Today, I am reading and commenting on Revelation 1-3.

I always want to write so much about today’s passage.  Today I decided to focus on what John wrote at the end of the message to each of the seven Churches: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The wording varied slightly, but he put that after his message to each of the Churches.  I read that as an indication that while the contents of each message contained specifics for the Church to whom it was specifically addressed, it also contained things to which everyone who follows Christ needs to pay attention.  First, there are the characteristics we should strive to incorporate into our lives:

• Do not tolerate wicked people
• Rich in faith, even if lacking in material possessions</li?
• Do not renounce Jesus name in the face of ridicule and persecution
• Exhibit love and faith through service
• Patiently serving God even though weak and worn out

And then there are the characteristics we should strive to remove from our lives:

• Loss of our initial enthusiasm for Christ
• Do not tolerate sexual immorality and the pursuit of sensual licentiousness
• Maintaining a reputation for righteousness without the accompanying actions
• Lack of enthusiasm

Interestingly, there is more overlap between the things for which the Churches are condemned then there is among the things for which they are praised.  And yet, in many ways the things for which the Churches are praised are just variations on the same thing.  The passage ends with one of the great images of Christianity.  Jesus says to us “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”  So, if you have ears listen to what the Spirit says, hear Jesus knocking, and open the door so that He may come in.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.