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The Opportunity

Several opportunities available to the church are given in the messages to the churches in Revelation chapters two and three. Some Christians view these churches as a sequential timeline of Christianity from the founding of the church to Christ's return. Others view these churches as characteristics of individual Christians during any time in history. A few see these as individual congregations of Christians that take on one of these personalities. By studying the opportunities available to the churches of Revelation, we can better understand the opportunities available to us today.

The concept of opportunity is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:11.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

I have talked with many who believe the reference to time and chance is only negative, such as you never know when you are going to die, but this verse shows positive opportunities. I believe as Christians we must seize the promise made to us in Romans 8:31.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

God has given us opportunities as Christians to seize if we believe him. Let's look at the opportunities God has given his church through the messages to the churches of Revelation chapters two and three.

Revelation 2:1-7
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name�s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 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. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The church at Ephesus is praised for its works, labor, patience, and intolerance of evil. It is chastised for letting its initial love of the church die back. The opportunity given to the church at Ephesus is testing those who say they are apostles and finding out who are liars. This church is able to discern who is of God and who is not. No information is given on why this church left its first love, and it could have something to do with this opportunity. Perhaps proving others to be liars became more important than otherwise living as a Christian.

Revelation 2:8-11
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

The church at Smyrna is praised for its works, endurance of tribulation, richness of faith in financial poverty, and understanding the blasphemy of those who are deceived. This church is not chastised. The opportunity given to this church is to grow rich in faith because they were not going to grow rich financially. The faith of this church allows them to be faithful in times of extreme duress.

Revelation 2:12-17
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan�s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 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 stumblingblock 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The church at Pergamos is praised for its works, even in the midst of Satan's influence, holding fast to Christ's name, and acknowledging their faith in the face of martyrdom of Christians. This church is chastised for having members who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The opportunity given to this church is to witness and keep their faith in the midst of evil.

Revelation 2:18-29
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth 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. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The church at Thyatira is praised for its works, charity, service, faith, and patience. It is chastised for allowing outside religions to influence its teachings. The opportunity given to this church is to have a service and charitable ministry while not adopting outside influences.

Revelation 3:1-6
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 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. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The church at Sardis is praised for having a name and existing, but that is all. This church is chastised for otherwise being dead. The opportunity given to this church is to strengthen, or restore those things that remain with the church and to use this restoration as a basis for repentance.

Revelation 3:7-13
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The church at Philadelphia is praised for its works and the open door to do these works given by Jesus, and not denying the name of Jesus. This church is not chastised in any way. The opportunity given to this church is unlimited opportunities for works.

Revelation 3:14-22
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest 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 mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest 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. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The church at Laodicea is not praised for anything. The lukewarm works of this church are acknowledged. This church is chastised for seeing itself as being rich, increased with good, and having need of nothing. This church has much knowledge, but doesn't do anything with the knowledge it has. The opportunity given this church is to repent, or to passionately use its knowledge in works.

We should all ask ourselves how we see the opportunities given to us. If we see our opportunity in proving people to be true or false Christians, we are like the church at Ephesus. If we see our opportunity as growing rich spiritually because we can never grow rich financially, and feel persecuted, we are like the church at Smyrna. If we see our opportunity as one in an evil world and we strive to hold our faith, we are like the church at Pergamos. If we see our opportunity in Christian service to others while maintaining our faith, we are like the church at Thyatira. If we see our opportunity as restoring the faith that once was, we are like the church at Sardis. If we see our opportunity as endless and limitless in the types of works we can do, we are like the church at Philadelphia. If we see our opportunity as tied to our knowledge of the Bible, and believe we know a great deal, we are like the church at Laodicea.

Seeing how we look at the opportunities given to us can help us understand who we are spiritually.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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