Seven Letters That Say a Lot to You

By Stephen Leonard

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 28, 3:6,13, 22, repeated seven times over!

A most loved disciple of Jesus penned seven letters to seven churches at the end of the First Century. He wrote exactly what the Spirit of God told him to say. Those seven churches represent all churches up to the present day (seven means completeness). If you consider yourself a member of the universal church, these letters are what you need to hear!

They would not make up the whole 2nd and 3rd chapter of Revelation if they were not critically important to you! Their commanded admonitions are vital to your own eternal reward. You must not turn a deaf ear to them!

The words of directions are really few. They are repeated in the letters for full effect. They are intended for a variety of people and sins. They speak to specific trials and situations. It says to use your ears, listen! “He who has an ear, let him hear!”

They speak to some fairly faithful churches and to some not so faithful churches. The variety covers the gamut. But they are addressed to some who have at least a spark of life in them, and to others with a lot more life.

The commands direct a continual attitude of repentance in your inner being, seeing we all are sinners. They encourage a faithfulness to Jesus and His Word, despite and in the face of persecution for really believing and living out your life for Jesus’ commands. It points you to the goal of conquering your temptations, overcoming the trials and tests to your heart and mind by the wiles of Satan; that is, the world, your flesh, and the devil.

The resulting promise for seeking, striving, and winning by grace this battle of faithfulness to Jesus, despite your stumbling, is receiving the crown of life! It is the promise of freedom from “the second death”; the gifts of eternal life, receiving a new name, gaining the Morning Star, experiencing union with Jesus in ruling, and attaining all privileges of being bound to Jesus, the conquering Savior; these are yours!

You may not understand all that is promised to you by being “found in Him,” but the alternative you do not even want to imagine. Do not “give in” to lazy ignorance, or a lack of interest, or an unwillingness to study God’s Word. “Study to show yourself approved!”

Simply turning a deaf ear does not gain you entrance as “an expected mercy” of a merciful God, taken for granted. If you have ears, use them, God tells you. Truly listen to what He has to say. Pay attention to each of these seven letters. They are most assuredly meant for you!

Encouragement

“O send thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me, that He may touch mine eyes and make me see; show me the truth concealed within Thy Word, and in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.”

(4th verse of Mary Lathbury’s hymn, “Break Thou the Bread of Life,” 1877)