Daniel Hope

The problem some people have with the book of Revelation is that it is not plain enough. Due to the unclear language in this book, these people feel that Revelation cannot be understood. Although some sections of Revelation can be difficult to understand, the only problem someone could have with the second and third chapters of Revelation is that they are too plain. They cannot very easily be misunderstood.

In Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of Asia in these two chapters, we find very little tact or diplomacy. What we do find, though, is quite a bit of no-nonsense, straight talk. Jesus is very direct—very candid—when He addresses his bride, the church. Without a doubt, these churches know exactly where they stand—and where they fall short—when Jesus gets through with them.

The study of the seven churches of Asia will help us learn, as a congregation, how to please God. We can read of what these churches did to please Jesus, and we can strive do the same. On the other hand, we can read of what these churches did to displease Jesus, and we can do our best to not do likewise.

Even a casual reading of these seven letters may be enough for one to notice an evident pattern in Jesus’ assessments. This pattern can be broken down into the following five key parts: the counselor, the compliments, the complaints, the corrections, and the challenges.

The One who is counseling these seven churches is none other than Jesus Christ Himself! Jesus begins each letter by introducing Himself to the church to which He is writing. In the way He describes Himself it is clear that Jesus is qualified to counsel these churches. Christ lets them know that He is qualified because He is aware (Rev. 2:1), He is alive (Rev. 2:8), He is armed (Rev. 2:12), He is awesome (Rev. 2:18), He is an authority (Rev. 3:1), He is authentic (Rev. 3:7), and He is the Amen (Rev. 3:14). Immediately after He introduces Himself, Jesus makes sure that each church knows that He knows. To each church Jesus says, "I know your works" (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15). How unbelievably comforting, yet overwhelmingly scary it is to know that Jesus knows everything about every individual and every church that has ever or will ever exist!

In His assessments that follow His introductions, Jesus reveals His knowledge of the congregations. An interesting point to note is that Jesus typically commends before He condemns. In other words, He compliments them before He shares His complaints with them. In fact, the only church that Jesus condemns before He commends is sleeping Sardis. The lukewarm church at Laodicea possesses the even more unenviable distinction of being the only church that receives no compliments—no praise whatsoever—from Jesus. On the other hand, two of the seven churches receive no complaints from Jesus—steadfast Smyrna and powerful Philadelphia.

Jesus then tells each of the five churches that received criticisms to correct their problems. His message is simple. Repent…or else. Jesus emphasizes to estranged Ephesus that if they do not repent, He will remove their lampstand (Rev. 2:5). He promises promiscuous Pergamos that, unless thy repent, He is coming to fight against the idol worshippers (Rev. 2:16). The guilty persons in Thyatira are guaranteed physical sickness and death if they do not make the necessary changes in their lives (Rev. 2:22-23). Jesus warns Sardis that He will come on them as a thief if they do not repent (Rev. 3:3).

Christ’s closing remarks take the form of challenges. To each of the seven churches Jesus issues two specific challenges—hear and overcome. Let us be a church that hears and obeys the word of God. If we do…then we too can overcome!