The angels were given their charge
To the churches the messages were sent,
Commendation and admonition
And urgent entreaties to repent.
It was a conference with a difference
International in its scope,
No Roberts’ Rules of procedure
Only the messenger spoke.
The reports were perfectly accurate
The recommendations to the point,
There was no possible way
That any could dispute the accounts.
There was no mixing of matters
All was straight up and forthright,
For some there was shocking reality
Some were commended for their light.
The classifications were astounding
Fraught with misdeeds and disbelief
But not all were of this type,
There were some that brought great relief.
Of the period I am not certain
But the application speaks to anytime,
It is time to get our act together
Lest we find ourselves in a bind.
The conference starts with Ephesus:
Their works and labor were well known,
They were patient and eschewed evil
But from their first love they had roamed.
To such they were called to return
And to accept the message that was sent
Or have their candlestick removed,
If they did not sincerely repent.
To the angel of the church in Smyrna
These things said the First and Last,
Reference to their works and tribulation
And experiences in their past.
Though there were a people of poverty
They were regarded as being rich,
And some that said they were of the Jews
With Satan had long made the switch.
The saints were admonished not to fear
In the face of their fierce tribulation
But remain faithful unto death
And a crown of life would accompany
salvation.
Pergamum was the next in line
They had held fast to Jesus’ name
But among them Satan was operating
And a faithful witness had slain.
A few things were in need of fixing
Some were of the doctrine of Balaam,
Some adhered to the Nicolaitans
And hence, the following demand.
These were commanded to repent
Or experience the wrath of the Lord,
He promised to fight them with the sword
This was in reference to His Word.
To the church in Thyatira
They were commended for their works:
Charitable works of faith and patience
From these they did not shirk.
However, they were serious problems
That had sullied their report,
There was the thriving spirit of Jezebel:
A false prophetess with a prominent vote.
Severe punishment was pending
If the guilty refused to repent,
But on the rest who were of the faithful
No other burdens would be sent.
A strong message was delivered to Sardis
Especially to the living dead,
These had built up a huge reputation
One that had gone to their head.
They were counselled to be watchful,
To strengthen the things that remained,
Remember the things received and heard
And of the Lord’s coming back again.
There was also noteworthy commendation
For the few that still walked in the light
They were considered to be worthy
And will walk with the Lord in white.
The conference next focused on Philadelphia:
This entire report was favourable,
Though they had but little strength
What they achieved was commendable.
The pretenders to self-righteous greatness,
Those who say that they are Jews,
Those who are of the synagogue of Satan
Will be humbled before all they abused.
The faithful that kept the word of patience
Will be free of the tribulation to come,
And at the inevitable return of the Lord
No man would be able to take their crown.
Finally, the report of the church at Laodicea:
This church was the worst of them all,
Neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm,
The “Fit to be spat out” they were called.
They boasted of being rich and wealthy
And of the world’s goods they had no lack,
They were wretched, poor blind and naked
But ignorant of these obvious facts.
They were advised to buy gold tried in fire
And to clothe their nakedness in white,
To anoint their eyes with eye-salve
So they could clearly behold the light.
To the churches it was often repeated
And we too, should heed this admonition:
He that has an ear let him listen to the
Spirit
For this is life saving instruction.
The promise is to overcoming believers:
The born again in Jesus Christ,
The names of these are written in heaven
And that is the record that will suffice.
We often boast of the churches we attend
And their leaders that fill our eyes,
Consider again these conference reports
And be discerning of Satan’s disguise.
Like an angel of light he frequently
comes
With manifestations of
wonders and signs,
So, be aware of his
alluring enchantments
And dismiss him with the words “I decline”.
Stewart Russell © September 2019
