Write the things which thou sawest
and the things which are, and the things
which are to take place after these.
The mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand, and the
seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars
are the angels of the seven Churches:
and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest
are the seven Churches.
Revelation 1:19-20
I stated when I began this study that I would take time to carefully examine the Scriptures to ensure that I would not miss out on the richness of these words, and that I would not succumb to any speculation or false interpretation. So then, I am rewriting those verses because it is important to understand that they were written by the last living of the twelve disciples of Jesus. John writing on the island of Patmos was at least 100 years old. I believe then that we must take those words of John to be very important as he writes the final conclusion in regards to God and His people, and about those who are not It important that we know whether or not our Church is built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. It is probable true that those who read this blog are members of some visible Church. It is also true, I suppose that you attend the public worship of some visible Church, that which is made of professing Christians.
Due to this letter being the last letter inspired to be written and is written in much symbolic language we must take time to pay special attention to the verse of Scripture because what is written are words that concern you, and are for your learning. So then the words of Jesus are this: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:22). Those words are repeated seven times in the second and third chapters of Revelation.
God is all and is in need of nothing and all that He does is perfect in all His works and does nothing by chance. Yes man has caused imperfection due to sin but God makes lemonade out of lemons. He had this letter written so that we may know His dealing, to be able to trace His design, His purpose, and plan. There is design and purpose for every verse in the Bible and a design for every repetition of a verse as in Revelation 3:22). They all have meaning and that meaning is for to observe to know what God has intended. The fact that those verses were written to those seven Churches then we as Authentic Christian believers are take particular notice of the things that were spoken to and about those seven Churches in Revelation. In those words are leading truths which they teach, truths for all time, for the time we live in, and truths for days to come, those latter times. All this would be good for us to know and better for us if we do.
First, we must notice that Jesus speaks of nothing but matters of doctrine, practice, warning, and promise. There in those seven letters to those seven Churches it is to be found that Jesus finds fault with false doctrines and ungodly inconsistent practices and has sharp rebuke towards them. Also it is true that Jesus at times praises faith, patience, work, labour, perseverance and bestows on these graces high commendation. It is also true that Jesus admonishes true Christians to return to their first love. At times Jesus enjoins repentance and a renewed application to Himself and all that He has taught.
Now, it is also very important that we understand that Jesus did not give specific instructions about Church government or ceremonies. Jesus says nothing about them the sacraments, or ordinances, liturgies, or forms, or baptism, or the Lord's Supper, or apostolical succession of ministers. The sacramental system is not forwarded to any of the seven Churches. Why speak about this? Because many of the Churches today, those professing Christianity, would have us believe these things mentioned above are of first, of cardinal, of paramount importance. Many of those Churches hold to a belief that no Church can be without a bishop, and there can be no godliness without a liturgy. This they say is the first work of the minister and gives them the ability to keep their Church together so it is the first business of the minister.
Why dwell on this? We cannot come to truth without understanding how it applies. Before anything about the future is written Jesus addresses the Church, those seven Churches that represent all of Christianity. Therefore it is of first and foremost important to all who strive to live Authentic Christian lives. I will continue this conversation in the next blogs. Read these verses, read them and pray over them, meditate upon them, and be blessed as you are led to the truth by the Holy Spirit that indwells in you.
He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation
to come: and the people which shall
be created shall praise the LORD.
Psalm 102:17-18
Blessing come when you study His word
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment