Revelation 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and
the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
The setting for today's discussion is Christ explaining to John the
meaning of the seven candlesticks. Christ's message was directed to the seven
churches in western Asia Minor in the
first-century and revealed what Christ revered and valued in His churches.
There would consequences to the church or churches that disobeyed His
commandments and became spiritually decayed. Christ rewarded the church and
individuals that remained spiritually vigilant and faithful to Him and His
Word. His moral standards are what both churches and individuals will be
judged.
The question now becomes, how does Christ reward churches that remain
faithful and loyal to Him and His Word? The reward is that they will be spared
the trials that will come upon the earth in the end times (Revelation 3:10).
The faithful church will have eternal life and the church will receive Christ's
love, presence and an intimate fellowship with Him. The church that fail in its
mission of remaining pure and become lukewarm by diminishing in its faith will
be condemned and punished by being removed from their place in God's kingdom.
The question now becomes how does the church become lukewarm? Churches
become lukewarm by tolerating immorality in any form and by substituting
outward success for purity, righteousness and spiritual wisdom (Revelation
3:18). Churches can avoid becoming spiritually dead and the oncoming judgment
by remaining steadfast to God's Word as revealed in scripture, calling out sin
while constantly reexamining itself spiritual purity and righteousness. If a
church and or individual become spiritually lukewarm it is to repent
immediately.
The seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Which church are you, a
lukewarm church or one that is spiritually on fire for Christ.
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