God's letters to the Churches...

Dear Christians at Ephesus,

I am aware of all your acheivements, and how you have grown in strength and number. I have seen how you will not tolerate evil in your midst. When some people tried to deceive you in the faith, spreading lies and false claims about me, you saw them for what they were - false teachers. You have gone through hard times and faced opposition for my sake, and for that I am proud of you.

But I’m disappointed about one thing: you don’t seem to have as much love as you used to. Think back to the first days - everything you did, you did purely out of love for me. Now you’re doing all the right things, but your hearts seem a little cold. You seem to be doing things out of habit, and without the real passion that you once had. Try and recapture some of that old fire. Remember, one day you will eat the fruit of the tree of life.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Smyrna,

I know how much you have been suffering, and I know how poor you are. I know you live lives of real hardship and poverty. But remember, in Christ you have riches that the world cannot, gifts that makes you rich beyond compare.

I know that some of you have been thrown in jail for 10 days, and that you have faced pposition and slander from the Jewish authorities. But let me encourage you. I am always with you. Try to bear your suffering graciously. Remember, one day, yours will be the crown of life.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Pergamum,

I know that Pergamum is a hard place to be a christian. I know about the huge altar to Zeus, and the shrine of Asklepios. I know that your town has the first ever temple for the worship of the Roman Emperor. I have see how you have faced real persecution.

I wept with you when faithful Antipas was put to death to frighten you into forsaking your faith. You lost a good friend and a faithful worker in him. I am proud of you all for sticking with me through thick and thin.

But there is something you must be cautious about. Many of you are getting a bit too familiar with the ways of the world, you are becoming a bit too tolerant and your distinctive christian lifestyle is getting blurred at the edges. You must repent and live truly Christ-like lives once again. Remember, at the last you will be given a new name - in the presence of the name above all names.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Thyatira,

You are famous for your love and your service and your faithfulness. I am delighted with all of your hard work, and how you are admired for your compassion by many outside your fellowship. You feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give to anyone in need.

But I would urge you to be more careful to discern what teaching is false and what is true. Some of you have been following the evil teaching of that woman Jezebel. Have nothing to do with her, or with any teaching that goes against the truths entrusted to you at first. Always remember, victory belongs to all who trust in Jesus as Lord.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Sardis,

WAKE UP! What do you think you’re playing at? You think you’re really acheiving something don’t you? You’re big and successful and highly thought of in good social circles, but I count it all as nothing! I did not call you to be respectable, but to be salt and light in the world.  There’s lots of people at your meetings, but I cannot tell them apart from those outside your meetings. You’ve become notning more than a big social club.

WAKE UP! Preach the gospel message I have given you. Live the christian life Jesus has shown you. Do that, and at the last you will walk with me, robed in white, and your names will be recorded in the Book of Life.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Philadelphia,

I know what life has been like for you. Many doors have been closed to you. You have been evicted from the synagogue and barred from public office. But I have set before you an open door, the gate of the heavenly city, and none shall close it.

You have made a good start, but there is more to come. Persevere and cling on to my promises, even through the times of trial that lie ahead, and you will be lasting monuments of faith in the presence of God.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Christians at Laodicea,

I have some hard things to say to you. You are a wealthy, respectable fellowship. Life is easy for you. You say you have faith in me. Words are fine, but your lives don’t show it. You are neither one thing nor the other; you are neither hot nor cold; you are lukewarm and I want to spit you out of my mouth.

You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need.  But you don’t know how badly off you are. In my eyes you are pitiful, poor, blind and naked!

Get your riches from me - richness of character and love. Clothe yourselves with my words of guidance. Open your eyes to see with the eyes of Christ.

I speak harshly to you because I love you and I want you to change, so make up your minds and turn your lives around. Listen, I am standing  and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in with you and we will eat together.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.

Dear Church at St. George’s Hartlepool,

I hope you have read my letters to the churches. Look at them, look at yourselves, and learn.

All my love,

God.

P.S. If you have ears to hear, then listen to what my Spirit is saying to you and to the other churches.