The Book of Revelation is all about the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God has given us to show us how the end of the age will unfold. And in Chapter 2, we see that Jesus walks through the lampstands, which symbolize the seven churches He addresses in the Book of Revelations. These lampstand/churches are to be the source of spiritual light in a dark world. Jesus has and will be standing among them in these End Times, offering His presence and His support.
But as we read on in Chapter 2, Jesus warns each of the seven churches that they must deal with their internal problems if they are to successfully face the external pressures that are coming. Furthermore, He warns them that if they refuse to repent of their ways, their lampstand [the church] will be removed! That should strike the heart of every Christian! From the founding of this nation, the Church and its influence have been at the root of our nation's existence. But as I have lamented far too often, I fear the Church has transitioned from a living, active body of faithful servants to an institution and business, choosing to compromise with the world, rather than stand in bold defiance against an increasingly ungodly world.
At the same time, I thankfully acknowledge that our God has always preserved a remnant unto Himself, described by a blogger who writes under the name Appolus, as "a people who have chosen Spirit over ceremony, truth over tradition, and Christ Himself over the systems that claimed His name". And this remnant, while not necessarily affiliated with a church building or denomination, have carried on the Message of Jesus to the apostate churches, pleading with them to turn away and repent for their failings. Among the accusations Jesus brings against the lampstands are 1) They've lost their first love for the Lord, each other, and lost sinners; 2) They've descended into idolatry and immorality, including sexual immorality because they've listened to Jezebel, a false prophetess; 3) They are forever starting new ventures, but never finishing anything -- they are dead in their works; 4) They have become sick but don't realize it and Jesus has stopped attending services there!
Thankfully, there is a Remnant that is still on fire for Jesus and their faith is healthy and vibrant. They have turned from a luke-warm pretense of faith in favor of an active, effective, walk with the Lord that is distinctly alive. They identify as the Church, themselves, doing the work of Jesus "as they go", trading lifeless religion for ministries that don't need to entertain and distract the masses in order to deliver the message of Christ's love and call to service.
I recall when my husband and I looked at each other in a big church that had been such a place of instruction and joy to us in the early days of our faith journey, and we realized that the Word of God we were being fed was no longer nourishing our souls or spirits. We were starving for more, and eventually began to feed ourselves through deep study in the Word, rather than being spoon-fed by pastors teaching "new paradigms" of Christianity that didn't align with what we were reading. That was 15 years or so ago, and the table Jesus prepared for us was life-sustaining and enriching. And the number of those who I've heard echo that sentiment of "feeling hungry for more" has increased dramatically. And I can't help but wonder how many lampstands have been removed from churches in that same time period.
Interestingly enough, those that find themselves leaving nominal [and/or cultural] Christianity to become part of the Remnant, are often called heretics. Yet the Remnant are the ones more interested in true discipleship, rather than maintaining membership roles. They want the reality of an authentic faith that changes lives, rather than simply paying homage to rituals and traditions. They don't want religion; they want the fire and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They don't want to be taught man-made denominational liturgies and ceremonies; they want the Truth of God's Word and to see evidence of it bearing fruit in lives.
Sadly, the truth of our Faith is that the lampstand and Light of Christ has been extinguished and quenched in many churches. But because I know and believe that God always preserves a faithful remnant in every generation, we are not lost. There is still hope because He will not abandon us. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will accompany us as we, the Church, made up of faithful individuals, go into the world with their message of Light, Life, and Redemption. For Christ and His message is the same today as it was to His Disciples at His First Coming ... Start where you are, and spread the Gospel to surrounding areas, ultimately to the ends of the earth. He will empower us with the Holy Spirit to fulfill our specific mission. The Lampstands are dimming, but the Light of Christ is burning brightly in the hearts of the Faithful, and the Darkness cannot put it out.
So, just as we should take heed of Jesus's warnings to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation, let us also hang on to the assurances and rewards to those churches He approved. As the Remnant, we will exhibit courage in the face of opposition and deprivation [which will prophetically exist]. And we will be placed in a position of honor in the Millennial Kingdom to come and receive the Crown of Life. Until then we are told to hold fast, holding on to the faith that we have. He is Coming! And I believe He is Preparing to Ride!
Revelation 22:16-17 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come'. And let the one who hears say, 'Come'. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."
