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. This third week: the Outcome. John states the results of continuing on the bad path or the results of repentance and change in belief and behavior.
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
No Repentance. Remember therefore from where you have fallen. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:5)
Repentance. Repent and do the works you did at first. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (Revelation 2:5, 7)
To the Church in Smyrna
No Repentance. They did nothing needing repentance.
Repentance. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ (Revelation 2:10-11)
To the Church in Pergamum
No Repentance. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)
Repentance. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ (Revelation 2:17)
To the Church in Thyatira
No Repentance. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 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, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:21-23)
Repentance. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:24-28)
To the Church in Sardis
No Repentance. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. (Revelation 3:3)
Repentance. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)
To the Church in Philadelphia
No Repentance. They did nothing needing repentance.
Repentance. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (Revelation 3:12)
To the Church in Laodicea
No Repentance. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)
Repentance. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:19-21)