Re:Verse reading–Revelation 2:1-11; 3:1-6, 14-21 (day two)
“Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.” 3:2
You’ve lost your first love, you’ve fallen, you’re neither hot nor cold. These declarations to the churches contain some very direct and often harsh criticism. No one is without blame, they all are broken in some way. But there is hope. Look at how the letters end:
2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”
2:11b “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”
The other letters end similarly. The point? God is not giving final condemnation here. He is giving the churches a wake up call, a state of the Union. We need to hear where we are strong, but also where we are weak so that we may better serve. If you feel that word of reproach, take it for what it is. Wake up, change course, serve well.
