Wake up, Repent, Strengthen, and Shine.

On the Island of Patmos, the apostle John the Beloved was exiled years after Jesus’ resurrection.  During the exile, John received a visitation from the Lord.  He gave John a message for the seven churches, including an evaluation of what they had succeeded at and what they had failed at.  I want to focus on the last three of these seven churches, since they have much to say about the church of today.

1)     THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA

Even though Jesus has nothing but criticism for this church, He loves them and calls them “His church”.  They are a wealthy but stubborn and independent congregation.  They were so stubborn that they refused government help when faced with attacks from their enemies, even though their enemies were being victorious.  This culture affected their walk with God as they saw themselves as self-sufficient and able to handle all obstacles by their own might and power. 

In Revelation 3:17, Jesus tells them, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and need nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”  They have come to a place where they can have a church service without being concerned whether Jesus or the Holy Spirit joins them or not.  They are satisfied with their wealth, professional staff, capable preacher, and opulent facility.  They were hip and happening, and these things were all that mattered.  They were completely blind to their pitiful spiritual condition.

Revelation 3:18-  “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

Jesus was encouraging them to make a shift in what they found valuable, which is what they purchased.  Gold, clothing, and eye salve or cosmetics.  These are all things that we use to adorn ourselves.  He was trying to get their focus off of themselves and onto the Kingdom of God.  It is to this church that Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

This is Jesus talking to the church in Laodicea.  This is a church that had locked Him out.

2)     THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

This is the church that God is telling, “You are only limited by your own vision”.  In Revelation 3:8, He says, “I know your works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My Name.”

When a door has been opened for a church or an individual believer, nothing can close it.  If you will keep following the Lord in surrendered obedience, He will keep the door open.  You will experience His divine opportunities, coincidences, favor, wisdom, and timing.  What was it about the church at Philadelphia that Jesus liked?  Revelation 3:8 reveals three of them:  “You have little strength”.  Jesus likes this because it keeps them dependent upon God.   “You have kept My word”.  This means that they were full of faith matched with obedience, since faith comes by hearing the word of God.  Thirdly, “You have not denied My name”.  This means that they weren’t ashamed to be called Christians, followers of Jesus.  The fourth thing Jesus liked about this church is more implied; they had an open door.  This is only found three times in the New Testament and speaks of building bridges to the lost, backslidden, and unresolved.  They were commended for the way they reached beyond their walls to reach the lost.

3)     THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

The church at Sardis identifies the most closely with the churches that the majority of believers attend.  It is spoken of in Revelation 3:1-  “….these things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:  ‘I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

The truth is that Christianity in America has been on a steady decline since the 1950s.  There has been a significant drop-off in the past five years.  The catalyst may be due to Covid.  When Christians were recently surveyed and asked how many of them have a biblical worldview, the findings showed that only about one-third did.  When they were asked, “Do you believe that Jesus lived a sinless life?”  58 percent of those asked said “yes” five years ago; today it is 44 percent.  When asked, “Do you believe you have a unique God-given calling on your life?” 88 percent said “yes” five years ago.  Today it is 46 percent.  There were similar drop-offs when believers were asked about biblical views on abortion and about practicing their Christian faith.  About one-third of our nation’s Christians attend church regularly.

If you could have spoken to the other six churches mentioned in Revelation and asked them about the church at Sardis, they would probably have told you that they were the most happening, lively, and on-fire church among them.  Jesus said, “People see you one way, but I see you as totally the opposite”.   There are two possible reasons for this:  At one point, they really were alive, but they decided to make a formula out of their aliveness, and eventually got into the flesh.  Or, maybe they never were really alive spiritually, but they simply learned the latest hip and happening décor, sets, acts, and hoops to jump through to give the appearance of being alive.  The good news is that Jesus gives all three of these churches hope and a way out of their failures.  Revelation 3:2-3-  “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain; that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

Jesus gives four mandates to these churches:  Wake up spiritually, strengthen what is about to die, go back to what you heard at first, hold on to it, and repent and turn to Me.  Hopefully, these three churches will shine a light upon our spirituality and walk with God.