May 12: THE SEVEN LETTERS IN RETROSPECT (part 1)

The apostle John had turned to see the voice that spoke with [him]…and he saw Jesus walking in the midst of the seven lampstands…holding in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword… Revelation 1:12a, 13a,16a

The risen Christ would have each of us to understand that He has not abandoned His church, for He walks in the midst of the seven lampstands, symbol of the churches. Before He ascended into heaven, He said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

Jesus holds in His right hand seven stars, the pastors of the churches, having admonished them that their position is crucial for the well-being of His flock. The Savior is patiently working with fallen humans in a broken world, giving them all of the divine instructions needed to navigate this brief, earthly life. Any time that the sins and flaws of the church are observed by those outside of the church, there will be onlookers who will latch on to this as their excuse to reject God. Paul said as much to the Jews of his day (Romans 2:24 – see also Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:22).

The messages of the risen, glorified Christ to the churches were presented in illustrative language that could be readily understood. Even the introductions of Himself in each letter indicated His perfect capability to meet their unique needs. As He continued each address, He employed historical events and Old Testament scenarios, as well as things from their everyday life. Every word of these brief addresses had significance in that their daily realities—the particulars of their circumstances—were in need of transformation. Jesus had full knowledge of every aspect of their problems, and out of His mouth He succinctly provided the solutions needed.

In addition to the introductions of Himself to each church, He made it clear that all of the churches were to hear every letter. This is evident by the way He began the closing of each one: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Having faithfully fulfilled—to the very last moment—His prophetic seventy weeks promise to the Jewish nation (Daniel 9:24), the 490 years came to a close as the national leaders stopped their ears. Although they had for millennia been the guardians of God’s word, they did not want to hear the message of salvation, as conceived in the mind of God and laid out in the Scriptures. Instead, they had developed their own ideas about how it was to play out. The sad result was a public rejection of the Savior by the united leaders of the Jews, and persecution of God’s messenger. Oh, beloved, when the sharp two-edged sword cuts to your heart, allow it to perform its divine work!

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at [Stephen] with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. Acts 7:57-58a