@Heart2Soul. I was looking over some of my old notes on the seven churches, and maybe this might be an intrest to you also.
Just who are these seven letters directed to? Answer the leadership especially in or of each church. He address
the angle or
the messenger, or the pastor, bishop, ..ect.. of each church that have or have not a leadership problem. These messengers of the seven churches are the FIVE FOLD MINISTRY
in or
of each church. The Lord Jesus, God almighty, starts at the top, “LEADERSHIP” first in rebuke, or
edification. scripture, Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”.
In all the letters to the churches, (their Leadership, the angel, or messenger, the Pastor, bishop, ect…) notice how all the letters except two of the letter to the Ephesians and the Laodiceans begin with and reveals the problem in each church leadership. but the two churches, of Ephesians and of the Laodiceans, they both began with, and or address as, "
of", and not, "
in" a certain location.
the angel of the church of Ephesus
Verse 1. "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks". the Lord Jesus identifies himself as walking in the midst of all the churches. Walk here means to live. The seven stars are the pastors/bishops/ prophets/apostles who are in leadership positions. And by being in his hand this is judgment. first thing the angel/pastor/bishop/ect.. “
of” the church at Ephesus is to do is to listen and understand the letter written unto them. He knows the leadership work. And at Ephesus the Lord said, verse 2 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted”. here as in Laodiceans, the leadership cannot make up their mind on what’s the right way to go. They have good intention, but the wrong doctrine. They have found some to be lairs, this is a good work, but, he had something against them,“because thou hast left thy first love”. meaning him, the Lord Jesus, God himself. the first Love is JESUS CHRIST himself. they have left his doctrine to do work, the King business, and forgot the first thing, scripture, Luke 10:38-42. next, in verses:5 & 6 this Love is brought out clearly. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate”.
repent, is to change one mind. Or else the Lord Jesus will remove the pastor/leadership at the church. For the Nicolaitans: it means to a vanquishers of a people, conquerors over the laity (the people). ruling people without LOVE. This the Lord Jesus hate.
and one can see other problems as one read the others letters.
not saying this is correct or wrong, but something to consider.
PICJAG.