Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Revelation 3:20-22
As we think back on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, we should note these congregations were facing a variety of challenges. Some were healthy and growing, while some were in a crisis and others were almost dead.
Each letter contained Jesus’ evaluation of the church, usually a diagnosis of something that was lacking, a prescription of how to respond, and an encouraging prognosis for restoration.
Near the end of Revelation, we read about how God will make all things right in this world:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:3,4
In the book of Genesis, we read about a world fallen into sin. Because of disobedience and sin, we lost precious blessings. But through the promises to the seven churches of Revelation, all is perfectly restored!
- The tree of life (Gen 3:22)
- Everlasting death (Gen 2:17)
- Working for Bread (Gen 3:19)
- Dominion lost (3:24)
- Naked (Gen 3:7)
- Driven from God (3:23)
- Restored tree (Rev 2:7)
- Victory over death (Rev 2:11)
- Hidden Manna (Rev 2:17)
- Dominion restored (Rev 2:26)
- Clothed in white (Rev 3:5)
- No more separation (Rev 3:12)
If you haven’t done so, take a few minutes today to read the first three chapters of Revelation and consider what God might be challenging you with today.
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