SEVEN KINDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS!

JESUS REBUKES FIVE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN REVELATION!

Revelation 2:1, 4-5 - Unto the angel of the church of (located in the city of) Ephesus write - - - Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 2:12, 14-16 - And to the angel of the church (located in the city of ) Pergamos write - - - But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Revelation 2:18, 20-22 - And unto the angel of the church (located in the city of) Thyatira write - - - I have a few things against thee, because thou suffer that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 3:1-3 - And unto the angel of the church (located in the city of) Sardis write - - - Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:  for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.  If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Revelation 3:14-20 - And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans (the Laodiceans were the people of the city; the name of the city was Laodicea, which means "the people rule"; as can be seen in the Lord's rebuke, this is the only church mentioned that is said to be ruled solely by the people, and therefore, not by the Him!)  write - - - I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:  I would thou were cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue (vomit) thee out of My mouth.  Because thou say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou may see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.  [Note:  The church operates apart from the Lord, Whose desire is to be admitted!]

JESUS COMMENDS TWO OF THE CHURCHES IN REVELATION

Revelation 2:8-10 - And unto the angel of the church (located in the city of) Smyrna write - - - I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:  be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [Note:  Christ does not rebuke them!  Still, they will suffer, and some will even be killed!]

Revelation 3:7-10 - And to the angel of the church (located in the city of ) Philadelphia write - - - I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:  for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name.  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  [Note:  Christ does not rebuke them, and He promises to keep them out of the Tribulation!]

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING LIKE ANY OF THESE CHURCHES?

IS JESUS YOUR FIRST LOVE?

ARE YOU HOLDING ON TO FALSE TEACHINGS?

ARE YOU ENJOYING THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD?

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE TEACHINGS OF GOD'S WORD?

ARE YOU "PLAYING CHURCH" WHILE EXCLUDING THE LORD?

OR

ARE YOU ENDURING SUFFERING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD?

ARE YOU PATIENTLY WAITING FOR CHRIST'S RETURN FOR YOU?