Revelation 2:18-3:22

We Are the Churches

In these letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor we see virtually all churches in all places at all times. Here is a brief synopsis of each church, its pros and cons.

Ephesus

Pro: Busy. Does a lot of good stuff. Doesn’t give up easily. Holds to sound doctrine and isn’t easily taken in by charlatans. 

Con: For all the good it is trending downward. The reason is they are no longer motivated by love.

Smyrna

Pro: Good, solid, faithful church.

Con: None in God’s sight but the world might find them not very flashy and certainly won’t be attracted to their lack of material goods.

Pergamum

Pro: They haven’t cut and run even in the face of persecution. They hold to Christ’s name.

Con: While the stand well against persecution they seem to be quite susceptible on the other end of the scale. In other words, they seem willing to sell out for money.

Thyatira

Pro: They are a busy, serving, loving church. And they are trending upward in these areas.

Con: They are so loving and “open” that they have actually been taken in by teachings that immorality is okay.

Sardis

Pro: They have a reputation of being alive.

Con: Their reputation is misleading.

Pro: Even in such a place there are some who really are alive.

Philadelphia

Pro: They are faithful and serve faithfully.

Con: None in God’s sight; however, to the world they seem small and insignificant.

Pro: No one can shut the door God has opened for them and they will thrive when the rest of the world is thrown into turmoil. 

Laodicea

Pro: None in God’s sight; however, they world is impressed by their “wealth”.

Con: They really don’t care about God that much. They care just enough to not realize that they don’t really care.

Pro: Jesus hasn’t given up on them.

Does any of this sound familiar? It should.