This present age of grace is marked by gospel proclamation and church expansion. Even as the Lord continues to build His Church, there is still a need for spiritual revival, beginning with repentance. This is borne out by the apostle John in the last book of the New Testament, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. While the emphasis of the book is on future events in heaven and upon the earth, chapters two and three comprise a group of letters addressed to seven churches of John’s day. These assemblies of Christians were in the Roman province of Asia (present-day Turkey). They represented spiritual conditions in the first century, but they also apply to assemblies today.
There is a consistent structure throughout most of these letters: a picture of Christ, a commendation, a condemnation, a call to repentance, a warning of the Lord’s judgement, and a promise to the overcomer. There are a few notable exceptions to this general pattern. For example, the Lord had no word of criticism for the suffering church in Smyrna or the weak company of believers in Philadelphia. Conversely, there was no commendation for the proud and arrogant assembly in Laodicea.
We cannot be certain whether those five assemblies urged to repent ever did so. Did they experience the blessing and joy of revival? It is solemn to note that today, in that region of the world, “the seven churches in Asia” are only identified by ancient ruins. We cannot deduce from this that Paul’s efforts there were substandard or deficient in any way. Far from it! With the onward march of history, places and circumstances change. And yet, there is great comfort in our Lord’s promise: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mat 16:18).1 Even if we might feel that the work of the Lord has stalled in our area, we should look up and look out to see that the fields are still white unto harvest. All over the world, and often in less favored places, many souls are coming to faith in Christ. Let us rest assured that the ultimate fruit of the redemptive work of Christ upon the cross will be second to none.
Ephesus – A Loveless Church
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” (Rev 2:5).
The assembly at Ephesus was an outstanding example of faithfulness in doctrine and busyness in practice. Their orthodoxy was commended. Nevertheless, there was one glaring fault in the eyes of the Lord – they had left their “first love.” They were as cold as ice. The warmth of a vibrant and fervent love for Christ had gone. In a real sense, they had left Him. This was no minor matter; it was described as a fall. The situation was so serious and urgent that they needed to repent; otherwise the Lord would come quickly and remove their testimony.
Pergamos – Worldliness
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev 2:16).
Once again, this church had many commendable features. However, the Lord had discerned that both idolatry and immorality were being tolerated. Worldliness had made major inroads. Reference was made to Balaam, a false prophet in the Old Testament. Though prevented from turning God away from His people, he was successful in turning them away from God by corrupting them from within. The call to repentance was urgent; otherwise the Lord would move quickly in judgement according to His unchanging word.
Thyatira – Unholiness
“And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds” (Rev 2:21-22).
Again, we see the unholy mix of that which is good with that which is evil. The first does not excuse the second. This assembly displayed a love that Ephesus lacked. They were busy and diligent. The main problem was that they had allowed an evil woman called Jezebel to hold sway among the saints and defile them. The Lord is explicit as to the opportunity He gave her to repent. She had refused, but there was still hope that some of her followers would be wise and return to the Lord.
Sardis – Lifeless
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent” (Rev 3:3).
The assembly in Sardis was proud of its name and heritage, but it had become lifeless. It manifested an outward display of spirituality, but there was no inner reality. There were still a few who remained faithful to the Lord and clung to holiness as their way of life. This should hold us back from “writing off” entire companies of God’s people. There is often a remnant of believers who remain true to the Lord, even though their patience is tested and their hearts are breaking. They have resisted the easy option of running away.
Laodicea – Careless
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev 3:19).
The Lord accused this last church of being lukewarm. They were careless and half-hearted about spiritual matters. They were so distasteful to Him that He warned He would spew them out of His mouth. Their priority was material prosperity, of which they were boastful. When they arrogantly congratulated themselves on their comfortable conditions and need of nothing, the Lord confronted them with their true state of spiritual poverty, blindness and nakedness. He would chasten them in love if they did not repent.
As we draw the threads of truth together, we should be sobered by what we learn from these seven churches. Doctrinal orthodoxy is no guarantee against backsliding, nor is a full programme of busy service. There are no perfect assemblies, just as there are no perfect saints. The devil is still seeking to destroy every testimony to the Lord’s name. External opposition is not his only line of attack; internal division and spiritual decline accomplish the same end. May the assemblies of which we are part be humble enough to acknowledge spiritual shortcomings and wise enough to change course if necessary. It is only as we seek to stay close to the Lord and be obedient to His Word that we can be confident of His presence and blessing. He can refresh us and revive us if we are willing to repent.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.