[Map showing the seven churches to which Jesus sent messages via the apostle John who was exiled on the island of Patmos]
If we are ever inclined to think, albeit secretly, that our church is prospering due to our hard work, then this blog is for us today. If, on the other hand, we are feeling downcast and burdened with the responsibility and care of investing time, effort and money in a church which seems to be dying, then this blog is equally relevant to us. The vision John saw and described in the first chapter of Revelation makes it abundantly clear that Paul's message of Jesus being the head of the church (Colossians 1:18) does not mean that Jesus is an absentee landlord or a figurehead. He cares deeply about each local church and knows intimately the real condition of the church. We might succeed in impressing the public with window dressing but Jesus sees behind the trappings and the facade. He knows exactly how the church is witnessing in the local community. He sees even deeper and discerns our motives and the state of our 'heart.' He discerns the true motives for all the activity in our church
[12] Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest [Revelation 1:12-13 ESV].
There are seven golden lampstands representing the seven churches to whom individual messages were sent (recorded in chapter 2 and chapter 3). These are actual churches and they are all unique and distinct. There were more churches in the province of Asia Minor - there is no letter sent to the church at Colossae or Lystra or Miletus or Derbe and yet we know that there was a church in each of these cities. The number 7 is chosen deliberately - the number of completeness. Jesus is addressing the complete church in all ages and in all continents. This is a picture of the universal church over which Jesus is the head but it is made up of individual local churches with strengths and weaknesses. But Jesus is seen in the middle of the churches. He is not remote or distant. He is very near and so near that he hears all the conversations taking place in and around the church. He knows the feelings of the members of the church. He is deeply aware of the faithfulness and commitment of the members of the church. He knows the effort which they make to maintain a witness in difficult challenging times. He knows whether their love for Him is genuine and real. He is deeply hurt by apathy or complacency or pride or lethargy.
The messages to the churches are corporate letters. He is addressing them as a corporate church and it is the spiritual condition of this corporate entity that he assesses. That is not saying that he ignores any differences across the church and includes everyone in the commendation or criticism if there are exceptions. He does recognise that there are some who have kept themselves separate from the general decline which is happening (for example, the letter to the church at Pergamum speaks about 'some who hold the teaching of Balaam' and 'some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans' (Revelation 2:14-5).
The messages or edicts to the churches repeatedly indicate that Jesus knows the true condition of each church. For example in his message to the church at Ephesus, he says:
[2] “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. [3] I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. [Revelation 2:2-3 ESV]
When addressing the church at Thyatira, Jesus says:
And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. [Revelation 2:23 ESV]
Notice how many times Jesus says "I know" when he is speaking to the individual churches - Ephesus (Revelation 2:2-3); Smyrna (Revelation 2:9); Pergamum (Revelation 2:13) Thyatira (Revelation 2:19); Sardis (Revelation 3:1); Philadelphia (3:8); Laodicea (Revelation 3:15). If there is one lesson we need to learn above all others, it's this - Jesus knows the real condition of the church to which I belong. He makes a true and accurate assessment of the spiritual condition of the church. He knows the contribution you make. He knows every time you feel it necessary to malign the leaders of the church. He knows how you really feel about going to church. He knows how deep is your affection for Him and how genuine is your loyalty to Him.
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