The Book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 describe seven types of churches as follows: the loveless church, the persecuted church, the compromising church, the corrupt church, the dead church, the faithful church, and the lukewarm church. The following is a description of the various churches and the lessons we can learn from them.
The Loveless Church in Revelation chapter 2:1-7
Christ’s commendation for this church
This church shows perseverance and patience in the face of tribulations. This is important because as Christians, we are to walk in perseverance in the face of numerous tribulations. Our ability to endure trials and tribulation is one evidence of Christ Jesus truly living in us. Christ left us this example by withstanding ridicule from his persecutors. He endured suffering until his death on the cross. Likewise, we are also to endure trials and tribulations until the end. It is only by doing so that we shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
This church labors for the name of Christ without getting weary. As Christians, we should do all things in the name of Christ Jesus. All our engagements should thus aim at pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ and God, our Creator (Ephesians 6:5-7).
This church cannot bear those who are evil. This church pursues holiness above all else. This means that purity is its priority. As Christians, we are to lead holy lives. This is because God is holy and requires us to emulate Him in all our conduct (1st Peter 1:15).
It is a church that tests those who claim to be apostles to prove whether they are genuine or not. The scriptures encourage us to test all spirits and not just be quick to believe. This will help us detect lies perpetrated by false teachers who misinterpret scriptures for their personal gain (1st John 4:1).
This church hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
Christ’s rebuke for the loveless church
The only shortcoming of this church is that it has abandoned its first love. In other words, members of this church used to walk in love towards God and fellow men. However, this has since changed, and the members are simply going through the motions in order to fulfill their duty as Christians. Thus, genuine love is absent among the brethren. This lack of love is displeasing to Christ Jesus. He thus calls them to repent and return to their former way of love.
Lesson for us:
As Christians, we ought to walk in genuine love towards God and men (1st Peter 1:22). It is only by walking in love that the world will know we are true Disciples of Christ. The Bible teaches us that God is love (1st John 4:8). By walking in love, we are showing the true character of God. We live in a world full of hatred. As Christians, we are the light of the world. Therefore, we cannot walk in hatred as the world does. Instead, we should overcome the hatred in the world by walking in love. This means genuinely loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, doing good to those who hate us, and praying for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
The Persecuted Church in Revelation, chapter 2:8-11
Christ’s commendation for this church
This church has individuals that falsely claim to be Jews. Christ is against these impersonators.
The brethren in this church are facing poverty. However, Christ says that they are rich according to Him.
This is a church faced with persecution. According to Christ, the devil is planning to throw some of the brethren into prison and torture them to death. Christ is encouraging these brethren to be faithful to death, after which they will receive the crown of life.
This teaches us that at times, the tribulations that Christians go through may persist to death. This does not mean that God has abandoned us. Instead, God’s focus is for us to endure to the end and receive a reward in the hereafter (Revelation 1:10).
The Compromising Church in Revelation, chapter 2:12-17
Christ’s commendation for this church
This church dwells where Satan’s throne is. This means that they were living in an environment where sin was common. This same situation faced Lot during his stay in Sodom. The world we live in today is full of evil on every side. As Christians, we must daily submit to God to overcome.
The church is facing persecution and martyrdom. In many parts of the world, Christians are facing persecution because of their faith. In certain countries, the situation is so bad that some brethren end up killed because of their faith.
Despite the onslaught from the Devil, the brethren in this church have remained steadfast and have not renounced Christ’s name. They have chosen to keep the faith in the face of opposition. The lesson for us is that we should remain committed and focused in our race of faith despite the threats that come with this decision.
Christ’s rebuke for the compromising church
The brethren hold to the doctrine of Balaam. According to this doctrine, Balaam taught Balak to seduce the children of Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality in order to create a wedge between them and God. By so doing, the children of Israel would become an easy target given the lifting of God’s cover.
In addition, this church held the doctrine of Nicolaitans, something that Christ disapproved.
This teaches us that as Christians, we should not compromise our faith by engaging in activities disapproved of by God. If we disobey God’s instructions to us, His protection upon us gets withdrawn. This leaves us exposed to all manner of attacks from Satan.
The Corrupt Church in Revelation, chapter 2:18-29
Christ’s commendation for this church
This church is committed to faith, service, love, and patience. As Christians, we need to follow the example set by this church by walking in faith, service, love, and patience.
Christ’s rebuke for the compromising church
This church has allowed the woman Jezebel to beguile the servants of God. They have allowed this woman to teach sexual immorality. She has also taught the servants of God to commit idolatry. Christ has offered her time to repent, but she has not done so. Thus, the Lord declares judgment upon her, her children, and the brethren that commit sexual sin with her.
As Christians, we should desist from committing sexual immorality and idolatry, as they result in judgment. Christ requires us to remain pure and holy, only set apart for him.
The Dead Church in Revelation chapter 3:1-6
Christ’s commendation for this church
Some brethren in this church had remained steadfast in the faith and kept their garments white. However, many had little to write home about in their walk of faith. In other words, though they thought they were alive, Christ declared that they were but dead.
Christ’s rebuke for the dead church
Many in this church had abandoned the works that previously endeared them to Christ and strayed into things that were valueless. Christ is thus calling them to repent and return to the right path.
As Christians, we need to be persistent in our walk of faith. We should only engage in the works of faith outlined to us by scriptures. Any deviation from the way of truth may cost us the crown of life.
The Faithful Church in Revelation chapter 3:7-13
This church is faithful in the things of God. They have kept the faith and not renounced the name of Christ despite opposition from the enemy. They walk in perseverance and endurance in a world full of compromise.
We should emulate this church by staying true to our call in the present dispensation.
The Lukewarm Church in Revelation, chapter 3:14-22
Christ’s rebuke for the lukewarm church
This church is neither cold nor hot in her dealings with God. It has brethren who consider themselves self-sufficient and in need of nothing. Its members believe that they have achieved all in life. They have unknowingly shut Christ out of their lives due to this attitude.
A lesson for us is that sometimes we get to the point where we falsely believe we have become all-sufficient. Meaning, we can manage on our own without the input of God. This is a false sense of self-importance, which can only lead to one destination, self-destruction.
We need to know that we need God at all times in our lives. There is no area in our lives that we will ever be self-sufficient. Without Christ, we can do nothing. Without God, we are lost in this world.
I hope this is helpful.
God bless you.
Prayer to get born again
Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.
I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.
I believe that you died and were resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for saving me.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
Congratulations, friend! You are now a born-again Christian!
Welcome to the family of God!
My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved over 30 years ago while in high school.
I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind.
I have an MBA degree in strategic management and a BSc degree in botany and zoology.
I’m married to a loving lady called Leah. God has gifted us three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
(cellphone no.: +254 723 753820 or email: nolilo76@gmail.com)
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