Warning Love and Judgement: What Jesus said to the Churches

 Jesus' Messages to the Seven Churches: Warnings, Love, and Judgment

If Jesus wrote a letter to your church today, what would He say? Will He commend your love or warn you about drifting away? Join host Erica from 'Where is Your Voice Ministries' as she delves into the messages Jesus sent to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. Discover what Jesus said to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, and learn the timeless lessons each message holds. Are we listening to His words? Let's explore how we can be faithful, avoid compromise, and truly follow His path. Key takeaways include the importance of love, faithfulness in suffering, rejection of compromise, and passionate dependence on Jesus. #Revelation #SevenChurches #JesusWords #Faithfulness #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #NewTestament #BiblicalTeaching #ChristianFaith #ChurchHistory #SpiritualGrowth #ScriptureStudy #EndTimes #Repentance #JesusChrist #GodsMessage #BibleLessons #BiblicalTruths #Overcome #ChurchLeadership

00:00 Introduction: What Would Jesus Say?

01:11 Ephesus: The Loveless Church

03:48 Smyrna: The Persecuted Church

06:15 Pergamum: The Compromising Church

09:03 Thyatira: The Corrupt Church

12:33 Sardis: The Dead Church

15:21 Philadelphia: The Faithful Church

18:34 Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

21:55 Conclusion: Are We Listening? 

Information provided came from the Bible and Kay Author Book Behold Jesus is Coming 

Transcript

Warnings, love and Judgment: What Jesus said to the churches
===

[00:00:00] 


Introduction: What Would Jesus Say?
---

If Jesus wrote a letter to your church today, what would he say? Will he commend your love or warn you that you're drifting away? Will he celebrate your faithfulness or call out hidden compromise? In the Book of Revelation, Jesus speaks directly to the seven real churches. Offering warning, love, judgment, and incredible promises.

Today we're diving into these messages and asking ourself the question, are we listening? Before I jump in, my name is Erica and welcome to Where is Your Voice Ministries podcast. Today's episode is warnings, love and judgment. What Jesus said to the churches. The seven churches that Jesus spoke to in Revelations are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thara, [00:01:00] Sardis, Philadelphia, and Leocia.

But please know. That you are the church because the church is in you. 


Message to the Church of Ephesus
---

The first church Jesus spoke to in Revelation is Ephesus, starting in Revelation chapter two, verse one through seven. Ephesus was the chief port of Asia and on a key highway that led to several major cities, it was well connected with the outside world.

The Port City was also home of numerous Roman temples where many cults flourished. The church was under a lot of pressure to conform to idolatrous ways of these cults. Also, since it was an accessible location, it was exposed to many traditions from passing visitors. Jesus describes himself to this church in Revelation chapter two, verse one [00:02:00] as the words of him who hosts the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven Lampstands, Jesus accommodation and Revelation chapter two.

Verse two through three and six is, I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and found them to be false. I know your enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake and have not grown weary, but I, but.

You have this in your favor. You hate the practice of the Galatians, which I also hate Jesus Reproof in Revelation chapter two, verse four is, I hope this against you. You have forsaken the love that you had at first. Then Jesus warns and instructs [00:03:00] them in Revelation chapter two, verse five, consider how far you have fallen, repent, and do the things you did.

At first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from his place. Then Jesus promised to the overcomers in Revelation chapter two, verse seven. Whoever has a ear, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches, to the one who is victorious. I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is the Paradise of God lesson that you can take from Ephesians is good works means nothing Without deep love for Jesus, .

We can be busy for God, but distant from God. So how do we stay faithful when life gets hard? 


Message to the Church of Smyrna
---

Let's look at Smyrna. The city of Smyrna was so heavily dominated by Roman emperor worship. It was a no brainer that every citizen [00:04:00] openly worshiped the emperor through the voluntary acts of burning and sent to Caesar.

If they didn't comply with that worship, they would be sentenced to death. Poly carb is a shiny example of one who was faithful unto death as he was burned at the stake Then. Stabbed after engulfed with fire for refusing to deny God and agree to Romans law. The believers in Smyrna were under extreme pressure to conform to the Roman Empire.

Jesus describes himself to the Church of Smyrna in Revelation chapter two, verse A as stating these are the words of him. Who is the first and the last who died and came to life again? Jesus' accommodation in Revelation chapter two, verse nine. Is, I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are rich.

I know about the slander of those who say there are Jews [00:05:00] and they are not, but our Senegal of Satan, Jesus doesn't have a reproof for the church of my what Says a lot about this church and Jesus. Jesus does warn and instruct them in Revelation chapter two, verse 10 stating, do not be afraid what you are about to suffer.

I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you and you will suffer persecution for 10 days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the life as your victor's crown. Then Jesus promise to the overcomers. In Revelation two, verse 11, whoever has a ear let them hear what the spirit says to the churches.

The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. A lesson you can take from the Church of Smyrna is [00:06:00] faithfulness sometimes means walking through suffering, but Jesus promised eternal life that is free of suffering forever. What happens when churches let compromise slip in?


Message to the Church of Pergamum
---

Let's look at Pergamum. Pergamum was not only considered an intellectual center since it was the first city of its day to erect a temple to an emperor of Rome. It was also a progressive city. It had a library with 200,000 books second to the large library in Alexandria. Pergamon was home to the statue of Zeus, a center for pagan worship.

People flocked to the festivals, held at the temples, and ate food, offered to idols, and engaged in a lot of sex. The core of the city started to slip away as. Satan Stronghold grew pressure to [00:07:00] conform to the worship of Roman and Greek ways weighed heavy on the church. Jesus describes himself to the Church of Pergamum in Revelation chapter two, verse 12 by stating.

These are the words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword. Jesus commends them in Revelation chapter two, verse 13 by saying, I know where you live, where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me. Not even the days of Antipas, my fable witness who was put to death in your city where Satan lives.

Jesus reproof. In Revelation chapter two, verse 14 says, nonetheless, I have a few things against you. There are some among you who hold to the teaching of baalam, who taught Baal to entice the Israelites to sin so they ate food, sacrifice the [00:08:00] idols, and committed sexual immorality. Then Jesus warning and instructions in Revelation chapter two, verse 15 through 16.

Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the repent. Therefore, otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Then Jesus promised to the overcomers. In Revelation chapter two, verse 17 says, whoever has a ear, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches.

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of them hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it. Known only to the one who receives it. A lesson that you can take from pergamum. Standing strong in a wicked culture means rejecting compromise even when it cost us.

Compromise can be deadly if it's spread. [00:09:00] Dietary shows us how diet. 


Message to the Church of Thyatira
---

It was a city that had many skilled craftsmen. The power of the guilds lays in their ability to forge the most beautiful and intricate articles from brass and other materials, and their work monopolized the market. Their items were prominent in trade circles and were the centerpiece of much of the idol worship in the pagan temples.

Because of the dominance the guild enjoyed, much Craftmen will wanna be a part of this group. Since the guild made a lot of money from selling instruments to temples, they became active in idol worship. Since that's how they made their money, it relied on item worship. So in order to protect their income, they put a lot of pressure on the church and efforts to get them to conform or compromise their belief.

[00:10:00] Jesus describes himself to the Church of Dietary. In Revelation chapter two, verse 18, by stating these are the words of the son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnish bronze. Jesus commend them in Revelation chapter two, verse 19 by stating, I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Jesus reproof of this church in Revelation chapter two, verse 20 through 23. Nonetheless, I have this against you. You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who caused herself a prophet by her teaching. She misleads my servants and to sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrifice to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

I will cast her on a bed of suffering [00:11:00] and I'll make those who commit adultery will her suffer intensely. Unless they repent of their ways, I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Jesus warning and obstructions in Revelation chapter two, verse 24 through Now, I say to the rest of you in thi. To you who do not hold onto her teachings and have not learned Satan so-called deep secrets. I will not impose any other burden on you except to hold onto what you have until I come.

Then Jesus promised to the overcomers in Revelation chapter two, verse 26 through 29. To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. That one will rule them with the iron scepter and [00:12:00] will dash them to pieces like pottery. Just have, just as I have received authority from my father, I will also give the one, the morning star, whoever has a ear, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches.

A lesson that you can take from thi. Love and good deeds must be partnered with truth or L's. Deception will take root, but sometimes the problem is in deception is death. Death. 


Message to the Church of Sardis
---

Let's see what Jesus says to Sardis. Sardis, the chief city of Lydia Sardis was located in the junction of the royal highway's linking Ephesus, Pergamum, and Smyrna with the interior of Asia Minor and was situated above the valley, among impregnable cliff.

The city was famous for its thriving, dying, and [00:13:00] wool industries and for arts and craft. Sardis became the first center to mint gold and silver cones. Its early prosperity became a by word for wealth. Although the city was protected by evasion from natural surroundings, it was conquered in 546 BC by army scaling the cliff under the cover of darkness.

The same tactics led to a second fall. In 214 bc the city didn't learn from its past mistakes. Jesus describes himself to the Church of Sardis in Revelation chapter three, verse one, stating these are the words who hold the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Jesus doesn't give them any commendation like he does with the other churches.

He just states in Revelation chapter three, verse four. [00:14:00] Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me dressed in white for they are worthy. Jesus. Warning and instructions to Sardis is in Revelation chapter three, verse two through three. Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die for.

I have found your Ds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard. Hold it fast and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a. Thief and you do not know what time I will come. Jesus promised to the overcomers in Revelation chapter three, verse five through six.

The one who is victorious like them, be dressed in white. I will never blo out their name of that person from the Book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my father and his angels, whoever has ears, let them hear what the spirit says to the [00:15:00] churches. A lesson you can take from Sardis is a good reputation means nothing if the heart is dead.

Real life in Christ matters more than image. In contrast, one church shows us what it means to stay faithful. 


Message to the Church of Philadelphia
---

That's Philadelphia. Since the Greek word for brotherly love is Philadelphia. It is believed that Philadelphia was named by its founder who chose this name for the city to commemorate his love for his brother.

The district was in an area of vine growing and wine production, and a city for the worship of nces. The God of wine and fertility. Religious festivals and games were an integral part of . Culture. The district set on a broad, low, [00:16:00] easily defended hill, but its location was also subject to earthquakes, which is how it was destroyed.

In a D 17 Tiberius offered relief for the area and rebuilt the city, voluntary and renamed it na. Jesus described himself to the Church of Philadelphia in Revelation chapter three, verse seven, stating these are the words of him who is holy and true. Who holds the key of David? What he opens No one can shut and what he shuts, no one can open.

Jesus commends them in Revelation chapter three, verse eight through 10 saying. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have a little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are the Senegal of [00:17:00] Satan who claim to be Jews, though they are not, but are liars.

I will make them come fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you since you have kept my command to endure patiently. I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is coming to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Jesus does not give a reproof for this church only encouragement, which says a lot about this church and Jesus.

Jesus warns and instructs them in Revelation chapter three, verse 11 stating, I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. Then Jesus promised to the overcomers in Revelation chapter three, verse 12 through 13. The one who is victorious, I will make a pillar in the temple of God.

Never [00:18:00] again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name, whoever has a ear, let them hear what the spirit says to the churches. Lesson you can take from Philadelphia is faithfulness.

Even when you have little strength means more to God. 


Message to the Church of Laodicea
---

Finally, the church that breaks Jesus' heart lay the chief setting of the wealthy preference. And situated on the major East West trade route OD Dia had a large number of banks. The city was known for its wealth. Closed [00:19:00] carpets woven from rich, glossy black wool raised in its valley.

The city was home to a medical school, which produced eye als, but the city lacked one vital resource, and that's water. Water was piped to the area from Hot Springs, much further south, and arrived lukewarm after traveling the distance in stone pipes, 

When destroyed by an earthquake in a D 60, the city could afford to deny aid from Nero and 

Reconstructed itself from its storehouse of wealth.

Jesus describes himself to the Church of Esia in Revelation chapter three, verse 14. These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Jesus doesn't commend [00:20:00] anything about this church. Ouch. Jesus Reproof is stated in Revelation chapter three, verse 15 through 18.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other, so because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich, I have acquired wealth, and I do not need a. Thing, but do you not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked?

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear. So you can cover your shameful nakedness and sve to put on your eyes so you can see. Jesus warns and instructs them in Revelation chapter three, verse 19 through 20. [00:21:00] By stating those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.

So be earnest and repent. Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person as they with me. Jesus promised to the overcomers in Revelation chapter three, verse 21 through 22. To the one who is victorious. I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and sat down with my father on his throne.

Whoever has ears let them hear what the spirit says to the churches. So a lesson you can take from this church is comfort and self-sufficiency. Kill spiritual fire. Jesus is calling us back to passionate dependence on him. 


Conclusion and Prayer
---

, every church Jesus spoke to had a choice.

Some listened, [00:22:00] some heart in their hearts, but the ones who listened, the ones who overcame, were giving promises greater than they could imagine. Today, Jesus is still speaking. He still warning, he's still loving. He's still caring. He's still calling his people back to himself. The question isn't, is he speaking?

The question is, are we listening? Let's be honest. Let's be people who listen. Let's be the church that overcome. So I hope you learned a lot from those churches. And before I go, I'm gonna go ahead and pray. So, Lord, we come to you in the name of Jesus. Lord, asking right now, Lord, that you open up our ears.

God, you open up our eyes so we can see, Lord, the Hes in our own ways, God. 'cause we wanna overcome as well. Lord, we wanna wear white with you as well. Lord, we wanna stone as [00:23:00] well. Lord, we wanna crown as well. Lord, we wanna be the. Victorious God. So we wanna make sure that we are walking aligned for your good purpose and will.

And that we're not just doing things for show, but we're actually doing it out of love in the way that you order us to do what God. And if there's anything we have been doing wrong, Lord, we wanna repent now God, and start over fresh so we can be victorious and rely on you. Who we know will help us. In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen. All right. Thank you so much for tuning in.