The book of Revelation begins by showing us a vision of Jesus as he is right now (1:12-20). He is standing in the midst of his churches (the seven lamp stands). Then he has John write a separate letter to the “angel” (Greek – messenger) of each church. In these, Jesus lets his churches know exactly what he sees in them – both the good and the bad.
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would say if he wrote a letter specifically to the Vancouver church? I have wondered. I actually think about it a lot, because the person whose opinion of the church matters the most to me is Jesus. I want and I seek input from spiritually mature and experienced leaders about where they see the church because I believe that God speaks through men and women who have spiritual wisdom. But the bottom line is this: I wish that Jesus would just send us a letter.
Instead, what we are left with is the Word of God, the Spirit who lives within us and a heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers through his Son. And so I’ve been praying: “Father give me wisdom and help me with the guidance of the Holy Spirit’s revealed word to know what Jesus thinks of his church here in Vancouver.” And so I’ve been reading and reflecting on the Word, and especially Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3. I believe these letters emphasize what is truly important to Jesus when he looks at his churches, both in the things for which he has praise and encouragement and in the things for which he has rebukes and warnings.
When I read these letters here are some things that are clear to me. First, Jesus stands in the midst of his churches and he knows exactly what is going on, not only collectively but individually. Therefore, sometimes, he addresses the whole church, when collectively they are all characterized by either righteousness or sin. But he also addresses individual disciples and small groups within the church, who stand out either for their faithfulness or for their failings. But when he does address individuals and groups, he very clearly sees them as part of the whole church. There is both an individual reality and responsibility, and there is also a collectively reality and responsibility. Jesus does not see the individual disciple as separate from the assembly of disciples (i.e., the church)
Second, I see that Jesus clearly loves and cares for his church whether they are faithful, faltering or failing. He loved the disciples in Laodicea who were lukewarm as much as he loved the church in Smyrna who were loyal under persecution. We’ve really got to get this: Jesus’ love for us is not based on our performance, for his love is truly unconditional. And because he truly loves us, he speaks the truth in order to meet spiritual needs in our lives, whether by encouragement, exhortation, correction or rebuke. All that Jesus says and does is motivated by his love for us! He always speaks the truth in love, never harshly or condescendingly, but with clarity, patience and persistence.
Third, Jesus never advises the spiritually faithful to leave those who are faltering or failing spiritually. Look at Revelation 2:24 and 3:4. These disciples were not told to quit, leave, find another church or start a new church. It is obvious that the disciples who were living faithfully needed to hang in there and continue to live in obedience to Jesus, while trusting that Jesus would deal with any and all who refused to repent! People who leave the church, often blame the church right away, and all who stay away blame the church eventually. “I couldn’t grow in that environment.” “There are too many hypocrites in the church.” “The leadership was too controlling.” “I needed to take a break.” Yet Jesus’ expectation is clear, both in these seven letters, and in all the letters we have that apostles wrote to the early churches: If you’re in sin, repent; if you’re living faithfully, persevere. But never, not once, no matter how terribly the church collectively was doing, did the Holy Spirit ever advise faithful disciples to leave or quit the church!
Fourth, just like each of the seven churches of Asia, if we are going to hear what Jesus is saying to his disciples in Vancouver, we must have “ears to hear”. And so I’m asking that we join together in prayer, both in our own times with the Father, and when we gather together and that we ask Jesus to send a clear message to us as to where we are truly at spiritually! I believe that prayer, prayed with faith and humility, will be heard and answered by God, don’t you? Ask him to open up your heart so that what the Spirit says to you, you will truly hear – whether it is encouragement or rebuke or some combination.
As we strive to move forward, we must understand what our starting point is, both individually as Jesus’ disciples and collectively as his church. I’m inviting us to come together in prayer on April 22nd! At the end of the month, you will be asked to share what you’ve heard the Spirit say with the leadership team, both to you as an individual disciple and to us as his church in Vancouver.
Finally, as I read Revelation 2-3, I see that when we have ears to hear, we shall overcome and we will be recipients of God’s great and precious promises for eternity such as eating from the tree of life, not being hurt by the second death and sitting with Jesus on his throne! Jesus wants us to know that he is in our midst. He knows what is going on in each of our lives and in our fellowship. He desires for us to be faithful unto death so that we might receive the crown of life (2:10). No matter what price we have to pay, isn’t eternity with Jesus in the presence of God, worth it?
