Keep The Faith

The Seven Churches of Revelation Before we explore the Seven Churches of Revelation, it is important to understand the life of the man through whom Jesus delivered this message — John the Apostle. His journey from fisherman to beloved disciple to exiled prophet shapes the tone and urgency of the letters to the churches. The Life of John the Apostle A detailed look at the man through whom God gave us the Gospel of John, the Epistles, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. ← Read: The Life of John the Apostle The Seven Churches of Revelation With John’s life in view, we now turn to the seven churches he wrote to — real congregations in real cities, each facing unique pressures and receiving a specific message from Jesus Christ. 1. Ephesus — Revelation 2:1–7 Main takeaway: A church strong in doctrine and endurance, but drifting from its first love. Revelation 2:4–6 (NIV) 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken t...

Sometimes the Lord places a picture in our hearts long before we understand it. Over time, those images grow clearer, inviting us to reflect, to listen, and to choose the path that leads toward Him. What follows is a meditation I wrote years ago—now gently polished, but still carrying the same conviction the Spirit stirred in me then. I have had two pictures of our future in my mind for some time now, and those pictures are becoming clearer to me. Two separate paths will lead us to two separate results. One path will lead to destruction, and the other will lead to peace and serenity. I believe God is giving us—both collectively and individually—the decision of choosing which path we will take. The Bible talks about a new heaven and a new earth. I see that this could happen in two different ways. If all of humanity chose to receive the Living Water and become One with God in Christ Jesus, then Satan would be defeated. He would have no more control or influenc...