The Lord woke me up early, as usual, telling me to get up and get on with my WORK and my ministerial commission. Normally, I know what I will be writing about before I sit down at the computer. However, this morning I had no inkling, not so much as a hint. When that happens I assume that He wants me to study His Word. This morning I sat with my portable desk on my lap and waited for direction from on high. Then it came–He wanted me to read from the Book of Revelation, beginning with chapter one, verse one. I taught a series on Christ’s letter to the churches of the Apostle John’s day some time ago. Little did I know that I would return to that subject, this time with the emphasis on WORKS. This series focuses on the exact meaning of the WORKS the people in the churches were either doing or failing to do. While reading this series, remember that Jesus was speaking to HIS CHURCHES, among which He STOOD AND WALKED (1:12; 2:1). The only differences between 90 A.D. when this episode took place and today is that church sins committed today are not as well-known as they were then, and when they do come to light, the people are much more accepting of them. And not only accepting, but in many cases, they believe that such sins as God’s will. Let us begin.

Beginning in 1:10 we find John receiving a visit from none other than Jesus Christ whose countenance is described in detail. Let it be known that the bodies of God’s Very Elect, born again saints will look exactly like Christ’s born again body (vss 13-16) following their rebirth at the time of the first resurrection–the “Resurrection of the Firstfruits”–the righteous, Law-keeping Sons of God. In 1:20 Jesus explains that the seven golden lampstands represented the seven churches which were located in seven cities found along a Roman mail route during the days of the Roman Empire. Those churches represented the seven eras through which God’s church would evolve from 31 A.D. until Christ’s return. Each of the churches manifested certain specific characteristics by which their future manifestations (eras) would be known. For example, the final church on the road (Laodicea) perfectly describes the final, modern-day church relative to their respective WORKS.

In 2:1-7 Jesus describes the church of Ephesus, noting their WORKS, labors, patience and their rejection of those IN THE CHURCH who were evil, some of whom claimed to be God’s apostles (ministers) but were not. He then praises the others for their labors on His behalf (2-4). In verse five Jesus reminds sinners in the church that they have “fallen” because they had “left your first love.” He counsels them to “REPENT and do (return to doing) the first WORKS”–with which they proved their love for Him. If they (sinning church members) did not do so quickly, Jesus would “remove your lampstand”–destroy the entire church. Note that Jesus specifically condemned the beliefs and practices of the Nicolaitanes in the church who were followers of a heretic named Nicolaus who taught the people that some of God’s Truths were wrong. Sound familiar? Notice that God hates man’s anti-Biblical customs such as the Sunday Sabbath, Christmas, Easter, etc., as well as other church “truths” such as original (Adam caused) sin, denominations, the trinity and the rapture. Remember, Jesus is addressing CHURCH PEOPLE. Sinners within those churches were commanded to REPENT AND GET RIGHT WITH GOD BY OBEYING HIM. The Lord does not suggest, He COMMANDS. There are only two ways: His way or the high way.

The second church (and future church era) Jesus had John to address was the church at Smyrna (2:8-11). In verse nine He states that He knows about the WORKS they had done while suffering persecution. He knows about those who blaspheme by saying they are spiritual Jews (Christians) but lie. (true Christians are spiritual Jews/Israelites–Law keepers). He notes that these church members are of the “synagogue of Satan” that was operating in the church. In verses ten and eleven Jesus encourages those who would be persecuted for their stand against sinning church members and their god–Satan. Those who remain faithful to Him (Jesus) will receive the crown of eternal life. In verse eleven Jesus tells them (and us) that those who overcome Satan’s temptations will not suffer the second death–being cast into hell fire. Note it: sinners in the church can die the second death if they do not repent and turn, or return, to the Lord.

In 2:12-17 Jesus dictates a letter to the church located in Pergamos whom He praises for their WORKS in spite of being in Satan’s capital where one of their members had been martyred for upholding the Name of the Lord and having faith in Him. In verse 14 the Lord condemns others in the church who follow the teachings of Balaam by eating things dedicated to idols and committing sexual immorality. Also within that church were those who held to the teachings of the Nicolaitanes. Christ commands that such people “Repent” or face the “sword of the Spirit”–the Word of God. Those who overcome Satan’s temptations will be greatly rewarded. By warning that sinners would face the “sword of the Spirit,” Jesus is referring to the spoken word which contains the power of the Holy Spirit when it comes from one of God’s true warriors. Notice that Jesus said that HE WOULD COME AND ATTACK THEM WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. This tells me that there was no one in any of the three churches with enough faith and righteousness to deal with the sinners in the congregations. Which explains why such sinners remained in the churches. A true man of God would have sent such sinners literally out the door. The same holds true today. Which explains the sin-soaked, Satan-serving congregations who call themselves “Christians.”

In 2:18-29 the Almighty address those in the church at Thyatira. He praises their ever-increasing WORKS, love, service, faith and patience. However, He calls their attention to some things He has against them. They were allowing a woman named Jezebel to teach the people to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Though He had given her ample opportunity, she had refused to repent, to turn from her wickedness and to serve God instead of Satan. Jesus then warns that He will punish her and those who sinned with her by rewarding each according to his/her WORKS.

That is His message to all who call themselves “Christians” today. We either serve Him or we serve Satan. To those in the church who are not following Satan, The Lord tells us to “hold fast to what you have” until death in spite of the church’s persecution. Read Matthew 10:21,22. Those who “hold fast” will be rewarded greatly. Those who continue to sin will be rewarded accordingly. As stated earlier, we will all receive from the Lord according to our WORKS. This life is a spiritual bootcamp where we must prove our allegiance to a god–either the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, or Satan–“the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4). Note: The true Christian’s persecution comes from the Institutional Church. The non-church people do not care what we do, say or think. The church hates everything about God’s true saints because our light exposes their darkness. L.J.