Hear, Consider, Learn*

"And they heard the voice of the LORD walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." Gen 3:8 God has, from the beginning, a hearing relationship with man. Adam and Eve heard the voice of God, and He heard their voices. The man and woman disobeyed the voice of the LORD, however. Hearing the voice of the LORD requires a response of obedience from us. He tells us repeatedly in the Word to "seek His face", to seek this kind of hearing relationship with Him. Jesus, in The Revelation, told His Churches to hear what the Spirit of the LORD was saying to them in the words of praise and correction that He was delivering to them to either keep them on the correct path, or to turn them back to the path where they needed to be. Many interpret The Revelation by confining it to certain times or ages. However, as Jesus began to show His Revelation to John, He made sure to describe Himself as One who was, is, and is to come; Alpha and Omega (Aleph,Tav in Hebrew; as the Beginning and the Ending; as the First and the Last; as One who lives, was dead, but was now alive for evermore. These descriptions of Himself encompass the past, present and future in their meaning. As Jesus delivered His words to the churches then, we can see that He is just as clearly speaking to the Church of today. John begins his writing of The Revelation of Jesus to him by saying: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John...Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev. 1:1-3 As Jesus spoke to each church, He spoke of their past, their present, and their future. These are the churches and the words of Jesus that John was to deliver to the messenger of each church, as recorded in Rev. 2:1-29 and Rev. 3:1-18: 1. Ephesus: The One who holds the seven stars in His hand and walks among the seven golden candlesticks commended this church for their works, their patience, and their uncompromising stand against evil for the name of Christ's sake. They have discerned and rejected false apostles. This church also hates the Nicolaitans, those who try to separate the people from a direct relationship with God, and try to rule over believers. However, Jesus sends a word of warning to this faithful church: they have left their first love. Because of this, He describes them as "fallen". He tells them to repent and return to that first love of Him that they had at the beginning, and the works that result from that first love. If they will listen to what the Spirit is saying to them, and overcome, Jesus will reward them, giving them to eat from the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God. While some associate this church of Ephesus as representing the past apostolic era of 30AD-100AD, the truth that Jesus spoke is just as applicable to the Church of today, and can be applied as such.Many churches have lost the passion of their first love for Christ. 2. Smyrna: Jesus, the first and the last, the One who was dead but now is alive, speaks to this church that is in the middle of persecution and tribulation. They are impoverished but rich in their faith. This church has been patient and long-suffering. They are situated in a place that Jesus called "the synagogue of Satan", surrounded by the blashemy of unbelief, and a persecuting religious spirit that has nothing to do with a relationship with God in Spirit and truth. If this church will hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, and continue to be faithful, even unto death, Jesus will give them a crown of life. Some associate this church with the age of persecution by the state, 100AD-300AD. The words of Christ warn the Church of today of the persecution to come, and offers comfort today to those churches across the world that currently suffer persecution. 3. Pergamos: From He who has the sharp sword with two edges, Christ tells this church that it is in "Satan's seat". Believers have been martyred in this place. This church has remained faithful to the name of Christ, and has not denied His faith. However, Jesus tells them that they have taken hold of "the doctrine of Balaam", a doctrine that sets a stumbling block to faith before the children of Israel. This church in this same false doctrine still embraces forms of idolatry, and fornication. This church also accepts the Nicolaitans, those who seek to rule over believers. Jesus warned this church to repent, and if they would hear what the Spirit was saying to the church, they would be given the hidden manna to eat, and a stone with their new name written on it. Some say that this church at Pergamos represents the age of the state-church, 300AD-590AD. However, we still have similar conditions in the church today. Christ's warnings and His urgings to repent and hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches still applies. Idolatry and sexual immorality are tolerated, and sometimes even approved in our churches today. 4. Thyatira: The Son of God commends this church's increasing level regarding works, charity, service, faith and patience. However, this church also tolerates a false prophetess, whom the Lord refers to as Jezebel, because she is falsely teaching this church to embrace idolatry and fornication. This prophetess, has been given the time and opportunity to repent by the Lord, but she has failed to do so. Unless this church repents, tribulation, and even death shall fall upon it. This is so all of the churches can know that the Lord continues to search the deepest hearts of His churches, and will bring correction of unrepented sin. For those who hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, and withstands and overcomes this sin, the Lord will give them rule over nations. He will also give them the morning star. This church has been associated with the church-state of (590AD-1517, which is the Reformation). False prophets, and false teachers inhabit the churches today, however, leading the people into error. The Apostle Peter warned that this would also be prevalent in the last days, in which we are currently living. Jezebel was associated with Ba'al worship, which required the sacrifice of children. There are churches today that support child murder, abortion, even as the Word of God calls the shedding of innocent blood an abomination before Him. 5. Sardis: The Lord, the One who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, urges this church to remain faithful and watchful. They must strengthen what remains with them. Those things, unless they are strengthened, are ready to die because of their negligence. This makes their works imperfect before the Lord. They must repent and hold fast to what they have received and heard. There are some in this church who have not defiled themselves, and walk with the Lord in white garments. If the church will overcome, they shall be clothed in white, and their names shall remain in the Book of Life. Jesus will speak their names before the Father. This church has been associated with the age of Reformation, 1517-1790. However, the same negligent condition towards the knowledge of God, and the revelations that have been received are part of the church today. The truth had been revealed to them, but they have not held those truths over the years. This makes their subsequent works imperfect, because they have neglected their foundational knowledge. 6. Philadelphia: The Holy and True One who has the key of David that sovereignly opens and shuts, told this church that an open door has been set before them. Although this church had little strength, they have kept His Word. The nature of this "open door" will cause the synagogue of Satan to acknowledge that this church is loved and approved by Christ. Because of this church's great patience in the faith, they will be kept from the temptation that will come upon the whole world. Jesus said to them, "Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." He who hears what the Spirit is saying to the churches, and overcomes will be a pillar in the temple of God. God's name, Christ's new name, and the name of His city, the New Jerusalem, will be written upon them. This church has been associated with the Missionary and Evangelism Age of the church, 1730-1900's. Is today's church still sending missionaries? Are we still effectively evangelizing with this work being confirmed with signs, wonders, and miracles? Will Christ set an open door before us because we have kept patience in the faith? 7. Laodicea: The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the First Creation of God said to this church that they were lukewarm in their faith, neither cold nor hot. This church causes Jesus to spew them out of His mouth as lukewarm water causes one to vomit. They are rich and arrogant, thinking that they lack nothing, but they are in reality "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked". The Lord tells them to buy the gold tried in the fire from Him. This church has never suffered for the fsith in any way, because they are lukewarm. The world does not find lukewarm churches a threat, nor powerful or influential, so they do not cause these churches to suffer. The Lord tells them to be zealous and repent. Though Jesus is severely correcting them, He reminds this church that if they will hear His voice, answer His knock, and open the door to Him, they will again experience communion with Him. In fact, if they will hear and overcome, Jesus will allow this church to sit on His throne with Him, as He has also overcome, and sat down with His Father. The grace, love and approval offered to this church in the circumstances is very precious and reflects the forgiving character of our Lord. This church has been associated with the modern church age, from 1900's to the present. The lukewarm condition of this church is very evident today in our churches. Will we repent, seek that gold tried in the fire, and become zealous once again in these last days? Ezekiel prophesied of the LORD's judgment, including a pestilence, to be sent upon His people (Ezek. 14:19-23). His fury will be poured out upon the people of His own city. Yet, the LORD promises, there is a remnant that shall come forth. Even though there was a judgment to suffer through, the people will see in this remnant that comes forth a valuable thing that God has produced by His judgment. It will be a comfort to the people who will see this remnant that God produced as a special work, even as the result of judgment. *The above is a summary of Dr. Stevenson's 9/6/20 message to the church. To contact this ministry: PO Box 154227, Waco, TX. 76705 everlastingcovenant@ymail.com