In the book of Revelation from chapter 2 to chapter 3 there are seven churches; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira , Sardis , Philadelphia and Laodicea. These seven churches represent the church through time from the first century until today. Ephesus was the church of the Apostolic era that lost its first love and suffered decline in number. Smyrna was heavily persecuted by both Jews and Rome but under this persecution endured and is only one of two of these seven churches that Christ found no fault with. Pergamos began to compromise with worldly religions committing acts against Yahweh and Christ, they were warned to repent, Thyatira went even deeper into corruption and will suffer greatly but the last years of this church did improve, Sardis is the dead church and are warned by Jesus to strengthen the truth that remained and remember the things the Holy Spirit taught them but only a few were worthy to walk with Christ, Philadelphia church is the faithful church that exists near the time of the second advent. They have been given an open door no man can shut which is divine revelation of the truth of Yahweh. At the return Christ will make their enemies worship them. They will be protected by Yahweh during the tribulation. Along with Smyrna there was no fault found in them, Laodicea is neither cold nor hot. They have been focused on Earthly riches at the expense of heavenly. They will suffer martyrdom during the tribulation. These seven churches were long ago in what is today modern Turkey. Over time since Pentecost, with the exception of Smyrna, the church suffered spiritual decline until the Philadelphia church which is contemporary with Laodicea a problem church. All these churches were told to overcome, to hear what the spirit of Yahweh says to the churches. Today the Philadelphia and Laodicea churches are both present. The call of Yahweh to come out of the worldly ways to repent, to overcome and hear the spirit is happening now. What are we bothering ourselves with, what are we doing, have we come out of the world and it’s ways, are we growing are we faithful, are we cold or hot. The door is open, the way has been made. The choice is ours.
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