Who Moved My Lampstand?

Revelation 2:1-17

Ephesus. Smyrna. Pergamum. If those names sound layered with the dust of history and archeology, they are. If these places don't sound like current centers of Christian hotbed activity, they're not.

Today, we start the fascinating read of Jesus' messages to the seven churches. He walks among them, seeing and evaluating every facet. The seven lampstands represent seven ancient substantial churches in Asia Minor. And, the seven 'stars' He holds in his hands? In the chapter before (1:20), these are said to be the 'angels' of these seven churches. But, you'll notice an asterisk by the word 'angel' (in 1:20 & 2:1) because it could just as aptly be translated 'messenger'. I believe the image is that Jesus walks among His churches, and their leaders, like a commander inspecting His troops.

He sees something good, and something threatening at each place. The church and pastor at Ephesus have down pat the 'deeds' part of faith. They endure, work hard, stand up against evil and lies. They are steady -- they are not quitters. But, where is the flame on the lampstand?! Where is the first-love passion that fuels the flame?! The regular re-incitement of grace and the fullness of the Spirit is the only thing that keeps our commitment from soon fading drab.

Smyrna is rich in spirit, but blasted by circumstance. Suffering and poverty and opposition will test them to the point of death.

Pergamum is loyal, but they are an island in an ocean of antichrist. They have settled for a timid loyalty that does not confront the monster.

It is the words of warning that ring loudest to me this reading; especially that stark line from the 5th verse: "If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."

The thought struck me today: Christ's Kingdom is ever advancing, it is growing and spreading always around the world, and it will continue advancing until His chosen time of completion and return. However, individual churches often do not last, nor even does the Kingdom depend upon them to last! Indeed, the record of history going all the way back to Revelation 2 is that often local churches remain only for a season. And, perhaps when the love trims low enough, or suffering snuffs out hope, or timidity yields to compromise... that local church just goes away, and fades into a relic of history and fascination of archeology. But here's what rattles this lampstand messenger today:

It is never the devil that removes the lampstand.

-PPaul