The Exhortations of Jesus Christ to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:1-8 (NCV):
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him (Jesus), to show His servants what must soon happen. And Jesus sent His angel to show it to His servant John, who has told everything he has seen. It is the word of God; it is the message from Jesus Christ. Happy is the one who reads the words of God’s message, and happy are the people who hear this message and do what is written in it. The time is near when all of this will happen. From John, to the seven churches: Grace and peace to you from the One who is and was and is coming, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raised from the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is the One who loves us, who made us free from our sins with the blood of His death. He made us to be a kingdom of priests who serve God His Father. To Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds, and everyone will see Him, even those who stabbed Him. And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of Him. Yes, this will happen! Amen. The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the One who is and was and is coming. I am the Almighty.“

The letters to the seven churches are a remarkably complete treatment of problems that face the church today. The recurring dangers of losing their first love (2:4), of being afraid of suffering (2:10), doctrinal defection (2:14-15), moral departure (2:20), spiritual deadness (3:1-2), not holding fast (v. 11), and lukewarmness (verses 15-16) are just as prevalent today as they were in first-century churches. Because these letters come from Jesus Christ personally, they take on significance as God's final word of exhortation to the church down through the centuries. The final appeal is to all individuals who will hear. The body of Jesus Christ – the Church universal today would do well to listen.

Jesus Christ gives the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) of the book of Revelation exhortations; each church was given specific exhortations. These exhortations are applicable to the body of  Jesus Christ today:

1)“Remember; repent; do the things you did at first.”

2)“Do not be afraid. Be faithful, even to the point of death.”

3)“Repent!”

4)“Repent; hold on to what you have.”

5)“Wake up! Strengthen what remains. Remember what you received, obey it, repent.”

6)“Hold on to what you have.”

7)“Come to Him to acquire that which only He can offer (refined gold, white clothes, and ointment for the eyes); repent and gain an intimate knowledge of Him.”

8)“Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

There are “promises and rewards” given to every person that overcomes and wins the victory:
1) They will see God’s face.

2) God’s name will be written upon their foreheads.

3) They will rule as kings forever.

4) They will be blessed.

5) They will receive a reward and be repaid for what they have done.

6) They will have access to the New Jerusalem – the City of God.

7) They will have the right to eat from the Tree of Life.

8) Jesus Christ is coming!