The Most Important Events in the world

The church of Jesus Christ in Asia Minor was in great trouble because the Roman Caesar, who then ruled, wanted to make a god of himself in the eyes of his people. He called himself officially the lord god. He considered his palace a holy place, and his throne, a chair of the gods. Wherever he went with his golden crown, it was expected that all the people should greet him with applause and shouts of joy.

But the Christians did not share in the applause for Caesar. They refused to give glory to him as a god. From the apostles of Jesus Christ, they had learned that glory, majesty, dominion, and power belong to our God and Saviour - who alone is wise - both now and forever (Jude 25).

Caesar was very angry at how the Christians regarded him and his authority. So he began thinking of ways to rid himself of them, for their number was increasing rapidly.

At first, he ordered the arrest of John, an aged apostle of Jesus and the leader of the Christian churches in Asia. Then he banished John to the desolate island of Patmos in the Mediterranean Sea. Caesar did many other things that caused Christians lots of suffering. He had them attacked openly, terrorised, and killed. This persecution led some members of the church to betray their brothers and sisters in the faith. But those who remained loyal to Christ and the church learned how to endure hardships together and to stand firm in their faith.

The Apostle John was banished for being an influential man among the Christians and for witnessing about Christ. But Caesar failed to reach his goal, though he had sent the aged apostle away.

One Sunday, the Day of the Lord, as the followers of Jesus were gathering to remember His resurrection and dominion, Jesus appeared to His disciple John and spoke in a thundering voice as loud as many trumpets: I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

So John began to write to the seven churches. The number 7 in the book of Revelation has great significance and symbolic importance. It represents fullness, completion, and perfection.

The book of Revelation tells us about seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. The seven churches represent all the Christian churches of the world.

Have you realised that Jesus' message to the seven churches is also directed to you? In this chapter, Jesus says seven times, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

John recorded all that the risen Christ had said about the different churches. The words of Christ were like a mirror; they reflected the condition of each church. Jesus gave direct advice to believers through these messages.

Concerning the church in Ephesus, Jesus mentioned its good points, saying: I know your deeds, your toil, and your perseverance. You have never been sluggish in your ministry, and you are awaiting My second coming.

But after this praise, He then showed them their spiritual shortcomings: You have left your first love. All our deeds, whether in the church or in our daily lives, will be fruitless if they are not based on love for Jesus Christ and dependence on Him.

What can we do when we realise we have left our first love? First, we are to go back, according to the Word of God: Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Second, we repent: Whatever you are doing, put your whole heart into it, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for men(Colossians 3:23).

The Word of God calls our attention to repentance and all that goes along with it. Without repentance, all our words and deeds will be in vain. Jesus said, If you don't repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp from its place. It is not without reason that we have been saved. Sin is destructive, and it is terrible to fall into the hands of a holy God. Whoever takes the Word of God seriously and overcomes sin will have eternal life and full fellowship with Jesus Christ in eternal glory. That person will eat the fruit of the Tree of Life in paradise.

Jesus addressed the church in the city of Smyrna, a prosperous commercial seaport. According to reports, Smyrna was a most beautiful and wealthy city in ancient times. Its inhabitants led lives of luxury. Yet Jesus knew His followers in that city - their needs, problems, and poverty, and how they endured the cruses and rejections from those living around them. He was fully aware of the situation they were in, for He Himself had experienced these same things. In spite of all the hardships, the church in Smyrna remained faithful and steadfast to the Lord.

There is a great similarity between the hardships the church of Smyrna experienced and those which Christ encountered: suffering, poverty, ridicule.

What else could the church expect? They experienced imprisonment, continued persecution, and tribulation. But why all this? The answer is written: …that you will be tested …'that your faithfulness maybe proved. This is the aim of suffering; however, God has set a limit to it.

Jesus says to His church, Fear not. The church - including every committed believer - should follow the footsteps of Christ, having a genuine fellowship with Him - even in difficult circumstances and pain. So don't panic. Be a faithful witness even unto death, for the Lord Himself promises you: I will give you the crown of life and eternal life. There will be no more death.

Pergamum was one of the most famous cities in Asia Minor where parchment scrolls were made. One of the prominent features in the city was the temple of Esculapius, the Greco-Roman god of medicine. This temple is considered to be the most ancient temple of Caesar, among other pagan temples.

Jesus said to his church in Pergamum: I am fully aware of your deeds; I know where you live, it is the place where Satan has his throne. In spite of the darkness of the devil around them, the believers exalted the name of Jesus and did not deny their faith. Nevertheless, Jesus expressed His disapproval of their behaviour. They ate food that had been sacrificed to idols and committed immorality in the pagan temples. Thus, the faithfulness and witness of the church was endangered. Repentance and complete separation from any mixture with other religions are the main requirements for being true followers of Christ.

The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire,sent a message to the church in Thyatira that we can also learn from. Jesus Christ knew the love, work, faithfulness, and patient endurance of these people. The church activity increased and everything seemed to be going well outwardly.

But Jesus had a major complaint against this church. The believers had left the true teachings of the Word of God and had gone astray, following the teachings of men and the powers of darkness. Many believers are tempted by false prophets and are led into great sins, such as immorality and idolatry. Accepting or even compromising with false religions is a big mistake.

Remain loyal to the true teachings of Jesus until He returns!

As for the church in Sardis, it had a good reputation, but it was a deceptive one, for in God's eyes, the church was spiritually dead.

But Jesus did not abandon this church! He called to His followers, Wake up, rise up, encourage others, remember what you have heard and taken from Me and repent.

Stay alert and watchful; Jesus will come like a thief in the night. Are you ready to meet Him? Only he who has been washed from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ is a real Christians in the eyes of God – he whose name has been written in the Book of Life.

Are you a true Christian, born again of the Spirit?

The church of Philadelphia was much like the one in Smyrna. It was characterised by weakness, but it held onto the Word of God faithfully. The church of Smyrna boldly proclaimed the name of the Lord wherever backsliding was common. It had been given a blessed, open door in the field of evangelism. Because its members held strong to the teachings of Christ, He promised to help them in the hour of temptation which was to come upon the whole world. As a result, they would withstand all temptations and receive the crown of victory - the badge of honour reserved for them in heaven. These victors will stay in the house of their God, serving Him forever.

If you allow your weakness to be united with Jesus' strength, you will be given authority to serve the Lord.

I know your deeds. You are neither cold nor hot. How I wish that you were cold or hot! But since you are lukewarm, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.These are shocking words from the Lord Jesus to the church in Laodicea. There are many benefits from hot or cold water, but who is refreshed by lukewarm water?

This church said: I am rich and have become wealthy, and I need nothing, but Jesus said, Do you not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked? Have you also given yourself over to deception, dear reader?

Jesus does not want the sinner to die, but to live. That's why He cares for His church and advises its members: Buy gold from Me. Gold is a symbol of spiritual richness.

Buy white clothing from Me.Through His death, Jesus offers you cleansing and salvation. Though your sins are scarlet, they may become white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).

Anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see.Spiritual blindness is the cause of misery and nakedness, so repent wholeheartedly!

Jesus also said: I am now standing at the door, knocking. If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door, I will be his guest and feast with him, and he with Me.

Have you opened the door of your heart to Jesus?