| Revelation 2:1,5 1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of its place — unless you repent.2[Notice! Jesus is referencing their works, which are works of loving obedience to the commands you hear spoken from God in your heart.] | Revelation 2:12,16 12 To the angel of the church in Pergamos write, These things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges; 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [Notice, in the Book of Revelation, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of repentance from all sins; but the Christians of today think they have no need to repent, presuming that they are excused from all the warnings of Jesus and all the Bible's stated exclusions, requirements, and qualifying conditions of salvation; they also overlook that every man will be judged on his works and words. So today's Christians, listening to the words of the scriptures, hear them like a beautiful song that is sweet to their ears, but they fail to apply the commands to themselves — always thinking the warnings and commands apply to bad people, not righteous believing people like themselves; so they do not obey the commands of repentance from sin that they hear or read, remaining slaves to sin; and then they are banned from heaven when they die.] | Revelation 2:18-24 18 To the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass. 19 I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and that the last are more than the first. [Their works are increasing, which is good.] 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you: you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. [Adultery is not only sexual adultery, but also spiritual adultery from God, embracing the world, with lusts and pride. Jezebel is the prototype for the Whore of Babylon, who adulterated with the kings of the earth, to embrace the world.] 21 I gave her time to repent of her adultery; and she has not repented. 22 Therefore, I will cast her onto a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches will know that I am he who searches the minds and the hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works.6 [Notice again! Jesus is referencing their works, which are works of loving obedience to the commands you hear spoken from God in your heart.] 24 But I say to you, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not hold to this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say; I will put upon you no other burden. | Revelation 3:1-3 1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says he who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, but you are dead. [Jesus is telling the people in this church that although they live on the earth, they are dead, still sinning, and so dead in their sins, dead to the life of God, just like the demons who believe in Jesus and God and are dead to the life of God. The people in this church have not yet seen their salvation brought to them by Jesus.] 2 Wake up and be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I have not found your works perfect before God.1 [Jesus not only wants works, he wants perfect works. In His messages to the seven churches in Revelation, Jesus mentions to every church how their works are key. These are not works of the law; these works are works of love in obedient faith to the commands you hear as you wait on God. Perfect works are to completely and fully follow His orders, which He told us in Jer 7:23: "Listen to and obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk completely in the ways that I command you, so that it may be well with you."] 3 Remember therefore what you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.2 If you do not wake up and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. [From the Word of the Lord within: "Keep on repenting from the evil He shows you in your heart. Continue with me; continue in obedience."] | Revelation 3:14-17 14 To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God. 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would rather you were either cold or hot. 16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich and increased with possessions, and am in need of nothing;' and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,5 [From the Word of the Lord within: "I work with the blind; but if you think you can see, and you are not with me in heaven, I will make you a laughingstock."] | |||||