A Church Conference with A Difference

 

 

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

 

 

Reading Someone Else’s Mail

 

 

Would you read someone else’s mail?

Straight-up, I know you’d say no

But Christians do it everyday

Let me tell you how this is so.

 

I am not maligning Christians,

Why would I do such when I am one?

And I am not trying to be funny

Just hear me out before you are gone.

 

Take Revelation for example:

It was not addressed to us,

It was addressed to seven churches

Yet we’ve created quite a fuss.

 

Some say they are churches today

Just like the ones back then

And the letters are written to these

Highlighting similar problems.

 

These are churches across the ages

Ever since the church began

And we are in the Laodicean church

That carries the world’s brand.

 

The lukewarm church, they say

That is neither hot nor cold

But is infested with worldly people

That are both shameless and bold.

 

Sorry, but I must beg to differ

Since this is not our mail,

These letters went to seven existing churches

And their situations were detailed.

 

Revelation 1:4

 

These churches that were in Asia

Were located on a circuitous route

Beginning at the Church at Ephesus

With Laodicea ending the group.

  

These were 1^st century churches

To which these letters were written

And not churches in this 21^st century;

To us they were never given.

Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamos

Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia

With the last on the route being

The church at Laodicea.

 

John said he was their brother

And their companion in tribulation,

No doubt to get them to pay attention

To this very vital information.

 

No doubt too they could identify

With the appraisal of their condition

For John’s source was no other than Jesus,

The faithful and the first begotten.

 

 

These letters were preserved for us

But they are somebody else’s mail

And the information that was given

Fitted them to every detail.

 

It probably fits our churches too

And we would do well to take note

Assured in the time of our tribulation

That in Jesus we also have hope.

 

Romans 5:5

 

Hope that maketh not ashamed;

Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts

By the Holy Ghost

Which is given unto us.

 

Stewart Russell © March 6, 2021