God’s Blessings Can Be Lost

Good morning my fellow believers in Christ Jesus. Today we are going to examine a passage in the book of Revelation that speaks of a church that was admonished by Jesus, letting them know that they have become lazy in their love for the Lord. They have gotten to the point where they feel that they have been there and done that, and there is nothing more that I need to do to show my belief in Jesus.

Keep in mind as you listen to this message, that the letters written for the churches some 2000 years ago, is being read by us today…so that means the message still applies us today.

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.

And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’.

Revelation 2:1-7

We come to our second church in our series of messages on the seven churches mentioned in revelation. Today we will look at the Loveless Church. The book of revelation primarily deals with the time after the rapture culminating with the second coming of Christ and the establishment of the eternal kingdom. The first three chapters are still part of the vision god gave to john, but they speak to churches and are set apart from the post-rapture part of revelation, making them a bit easier to understand and to apply.

So, what does that mean? Well, it means that we still have time to get things right with Jesus. But once the rapture occurs, you will then have to deal with really suffering for your belief in Christ, because the bible tells us that those out of the tribulation and great tribulation will be those killed for their belief in Jesus.

To understand the context for our passage we must look at chapter one. Verse four contains the commission for john to write these letters to the seven churches mentioned. Some believe them to be circular letters, which means that although they dealt with matters at one church, they were to be passed on to the others to prepare them for dealing with the various issues presented.

Two key features mentioned in chapter one is, golden lampstands and stars.

Revelation 1:12: Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

Revelation 1:16: He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Obviously, Revelation is a book that deals with symbolism, but John goes on to give us the meaning of the golden lampstands and stars in verse 20.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:20

The angels of the churches are the pastors and leaders of the churches.

While there have been several ideas as to why these churches were chosen, and to whom the messages to the churches are for, I am convinced that there is a message for our church from each of these letters, a message that if we take it to heart can help our church to continue to be relevant to our community today.

The last thing to note about the lampstands is in verse 13.

Revelation 1:13: and amid the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

The one who was moving to and fro among the candlesticks is Jesus. We must understand that Jesus is moving in His churches today. He is there for us to call upon when we want and need direction. We must remember that this church is His church. He will never leave us or forsake us, but we must be careful. If we walk away from Him, then He will not abide with us.