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This week on Tell the Truth, we wrapped up our deep dive into the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, and what a journey it’s been! As we closed out this section, we couldn’t help but reflect on how powerfully relevant these ancient messages are to us today.
The Power of God’s Word
One of the key themes we discussed is the inexhaustible nature of Scripture. We don’t need to search for something “new and unique and beautiful every week” – we just need to come right out of the Word. There’s no shortage of messages when you’re grounded in Scripture, and that’s exactly where we need to stay centered.
A Call to Listen
What struck us most about these letters is how they all end the same way: “The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This isn’t a casual suggestion – it’s a repeated command to pay attention and apply what we’re hearing. The Spirit is speaking directly to us through these letters, just as He spoke to those original churches.
Our Shared Reality
We also explored how similar our context is to the original recipients of these letters. Every one of those churches was surrounded by paganism and wickedness, just like we are today. The difference? Their idols sat on shelves where people could physically bow down to them. Our modern idols – video games, television, phones, work, and countless other distractions – are harder to identify but just as dangerous.
The Letter to Philadelphia
We spent time particularly appreciating the letter to Philadelphia and how Jesus describes Himself in exactly the way they needed to hear: He is holy, He is true, and He holds the key of David. This imagery connects back to Isaiah 22 and reminds us that Jesus alone has access to the treasures and storehouse of God.
Looking Ahead
Next week marks an exciting transition as we move into chapter four of Revelation. We’re past the messages to the churches now and diving into the actual meat of the prophetic events. It’s going to get challenging, but we’re ready to tackle the tough stuff together.
Join us as we continue this important journey through Revelation, always remembering to keep our ears open to what the Spirit is saying to the churches today.
