- And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. Revelation 2:23b – With each of the messages He has for the different churches He starts with an “I know.” I know your works, I know tribulation, I know where you dwell. He continues by showing He knows how they had chosen to live out their faith life through all the persecutions and temptations that were around. He knows who had stayed faithful and who had begun to lean after other teachings. He knows. For us know our situation isn’t hidden from God. He knows where we dwell, He knows our works, and He knows our tribulations. He knows if we are staying true to His Word or leaning after other things. He knows. For those of you who are staying faithful take pleasure in knowing all this, He knows and sees your faithfulness. For those who have leaned away, take this as a message to lean back into Him, He knows and sees you’re walking away. Whichever you find yourself in, know He knows. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1570
- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:29 – Chapter 2 and 3 of Revelation is Jesus speaking directly to seven different churches in this time period. He addresses them personally, speaks of what they are doing well in, yet also addresses areas where they need to change in. What we see though at the end of each of the messages to the seven churches is a verse like verse 29. Jesus makes it clear that His message isn’t solely for the individual church He is addressing in the letter, but to the “churches” and any who has an ear to hear what the Spirit says. So He is addressing the faithful in the church, the ones deceived by Satan in the church, and the leaders who allowed sin to enter into the doors of the church. He also is addressing all those in the church, past, present, and future. Taking that truth then to heart, how does this chapter speak to us that has ears today? Has our passion for Jesus and others diminished like Ephesus? Are we fearful of the persecution that likely is coming out way like Smyrna? Have we allowed false doctrine into the church like Pergamum? Have we allowed individuals to remain in the church that are leading other to sin like Thyatira? I think when phrased in such ways we realize how deeply we need to take such messages to heart within our churches today. Let us pray for passion again. Let us pray for boldness. Let us pray for discernment for truth and fearlessness towards those who battle against the truth. For God’s promises of life and blessings within this passage still rings true today, yet beyond any blessing we may receive for such faithfulness, our God alone deserves our faithfulness for all He has already done for us. Let us be a church that hosts fast to His word and His Gospel until He returns. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2786
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