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WHAT DOES JESUS THINK OF THE CHURCH

Have you ever thought of what Jesus thinks of the Church

Well can get an idea in Revelation when Jesus addresses the seven churches , Jesus object in the book of Revelation is not to conceal but to reveal (the word Revelation means “unveiling”). It is the unveiling of Jesus Christ.

READ REVELATION 1

There are three sections of the book of Revelation, that, could be described like this;

1. Things you have seen.

That is what John describes in chapter 1 as he views the resurrected and glorified Christ, who is in complete control of all that is about to happen.

Things which are.

2. Things which are.

This is a reference to the seven churches we will read about in and 3. This section not only describes seven real and functioning churches of that day, but it also gives us a chronological look a church history from the beginning right up to the present day.

3. And things that will take place after this.

These are the future events found in chapters 4 to 22. And this simple, three-point outline essentially gives us a quick flyover of the contents of the Book of Revelation.

A Special Blessing: Three Prerequisites

There is a special blessing promised in the book of Revelation for the person who reads, hears, and keeps the words of the book. No other book in the Bible promises such a blessing.

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

How the letters to the Seven Churches Speak to Us

There are three prerequisites to receive the promised blessing .

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

1. You must read it. The Greek term used here for read means to read out loud. Have you ever tried reading the Scriptures out loud in your devotion time? Sometimes the Word comes to us with more power when we hear is with our ears and also simply forms in our minds, It’s not just a matter of reading, however; it is a matter of hearing.

2. You must hear the words of prophesy. Jesus would often say, “He who has ears to hear let him hear!” If we were to read this book simply as a great work of literature, which it is, or a mere religious writing, we wouldn’t necessarily get that much out of it. But if His Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what God is saying, it can make all of the differences in the world.

3. You must keep it. The Scripture speaks of keeping the truths that are written in this book. In other words, I apply truths in my own life, my own situations, and my own daily experiences. If we do that, then this book will motivate us to live godly lives and make us ready to meet the Lord. The reason we want to learn about the future is to help us to live right in the present.

How the letters to the Seven Churches Speak to Us

They speak to us practically

Jesus wrote to actual, functioning churches of John,s day. There really were local congregations in Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Pergamos, Sardis, Laodicea, and Philadelphia. In fact, a postal route of that day would have stopped and all seven locations. Again, these were real churches filled with real believers facing real and daunting challenges.

They speak to us prophetically

Within these seven letters, many commentators through the years have seen the whole story of the church unfold, with each of the seven churches representing an era of church history. Sadly, it is more of a regression that a progression. He begins with Ephesus, where the church is in danger of leaving its first love, and end with the church of Lacodicea, where Jesus is on the outside, trying to get back in.

They Speak to us personally

These words of Jesus to the churches may also be read as personal letters to each one of us, since a Christians we are members of the church, His body.

What does this mean for Jesus Church and for us personally

New Living Translation Chapter 28

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I believe we are living in the last days and we are called to be heavenly minded to do His good work on earth! We are all called by Him to be in this world but not be of this world and not compromise in our lives and ministry that Jesus has called us to.

I believe that is God’s will for his churches in the book of Revelation and that applies to us to because we are part of the last days church of Jesus Christ. And my desire for RED is to be the church of believers that Jesus has called us to be.

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I believe that is God’s will for his churches in the book of Revelation and that applies to us to because we are part of the last days church of Jesus Christ. And my desire for RED is to be the church of believers that Jesus has called us to be.

And this is possible through the guidance of Jesus through His holy Spirit and He tells us in

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14

And over the next few weeks studying the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation we will see what Jesus thinks of the church, and desires and expects His church which includes RED Community Fellowship to be!!!

New Living Translation Chapter 14

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!