In the book of Revelation, John was told to write to the seven churches. He was told to write to them about what they were doing that was correct and good, what they were doing that was wrong and bad, what they needed to do to correct this, and the ultimate result of their choices. Read each of these and pray for guidance in practicing the Good and repenting of the Bad.
I will cover each of these over three weeks. The first week was the Correct and Good. This second week: the Wrong and the Bad.
All passages are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
To the Church in Ephesus
4 “’But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.’” (Revelation 2:4)
To the Church in Smyrna
John had nothing bad to say about the church in Smyrna.
To the Church in Pergamum
14 ‘”But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.’” (Revelation 2:14-15)
To the Church in Thyatira
20 “’But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead.’” (Revelation 2:20-23)
To the Church in Sardis
1b “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.’” (Revelation 3:1b-2)
To the Church in Philadelphia
John had nothing bad to say about the church in Philadelphia.
To the Church in Laodicea
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’” (Revelation 3:15-17)