The letters to the seven churches. It’s always good to do a recap of these letters in order to provide a bird’s-eye view of the whole. Here goes . . .
Ephesus: Strong stand for the truth and endurance, but their love has grown cold.
Smyrna: Has suffered poverty and persecution, and will continue to do so. Be faithful!
Pergamum: Has held firm in a place of particular darkness, but has allowed false teachers in.
Thyatira: Characterized by love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. But tolerates Jezebel, who leads many into sexual immorality.
Sardis: Has a reputation for being alive, but is dead. Repent!
Philadelphia: Has limited strength, yet has remained faithful. Hold on!
Laodicea: Neither cold nor hot, and will be vomited out by the Lord. Receive from the Lord what is needed, and repent!
Glancing over all this, I am reminded that every church, and every person, though faithful to a degree, even a significant degree, has work to do. “Lord, show us what we need to work on in our lives, today.”
Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.
In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river. –Fanny Crosby (1869)