“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 2:29
I’ll admit, the Book of Revelation isn’t the easiest book to understand. But as it is with every Book in the Bible, there is always something for us to learn, which is why it is so important that we ask and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us comprehend the very words He Himself inspired. Jesus told us we could rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all truth. So, with that in mind, what exactly can we glean from Revelation 2?
In this chapter, Jesus, through an angel, is speaking to four distinct Churches. All of these Churches had done some great things, yet He took issue with each one of them, and every issue was different.
The Church in Ephesus seemed to have an issue with their love walk. Somewhere along the way, they had lost their empathy and seemed to focus more on themselves than others, and even Jesus Himself.
The Church in Smyrna seemed to be overwhelmed with fear, and in particular, the fear of suffering. Although they had already experienced a great deal of suffering, it seems as if they had become paralyzed with the fear of a thing they had already experienced. Jesus encouraged them to stay faithful, not fearful, to the very end, at which time they would receive the “crown of life.”
The Church in Pergamum had fallen into the sin of idolatry and promiscuity. Jesus wanted them to turn away from such practices and receive a new name and identity that only He could give.
Finally, He addresses the Church of Thyatira as the one who had succumbed to the onslaught of the adversary himself through the workings of the spirit of Jezebel. They had allowed this evil and vile spirit to manipulate them, control them, and lead them astray.
The truth is, we all battle the world, the flesh, and the devil through what 1 John 2:16 calls “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Yes, if we’re honest, we all have moments when we stumble and fall. But the key to victory is to get back up and get back in the flow of the Spirit. Paul tells us how in Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Today, know that, with His help, we can walk in victory and receive great rewards when we reach our Heavenly home.