“The Time is at Hand!” ~ Church of Smyrna

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; He that Overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  ~ Rev. 2:11 “Fear none of those things!”

As we enter the Book of Revelation once more we hear these Words: “The Time is at Hand.” God’s timing is perfect, and we see He is sending Jesus to visit the Churches. First, that we might renew our Love, strengthen our love and be mindful that it is a command written in scripture that we “should love the Lord our God with everything within us. Second, now hear Jesus say “Fear None of These Things!” Today we explore the Church at Symrna. It was a rich city in Turkey, now called Ismir. It is about 50 miles from Ephesus and on the Aegean Sea. In Each Church we will be reminded “The Time is at hand”  --for spiritual growth in the Body of Christ, for preparation for His coming, and to Overcome! At Symrna there is no reprimand, but a very strong warning. As we enter the Church at Symrna we hear Jesus identify Himself. He is the first and the last, was dead and is alive; The Lord always sees the work we do for Him. The witness we are for Him. The good and “right” things we accomplish … we must never forget He also sees our tribulation:---something that causes great trouble or suffering in our life. And when there is lack, He also sees our headships. We know these things but when trouble knocks at our door we need to be reminded that God sees everything! Again we know this, but tend to forget and stress/anxiety tries to enter into our mind. Poverty is mentioned, but then He says “Thou are Rich!” It is good for us to see our Salvation as wealth, wealth for our soul, and wealth for Eternal Life! Symrna, while there is no rebuke from the Lord, there is great demoniac activity trying to disrupt the saints in this Church. Perhaps we get a glimpse of this even in our day. Jesus uses strong Words as he declares there is a group in the Church who professes Jewism, but is of the synagogue of satan. There are many professions in the Church at large today, but all are not from God. Then this striking statement comes forth – “Fear None of Those Things!” What things? Vs10 of Rev. 2 “…Things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” There is no more explanation – “He that hath an ear, let him Hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; Overcoming, Faithfulness will bring a Crown of Life!  Loving You  ~Pastor                                     

“The Time is at Hand!” ~ Church of Pergamos

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches;

How awesome to hear the Lord Jesus say … “Thou Holdest Fast My Name!” This would be even in martyrdom! This is the second Church so far to hear of a pastor being martyred. History believes that Antipas, the martyred one, was the pastor of the Church at Pergamos. And he was put to death by being placed in a burning brazen bull. Suffering was a great part of Church in those days. For the Christ they served they were willing to die. It reminds me of our beloved scripture in Rev,12:11 “They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”  It is believed that this Church was the headquarters of satan; for it says “even where satan’s seat is:” but what is so powerful is: the next statement of Jesus is: “Thou Holdest Fast My Name!” I had to stop here and meditate a while, can the Church hold fast is such a crisis? We are in a Crisis at the moment, and think how it has devastated the lives of God’s people and even Church leaders. It is not in any way to be compared with the crisis of these Churches and their suffering. We know martyrdom is rampant in the nations and there is strive, heartache, murder, disrespect for human life in our own streets … The time of the Lord is at hand – time for repentance, time to shun evil, time to have a testimony of Christ in our life … Time to strengthen our worship!  Jesus commended Pergamos of their works, holding fast to Christ’s name, and not denying the faith. Christ identifies Himself to the Church has One Who hath the sharp sword with two edges. In most of these Churches Jesus cuts into their heart with praise and then is the same cases He cuts into their lives with… “I have a few things against thee.”  I thought how many times we might just walk away when the Christ in us should be revealed… or with loved ones, when they need to be enlightened of their wicked ways. We must be aware of the doctrine of Balaam, lest we be a stumbling block in someone’s life, that sincerely needs to see Jesus in us. Jesus cries out “overcome – repent.” He promises hidden manna and a white stone! Loving you, Pastor

“The Time is at Hand!” ~ Church of Ephesus

Jer. 22:29 “O Earth, Earth, Earth, hear the Word of the Lord.”

Twice in the Book of Revelation we hear these Words: “The Time is at Hand.” It is sincerely “time” to evaluate our Love for the Lord as we explore the Church of Ephesus. In Each Church we will see “The Time is at hand” for Spiritual growth in the Body of Christ. As John turns to see the voice that is speaking to Him, He envisions the Alpha & Omega {Jesus} standing in the midst of seven candlesticks. Seven is important, for it spiritually says “whole” ~ could it mean these are Messages to the “Whole Church,” yes, even to the Churches of this very day! He holds seven stars in Has hands and out of His mouth went a two-edged sword: The Word of God is still going forth to those who will have an “ear to hear what the Spirit will say.” John hears these Words – “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter!” Here we see the weaknesses of the Church, the things which are – in each Church, and then the things that shall be hereafter – The Things which are concerns the Church then and now as we wait for the Rapture.  The Candlesticks represents the Churches and the stars are the angels, messengers, ultimately pastors.  Our text today comes from Rev. 2:1-3 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;² I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ³ And has patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. It appears this is a good Church, they had works, labour, patience, against evil, they endured, they did not faint! But something had transpired that caused Jesus to say: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee … this we will explore in the Message today. We will begin to have a greater understanding of “The Time is at Hand!” Yes, it is time to take inventory of our Spiritual lives, for sincerely it is “Spiritual things that matter” to our God, and our Saviour, such things will bring us into a greater relationship with the God of our Salvation! The first of the Seven times Jesus says … “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.” Be sure to check out what is Promised to those who will hear and overcome! I love every one of you, Pastor