Revelation 1 - 3: Believers' Guide

According to the book of Revelation there are seven churches that exist between the time of the first coming of the Messiah and the second.  The same seven churches exist concurrently at the present time. Individual believers are a church in themselves so the words of Revelation Chapter 1 are also a mirror to the believers as a check before the second return of the Lord which is sure.

The books reminds more the teachers and second the believers that their sin has been erased by the blood of Jesus but Jesus himself has some few final refinements that He requires of them.

To first believers

Jesus talks to are very hard working lot (in any form ministry) and they do not tolerate evil people and also are conscious  and reject false teachers  but Jesus reveals that their first love towards Him is there no more.

Jesus confirms that He has the ability to deny them their very existence in His kingdom if they do not change. 

The second form of believers

Jesus addresses are poor but spiritually rich and undergo a lot of persecution from 'religious men' who really have no place in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus encourages them not to fear suffering and to know that such religious bondage is going to last for only a time but every one of these believers who dies to self will get back life as a reward.

The third group of believers

These live in locations where there is exorbitant display of evil and persecution (probably in cities and in nations discriminating Christianity) yet they remain faithful to Christ. 

There are three things that Jesus has against them, and that is:-

1.    First they believe that those in Christ Jesus can be bewitched.

The answer is in Numbers when Balak sought Balaam to curse Israel. 

         Num 23:22 - 24

 God has brought them out of Egypt (read captivity) He fights for them like a wild ox.

There is no magic charm, no witchcraft that can be used against the nation of Israel. Now people will say about Israel, 'Look what God has done!' 

The nation of Israel is like a mighty lion: It doesn't rest until it has torn and devoured, Until it has drunk the blood of those it has killed." 

Christians are not pushovers but remember our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness.

2.    The Second is that some also teach falsely concerning ‘celibacy’ which is committing oneself to Christ but then go back into committing sexual sin.

The answer  is : -

1Co 7:8  But to the unmarried people and to the widows, I declare that it is well (good, advantageous, expedient, and wholesome) for them to remain [single] even as I do.

1Co 7:9  But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire].

Jesus asks you to change or He is going to fight you with his Word but everyone who makes effort and changes from these three will be given high status.

The forth group of believers

This is a group of good Christians who have love work and service and but operate more in faith and in patience.

What concerns Jesus, who is both visionary and well rooted, is that you are in a Church which encourages sexual immorality and idolatry and you know it but you do not take steps to move away from this church.

Jesus also has given this institution time to change but to no avail.

  

The repercussions are :-

1. Those involved in her will suffer terribly and will be brought down unless they repent.
2. Her following is going to end for God knows everyone’s thoughts and each is repaid according to their deeds. Rev 2:23

Those who do not partake in the gruesome sin of this church should embrace the knowledge they have acquired and to the over-comers there will be establishment in authority and increase in the wisdom of the knowledge of the Word of God.

They will lead in a system that is perfect; breaking all previous ideologies of governance for Jesus’ governance is true.

The fifth group of believers

This is a group of teachers and believers who have it all. They have a great name but in Christ’s eyes they are worth nothing.

Jesus is calling them into a revival. They should strengthen the little faith that they have for none of them know the time He will come for them.

But there are those who have a great name but are faithful

Those victorious will be clothed with righteousness and their names will never be removed from among the living. Jesus will introduce them to the Father and to the old prophets. Jesus will proclaim that they are his.

The sixth group of believers

These are young teachers and believers and to them Jesus says that He has the keys to kingship (which means power and authority). 

Jesus Christ knows that you are faithful but you are operating under teachers who are not truly chosen. Jesus is assuring you that you will rule over them (come to be their teachers) and they (your teachers) will come to know that God loves you. 

Because you kept Christ’s commands to endure, He will keep you safe from the trouble which is coming upon the world to test all the people on earth.

Jesus is coming soon; keep safe what you have so that no one will rob you of your victory prize.

Jesus, will make those who are victorious pillars (pioneers) in the temple of His God and they’ll never leave it. The name of God will be written on them by Jesus himself, the name of the New Jerusalem which will come down out of heaven from God and a completely new name.

The seventh group of believers

This group of believers have everything they need and they also believe that the amount of knowledge they have is sufficient for them to operate in the Kingdom of God.

They  are advised by Christ to buy true prosperity, buy true righteousness and also buy true vision.

The term ‘buy’ here means that because they bragged that they were ‘ok’ in the matters of God and need no teachers, it’ll cost them to get these truths.

The Lord usually rebukes and punishes those He loves (if you are asking why you have to buy). But hurry and turn from your sins.

Final Word

Jesus has given every believer an opportunity to welcome Him into their lives and everyone who does this will get a chance to sit in Christ’s authority sit. This means will they will rule with Christ.