Lord of the Church

Lord of the Church

Revelation 2-3

In Matthew 16, Jesus speaks of the Church for the first time. He says:

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The word translated “church” in this verse is the Greek word “ἐκκλησίαν” (ekklēsían). “Ekklesian” is a compound word meaning “to call out.” In the case of the New Testament Church, Jesus uses this word to denote a people called out of the world to Himself.  

Our English word “church” comes from the Greek word “Kurios”, which means Lord, Master, or of the Lord. Webster gives this short history of the word:

Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master

Jesus said He would build His gathering of “called out ones,” and we have come to call that the “Church,” which means “of the Lord.” I like that designation, just as I like being called “Christian,” which means “of Christ.”

In the New Testament, the Church is called the “Body of Christ” and the “Bride of Christ.” Ephesians says:

Ephesians 1:22 (NKJV) And He put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] head over all [things] to the church,

Jesus is the head of the Church, which is also stated in Ephesians 5:23.

Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

In Revelation 2 and 3, we see Jesus functioning as the head of the Church. He holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. Then as we move into chapters 2 and 3, Jesus directly addresses each church. 

The message to each church is fitted to the circumstances of that locale, but the structure of the message is similar.

First, the location is addressed with the statement, “To the angel of the church in ….”

Second, there is a statement of “The words of ….” “He who…”, the words that follow this beginning phrase are a description of Jesus taken from the vision of the first chapter of Revelation that fits the circumstances in that particular church. For example, Revelation 2 starts out:

Revelation 2:1 (NKJV) “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

Third, each message begins with the expression, “I know your works….”

Fourth each message has a commendation where Jesus affirms their positive works. However, the letters to Sardis and Laodicea have no commendation.

Fifth, each message has a condemnation where Jesus points out their particular sin. However, the letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia contain no condemnation.

Sixth, each message has a promise that begins, “He who overcomes….”

Finally, each message concludes with the statement, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

This is outlined like this:

1. To the angel of the church in…
2. The words of He who… 
3. I know your works…
4. Commendation (except Sardis and Laodicea) 
5. Condemnation (except Smyrna and Philadelphia)
6. He who overcomes…
7. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

As we read through the letters to each church, keep these elements in mind. Remember that these letters were also written for our benefit. We can look at our own lives and the life of our church and with the Lord’s help apply them to our situation.

First, let’s look at the church at Ephesus.

Revelation 2:1-7 (NKJV) 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 “Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. 5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. 6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Each of us can examine ourselves by the standard of this letter and should ask ourselves, “Have I left my first love?”

Let’s consider the church at Smyrna.

Revelation 2:8-11 (NKJV) 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and [I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. 10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

At any time, the world can turn and we could suffer persecution. Are we ready to suffer for the name of Christ?

To the church at Pergamos John wrote.

Revelation 2:12-17 (NKJV) 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne [is.] And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas [was] My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives [it.]” ’ (secret knowledge)

This church was guilty of embracing sexual immorality. Many churches in the United States have taken this stance. Have you compromised morally?

Next, to the church at Thyatira John wrote:

Revelation 2:18-29 (NKJV) 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and [as] for your works, the last [are] more than the first. 20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman (your wife) Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 “But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 “and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (divine power in life)

The problem with this church is that they accepted a false prophet, a false teacher. Each of us, along with Thyatira, must examine our own heart and doctrine against Scripture to see if we have abandoned sound doctrine.

Next, to the church in Sardis John wrote:

Revelation 3:1-6 (NKJV) 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘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. 2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 “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. 4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (complete trust in Jesus)

This is very serious. Are you pretending to have faith without having faith or the Spirit of God? Have you deceived yourself?

To the church in Philadelphia Jesus says:

Revelation 3:7-13 (NKJV) 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “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. 9 “Indeed I will make [those] of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (strength and honor)

We must pray for an open door that no one can shut, and then when God opens that door, we must go through it. What is your open door to preach the gospel? Where is the Lord working?

Finally, to the church in Laodicea, Jesus says:

Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV) 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 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. 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 “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. 21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” (sit in the very presence of Jesus)

Jesus stands at the door and knocks because these people did not believe they needed Him. We must make a habit of relying fully on Jesus.

A link to a video of this message.