Priority of Worship

 

READ Revelation 1–5

The temptation in reading this passage is trying to identify modern day churches that fit these descriptions. While that is not the intention, I can see how the warnings could fit any church. Rather than say this is our congregation or the one down the street, God wants His people of every era to pay attention to their lives and what they are conveying to an unbelieving world. These warnings and promises could apply to individuals also.

The first church is hanging in there, but their motivation has slipped. They have endured without getting tired, but not because they love Jesus. They need to repent and live for Christ because He takes first place in their lives. (Revelation 2:3–5)

The second church is not well off financially and have satanic forces among them. For this they will be tested. Some will go into prison and some will die. They need to know that if they belong to Jesus, this will not destroy them because, “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” (2:9–11)

The third church allowed stumbling blocks, such as “the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality” and “some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” They needed turn from such things and receive “some of the hidden manna” to help them go the right way. (2:14–17)

Another church tolerated a woman “prophetess” who taught the people to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. She refused to repent. The Lord would throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation, unless they repent. He would strike her children dead. This is to show the church to know that He searches mind and heart, and will give to each according to theirs works. (2:20–24)

The fifth church was in the most trouble. John told them: “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” However, some were walking with Him and He would “never blot their name out of the book of life.” (3:1–5)

The sixth church kept His word in patient endurance, and would not experience the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world. The Lord says, “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” (3:10–12)

But the seventh was “lukewarm” so He would spit them out. They thought they didn’t need anything, failing to realize they were “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” He told them what as He told the others: to be zealous and repent for He was standing at the door and knocking, calling each one to a deeper fellowship with Him. (3:16–20)

The goal is that all who follow Him, imperfect as we are, will give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne and worship Him forever and ever saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (4:8–11)

I realize that worship from the heart is vital for with it, everything else falls into place.