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NASB | Revelation 1:11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 1:11 saying, "Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches--to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." |
Bible Question: Does anyone have a summary of the letters to the seven churches |
Bible Answer: Part 2 of 2 The Pergamos church are those that have a boldness and a zeal to take the battle to the gates of hell, they are quick to “stand up for their rights” demanding prayer in public schools, protesting abortion clinics, and many other things that seem like the right thing for us to do. They are even willing to die for the cause of Christ.. Nevertheless they seem to wink at personal sins, they allow doctrines to remain in their pulpits, minds, and hearts that tell them that it is ok to allow a little compromise, they will still be ok. Jesus hates this and demands repentance. Thyatira is the missionary church, raising money and doing great works, feeding the poor, feeding the hungry, and has many such missionary works ongoing that are all to be commended for, however this is the type of church or Christian that also entertains the idea that their missionary zeal will make up for a doctrine of compromise that says it is ok to have a porn addiction or other such compromise. The church at Sardis, is the church that is almost not a church. There are a few that really know the Lord and are still seeking Him, but many that are playing the church role, only on Sunday with no regard to the things of God any other day of the week, they are not even sure if they are saved or what the word means. They are the dead denomination that keeps presenting the front that they are a church but few among them have eternal life. The church of Philadelphia is the Church that is fervent of spirit, and they are known for Keeping His Word, they are Word focused and base all things as it relates to God and Christ on the Word, They are full of love for the Lord and for each other, making this their motive for service, they contend with those that would put saints under the law and refuse to compromise in the area of FAITH and worshipping in spirit and in truth. This local assembly or Christian is labeled a heretic by those that pretend to be experts in the “legality” of doctrine, but they never waver and keep on quoting the word rightly understood. The Laodecians are those churches or Christians that are not even willing to question for one second whether their denomination, colleges, pastors, or books are in error, they are confident that they sit on top of all the churches and are the blessed of God, that they have a better handle on doctrine than any other group and that their “fine” institutions have enabled them to say “that this is the finest hour the church has ever seen” and they have become smug and pompous in their pride. They have no need. They are confident that they are a light of the blind, a teacher of the foolish, an instructor of babes, and anyone that dares question their interpretation of scripture is pitied as ignorant and unlearned. They are certain that their denominational strength enables them to do great things in the world to advance the kingdom of God and are certain that God is behind it all. However they have no reliance on the Holy Spirit to give them power to be witnesses. They rely on programs and organized efforts distributed by their headquarters and not on the leading of the Spirit in their hearts. They are rich and increased with worldy power but they do not recall the scripture that says Isaiah 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. I have by no means exhausted the descriptions given. But if you meditate on these things, (provided you are born again, (the natural man cannot receive the spiritual things of God)) then the Lord will open them up to you as you trust Him to do so. |