Times Of Swaziland: LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
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The Editor on 21/07/2017 08:51:00


Sir,
The opening chapter of Revelation describes Jesus, appearing in a vision to John
on the island of Patmos, commanding him to write what he was about to see to the
seven churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and
Laodicea (Rev. 1:11).
During ancient times when one was writing a letter, the author began by
identifying himself or herself and in all the seven letters (Revelation 2 and
3), Jesus identifies Himself as the author. It was Jesus who commanded John at
the beginning of each letter to ‘write’. When John turned to see the voice
that spoke to him he saw Jesus walking among seven lamp stands, symbolising the
seven churches (Rev. 1:12, 13, 20).
There were more than seven churches in John’s day, so we know that the number
and the names of these churches have a prophetic meaning. Seven in the Bible
represents completeness or perfection.
These letters were not only confined with matters pertaining to a few particular
churches but they represented all of God’s people; both back then and also
down through the ages to the end of time. The seven churches are prophetic for
the seven historical periods of the whole church throughout the Christian era.
Each letter begins with a language from the initial vision of Jesus in chapter
1, imagery such as the lamp stand being removed, the sword coming out of
Jesus’ mouth, hidden manna, new names, Jezebel, the rod of iron, the morning
star, white garments, gold, eye salve, open and closed doors are all clearly
symbolic.
That these letters were ultimately addressed to everyone became clear from the
admonition at the end of each letter: “Let anyone who has an ear listen to
what the Spirit is saying to the churches (plural).” Meaning there is a
message for every single believer contained in the messages to the seven
churches; no one is left out.
All the seven messages make up a very distinct message directed by Christ to His
‘whole’ church today. The letters begin with the description of a ‘first
love’ experience, which was a characteristic of the apostolic church. And they
conclude with a view of materialistic abundance which is a characteristic of the
church in the modern age. It should be noted in closing that these seven periods
mark changing experiences, conditions and circumstances in connection with the
church, and call for special help from Christ. In all the different
circumstances in all the seven churches Christ is the solution.
Dear reader, Christ is able to supply all the needs of the church in the
changing experiences of His church. The church can never be confronted with any
emergency which Christ is not able to solve. Even in your life as an individual
there is no situation which Christ is not able to solve; trust Him
.
Joanna Bopoto (joannabopoto@gmail.com)