Right at the beginning we have a clue as to who John is addressing his letters. He says ‘unto the angel of the Church’. The word angel means ‘the messenger’. Now NT churches do not have a single minister, let alone ‘an angel’. However the Jewish congregations that accepted Christ as the Messiah had a Chief Rabbi who led each service and he was referred to as the ‘Angelous’ the messenger. He was the presiding Rabbi. He was one of a group of overseers of the Jewish believers, v9. It is to this leader that the letters are addressed. He is representative of the elders and the whole congregation. John’s ministry is still focused on the Jewish congregations of Asia, where his ministry was based.
John writes these letters as the Prophet of God to these Jews.
(The Jews had what is called 'The leadership complex'. What this means is that when God has something to say he says it to the Religious leaders (and political if there are any) and they are expected to respond appropriately on behalf of the people that they lead. We see this in the ministry of John Christ and the Apostles and we see it here. Often when Jews are asked about why they reject Christ they will say if Jesus was the Messiah then why did the Elders reject him in his day. They trust their leaders and always assume that they do right. John addresses himself to the Leaders of each Jewish/Christian congregation. He addresses issues such as their righteous works, Their relation to the synagogue of Satan and the issue of false Jews who say they are Jews but are not. And the call is consistently in the context of The Gospel of the Kingdom i.e. Repentance and a return to the God of their fathers)
His first letter is to the congregation of Ephesus. Christ commends them for their works, labour and patience and for their hatred of the Nicolaitians. However they have left their first love (himself) and therefore he calls on them to repent and return unto the Lord and ‘do the works’ in other words keep the Mosaic law because they are Jews after all. If they do not repent then the Lord will remove the candlestick. This is the token of his presence. The promise Christ gives is ‘The Tree of life’ in the Paradise of God – In the Kingdom.
To the Smyrna congregation Christ says, I know your works, tribulation and poverty (Yet they are rich towards God) He says l know the Blaspheme of those who claim to be Jews but are the synagogue of Satan! He gives specific encouragement in tribulation to those who will be imprisoned for their faith in Christ. And he promises eternal life in the Kingdom.
To the Pergamos congregation he writes that he knows their works and the evil of the place they inhabit. He even calls it Satan’s seat. However there are a few things he holds against them. They allow those who follow Balaam who caused Israel to Sin. And how that they encourage abominations causing the judgment of God to come. He commends them for their hatred of the Nicolaitians. However he tells them to repent of judgment will come. None of these terms could ever be spoken to a NT Church.
To the Thyatira Jewish congregation he writes I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. These he commends, but he warns them of allowing a prophetess Jezebel to teach and draw men into the gross sins of fornication and Idolatry. Christ himself has warned her and yet she has not repented so He will act in severe judgment and destroy her and her offspring. Those who overcome will share with Christ his rule over the Nations in the Kingdom.
All these messages were strongly Jewish in flavour and addressed to the Jewish synagogues of Asia Minor (Turkey).
To the congregation at Sardis. Christ says, I know thy works. He says this every time and is saying I know all that you do which is commendable. He says you have a name that you are alive but you are dead spiritually. He says be careful because the congregation is ready to pass away. As always the call to Israel is a call to repentance and a return to the Lord and righteous living before God. Those who are righteous will escape the judgment of God of death.
To the Philadelphian congregation Christ says, I have the key of David. I.e.The total authority of the King. He can open and shut and no man can overcome it. He says, l know thy works etc He commends them for their strength even though it is little and their determination to keep to Christ’s word. Again they are plagued by those who are false Jews. He promises to keep them safe in the time of tribulation which will come upon the whole earth. Those who overcome will be granted a position as a pillar in the temple of the Kingdom. Those who overcome will have the name of God and Jerusalem and the New Name.
To the Laodicean congregation Christ says, He knows their spiritual state. They are not hot or cold. They are self-willed self-sufficient and self-satisfied. They say they are rich, yet they are actually poor. They say they see everything, yet they are blind. If ever there were a description of the LORD’s dealings with Israel it is in these words – ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent’. To those who overcome, he promises to sit with him in the glorious Kingdom ruling with him.
Steve
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