Praying The Letters In Revelation
These seven messages to the churches are full of commendation, reproofs, warnings and promises. Here is how they guide us in our prayers.
The seven letters written to the seven churches found in Revelation 2-3 are reminders today that the journey of salvation and spiritual growth is full of trials and problems.
These messages to the churches are a plumbline for us to examine our current spiritual condition. In them, we are reminded of Christ’s authority and Who He is; we are commended, but told His grievances; and there are warnings, as well as promises of rewards to those who overcome.
We will briefly outline the letters and look at how we can use these as a guide for intercession for His Church.
The Authority
These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands...the First and the Last, who died and returned to life...the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword...the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze...the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars...the One 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...the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
The Praises:
The messages to the churches
commends their perseverance and discernment against false apostles; they have tested and exposed them as liars
brings comfort during tribulation, encouraging them to be faithful even to the point of death
acknowledges their steadfastness amidst a city where Satan dwells
provides commendation for their love, service, and patience, for they have kept Christ's command and not denied his name.
The Grievances:
But Jesus criticized the churches
for forsaking their first love
for tolerating ungodly teachings, which lead believers into idolatry and immorality
for tolerating a false prophetess (Jezebel) who misled believers into sexual immorality, and eating food sacrificed to idols
and for having a reputation of being alive, but really being dead spiritually.
The Warnings:
Jesus calls them
to repent and return to their initial devotion or risk losing their place in His kingdom
to repentance
to wake up and strengthen what remains before it dies
to be earnest and repent
to buy gold refined in the fire (wealth in Christ), white garments (righteousness), and salve for their eyes (spiritual sight)
The Promises:
Jesus promises
the crown of life to those who overcome and assures them they will not be harmed by the second death
authority over nations and the morning star to those who overcome and hold fast
hidden manna and a white stone to those who overcome
those who haven't soiled their clothes will be clothed in white, a symbol of purity and victory
the overcomers will become a pillar in the temple of God, with the names of God, the city of God, and Christ's new name written on them
those who overcome will be given the promise of sitting with Christ on his throne.
These seven letters are a continuous reminder to The Church to examine our spiritual maturity, of being fully assured in the will of God as faithful, humble, obedient servants.
We must shun complacency, live righteously, and persevere in our faith. Let's take heed of the messages to the churches, for these are not just historical lessons but timely exhortations for our lives today. It is the overcomers, those who faithfully endure, who will enjoy the ultimate promise of sharing Christ's victory and His throne. 1
How We Pray From These Letters
We can pray to our Father today as intercessors for His Church, thanking Him for Jesus, the One who died and rose again. We praise Him as each of the seven descriptions of the messages.
We can acknowledge He has made us to be faithful, persevering, steadfast, not following false prophets, and keep His commands, etc.
We can admit we’ve fallen away into idolatry, adultery, complacency, and the like. We can recognize our faithlessness, for losing our first love and tolerating what is evil.
We can repent in earnest of any wrong belief, every wrong behavior, and pray for gold refined by fire.
We can ask He grant us grace and help to overcome, and to fulfill the promises to His own people of a crown of life, authority, hidden manna, white garments, etc.
As intercessors for the People of God, we pray the Word of God, that we’d be mature in all the Will of God. Let us pray, therefore, that all His followers hear and heed these seven letters with their praises and warnings; pray with repentance, and thanksgiving for His great grace; and ask that He who began and good work in us would see it to completion.
Until Thursday, grace and peace…
https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/revelation/3.htm
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