“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give…”
Revelation 2:7

The first movement of the biblical symphony called The Revelation of Jesus Christ consists of seven letters to seven local churches. Though John wrote the letters, he wrote what Jesus dictated, so the letters are from Jesus Himself. The seven churches were seven, literal, local, churches and the words to each were specific to each. Yet there are components in each letter that are generally applicable to all churches ever since, and until Christ comes again.

There are several items that all seven letters have in common. In each, Jesus identifies Himself, but in different terms. To each church Jesus says, “I know your works,” followed by commendation in five of seven letters, followed by a rebuke in a different five of seven churches. Each church is told that only “overcomers” (those who persevere to the end) will be saved. Jesus gives each church either a blessing or a promise. And each church is challenged with the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Here is what I take from this: (1) Jesus, who is the Lord of the Church, is intimately acquainted with every local church. (2) He blesses and/or rebukes His local churches as is appropriate. (3) Every local church has both common and unique needs (4) Every person in every local church had better have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the Church. Do we? Do you?

Oh, and by the way, may we be “overcomers!”