When addressing the seven churches of Asia Minor, Jesus revealed things that were either com-mendable or condemnable in each church.  When we study the letters that were written to each of the churches, we discover that churches today have some of the same characteristics that those churches possessed.  Our goal should be to imitate the commendable traits, while avoiding those things that were condemned by our Savior.

While Jesus addressed each church individually, there are three things that Jesus said to all seven churches.  The first thing was, “I know..”  Jesus, with His eyes like a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14), indicating His piercing and penetrating vision, could see the inner workings of each church and knew everything about them.  This is still true today.  Every local church, made up of those who belong to Christ, is under His divine telescope and is known fully by Him.

Jesus said something else to each of the seven churches to encourage them to do right.  He spoke of blessings they would receive if they remained faithful to them in life, no matter what obstacles Satan would throw at them.  He began these exhortations by saying, “He who over-comes.”

This should be the goal of every member of every local church.  We know that there are going to be difficulties in life because the devil will make sure of it.  He is walking around like a roaring lion, trying to find someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  We are in constant danger of being hit by one of the devil’s darts (Ephesians 6:16).  The question is, will we succumb to the assaults of the wicked one?  Far too many have done so over the years, beginning with some we read about in the New Testament.  For every faithful soldier like Timothy or Titus, we read about those who became un-faithful like Hymenaeus, Philetus, Demas, and Diotrephes.

The good news is that God has given us the power to stand.  While falling away from grace is possible (Galatians 5:4), it is not inevitable.  We do not have to fall (Jude 1:24). Peter said that we  “…by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).  The power Peter is referring to is the gospel of Christ, and if we live according to that gospel, we will be overcomers.

What is the blessing of being an overcomer?  Jesus told the saints at Ephesus that they would be granted to eat of the Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7).  One who eats of the Tree of Life will live forever (Genesis 3:22).  Eternal life, then, is the blessing we receive for overcoming.  How do we know that the reference to the Tree of Life equates to eternal life?  We know because Jesus told the saints at Smyrna that if they overcame, they would not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11), which was to be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

We all have to overcome something.  The saints at Ephesus had to overcome the loss of their inner zeal for the Lord.  The saints at Smyrna had to overcome tribulation spearheaded by the devil.  The saints Pergamum had to overcome witnessing the death of Antipas, one of their own.  The saints Thyatira had to overcome the seduction of Jezebel.  The saints at Sardis had to overcome a membership full of brethren who were in a spiritual slumber.  The saints at Philadelphia had to overcome false Jews who were a part of a satanic synagogue.  The saints at Laodicea had to overcome being lukewarm.  What do we have to overcome?  It is probably different for all of us, but if we can manage to do so, the reward is worth whatever we have to endure.           

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.