John’s letter to the seven churches of Asia is known as Revelation. Within this letter, he includes a message for each church. Within each of these messages, he includes the phrase, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (NLT) This phrase indicates that these messages may have been a direct word from God to each of the churches, but they carry universal meaning to everyone.
This letter is a circular letter. That is, it was sent from one spot, intended for multiple audiences. The letter would be carried from one location to the next until each church had a chance to read it. The churches that this was originally written to are:
- Ephesus – The Loveless Church
- Smyrna – The Persecuted Church
- Pergamum – The Compromising Church
- Thyatira – The Corrupt Church
- Sardis – The Dead Church
- Philadelphia – The Faithful Church
- Laodicea – The Lukewarm Church
Whenever you read the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, you need to compare the state of each of the churches to how you live your life.
Which commendation fits you? Which rebuke?
Which church do you belong to?
The promise to the overcomers applies to all who overcome. Whichever of theses seven churches you belong to, Christ is speaking to you, and He is making each of these promises to you. To those who overcome and to those who do not overcome.
How do you become an overcomer? Start with being overcome by the blood of Jesus. Then, live every moment of every day as one who has been overcome by the power of the Lord.
In 1997, Christian musician Michael Card wrote an album titled Unveiled Hope that is based on the book of Revelation. He also co-authored a book with Scotty Smith by the same title. The 2nd chapter, and the 3rd song talk about these messages to the churches and the overcomers. Both formats are very good, and well worth the read/listen.
To The Overcomers
I know your deeds, I’ve seen your service.
I recognize the reputation of your lives.
But I know you live near Satan’s shadow,
And I have seen your faithful struggles to survive.
And to the one who overcomes
I’ll give the manna.
He’ll have a pure white stone
With his own secret name.
She will possess the morning star in all its splendor –
All this and more for them because they overcame.
So just hold on, do not grow weary.
For I am He who searches hearts and minds.
Behold I’m standing at the door,
And I am knocking.
And the one who hears and opens it will find (that)
The one who overcomes will rule the nations.
On the throne he’ll sit beside me dressed in white.
She will become a column in God’s holy temple.
They will all eat freely from the Tree of Life.
The overcomers come to understand
That they are precious poems printed
In the palms of His hands.
And to the one who overcomes
I’ll give the manna.
He’ll have a pure white stone
With his own secret name.
She will possess the morning star in all its splendor –
All this and more for them because they overcame.
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