The seven churches - Part 1

The answer to how we become vessels of revival—how we steward what God is doing through us—can be found at the back of your Bible in Revelation.

Before we get to dragons and trumpets and all the end-time scriptures, there’s this little introduction—in this, Jesus tells John to write letters to seven churches—real churches, at real points in history.

It’s a mini-Bible within the Bible—seven short letters, each one a message from Jesus Himself to the church. But, as with everything in Scripture, it’s not just for them back then. It’s just as real for us today. If Jesus spoke with urgency 2,000 years ago, by the numbers, we should be listening with a little more urgency now.

1. Ephesus — Returning to First Love

The church in Ephesus had all the credentials. Jesus said, “I know all the things you do. I’ve seen your hard work and your patient endurance.” They were doing the programs, examining false teaching, resisting evil, and they had suffered for the name of Jesus without quitting. But then comes the confronting line: “But I have this complaint against you…”

What was the issue? They had lost their first love. Their hands were still working, their heads were still in it—but their hearts had moved. They were once known, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:15, for their love for God and for His people. That was their reputation. But 30 years later, Jesus looks at the same church and says, “You’ve fallen. You’ve forgotten why you’re doing all this.”

It’s such a challenge for us today—especially for those of us who grew up in church, who know how to do the rhythms. We can be surrounded by miracles, stories, and culture, and yet slowly forget to actually love people, forget to love God. Before we know it, we’re just ticking the boxes, going through the motions.

And what’s the point of revival if it only revives me? If it never breaks our hearts for the lost? Revival isn’t about a spiritual buzz. It’s about a return to Jesus, and a return to the people He’s called us to reach.

2. Smyrna — Faith Through the Fire

Smyrna is not your go-to holiday spot. Jesus gets straight to the point: “I know about your suffering and your poverty.” And it’s not just sympathy—He follows it with, “Don’t be afraid of what you’re about to suffer.” Ouch.

But there’s a powerful twist in the words of Jesus: “But you are rich.” Despite their external poverty, despite their trials and opposition, they had something the world couldn’t see—eternal treasure.

Jesus isn’t promising instant breakthrough or comfort. He’s calling them to lift their eyes to eternity. You’ve stored up treasures in heaven. That’s where your wealth is. Not in your situation, not in your bank account, not in whether your body feels healed right now—but in what’s waiting on the other side.

It’s not “miracle now or reward later.” It’s both. We can pray for a breakthrough and healing, but we also remember—we’re storing treasure that moth and rust cannot destroy. And there is a prize for those who finish the race.

You might not want to be a “living testimony.” It’s not glamorous. But if God wants you to be, then stand strong. There’s victory waiting in heaven, and it is worth it.

3. Pergamum — Standing Against Compromise

Pergamum lived in the heart of enemy territory—Jesus even says it’s where Satan has his throne. And still, the church had stayed loyal. Even when one of their leaders, Antipas, was martyred, they didn’t give up.

But then comes the “I have a few complaints against you.” And it’s this: you let compromise creep in. You tolerated teaching that led people away from God—specifically, into sexual sin and idol worship.

It didn’t happen all at once. If you look back to Numbers 25, it starts small—some Israelites enter relationships with pagan nations. They start eating food sacrificed to idols. Then, they’re at the dinner tables of other gods. Then they’re worshipping them. Bit by bit. It didn’t feel like a big deal. Just small shifts.

But compromise compounds. Rarely do people wake up one day and say, “I think I’ll turn my back on Jesus.” It’s little steps, little justifications, until what once felt wrong now feels normal.

Jesus calls us to holiness. Not perfection. Not performance. But surrender. And holiness isn’t possible without God—but it’s also not possible with compromise.

What are you asking me to stop? What are you asking me to give up? Because I want revival to flow through me, not around me.