ears, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (3:20).

This verse was not spoken in the context of someone getting born again. The seven churches were initially filled with believers, but they allowed things to enter the Church that had weakened their faith. The Lord is currently knocking on the door of His Church to make things right.

The words of the Lord’s correction will guide us in a new direction, always leading us back to intimacy with the Lord and renewing our friendship with Him. When we hear His voice, we will do whatever it takes to rebalance the ship of our faith. As a result of that realignment, we will see God do amazing things in His people.