The Lord’s Counsel to the Seven Churches

We studied the Book of Revelations this week. Boy, was that a tall order. I feel like I didn’t have nearly enough time to really get into it, and still hardly understand what it’s talking about. One part that was fairly cut and dry was the beginning three chapters. In it John is told to give certain counsel to the seven branches of the church in various parts of Asia. We can learn a lot from that council, such as what to do and what to avoid to receive amazing blessings from the Lord. 

1. Revelation 2-3

City	What they did that pleased the Lord	How they needed to repent	Promised Blessings
Ephesus (2: 1-7)	They have been patient and borne labor for the Lord’s sake and tried the false apostles and found them liars. They also hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, as does the Lord.	They have left their first love and failed to repent.	To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Smyrna (2: 8-11)	They had good works, endured tribulation and were poor in money but rich in spirit.	There are of Jews of the synagogue that are of the devil.	He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. If they are faithful through trials and imprisonment they shall receive the crown of life.
Pergamos (2: 12-17)	They’re being steadfast though they live in an evil place that slays martyrs.	There are those that hold to the doctrines of Balaam, that eat things sacrificed to idols and commit fornication, and also those that hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.	To him that overcometh he will give to eat of the hidden manna, and a new name which no man knoweth.
Thyatira (2: 18-29)	He is pleased with their works, patience, charity, service and faith.	They have suffered Jezebel to seduce them and commit fornication with them, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.	To him that overcometh and keepeth his works to the end he will give power over the nations. And he will give them the morning star (meaning?)
Sardis (3: 1-6)	Their works and that they have a name that they live (Christ’s name?)	Their works are not perfect before God. They have defiled their garments.	He that overcometh shall be clothed in white and his name shall not be blotted out of the book of life.
Philadelphia (3: 7-13)	They have kept his word and not denied his name.  They have kept the word of his patience.	Some of the Jews of the synagogue are of Satan and do lie.	Jews of Satan will worship at the feet of the righteous.  He will keep them from the hour of temptation. Those who overcome will be made pillars in the temple.  They will have the name of God written upon them.
Laodicea (3: 14-22)	Nothing	They are lukewarm in their devotion to God.	If they buy of Him gold tried in the fire they will be rich. If they hear His voice and let him in they will sup together. They who are righteous will sit with him in his throne.

2. Write a paragraph about what counsel given to the seven branches of the church in Asia applies to you today. Which of the promises the Lord gave to the seven churches most inspires you to seek eternal life? 

I really liked the counsel to not be lukewarm, but to put our full affections on the Lord. This helps me to really analyze if my actions and thoughts toward the church are passionately pious or just out of habit. I want to be fully engaged with the gospel and not just take it for granted as a “thing” that happens to be part of my life. 

I also related to the counsel given to the saints in Pergamos, telling them that he was pleased with them for being devoted though they were surrounded with evil and lived in an evil place. We can easily relate this to ourselves in these latter days. There aren’t many places on earth where the people aren’t surrounded by evil. Idaho happens to be a little bubble of good, as far as I’m concerned, but even here we are faced with tons of people questioning our beliefs or how strict our standards are. It’s hard to be strong and steadfast anywhere in the world right now, but it’s nice to see that the Lord acknowledges that difficulty and praises us for surmounting it. 

3. How does D&C 14:7, 63: 20 give meaning to the phrase “to him that overcometh”? 

It tells us what it means to overcome. This means to endure to the end and overcome the evil that is in the world through our adherence to God’s commandments and through the power of the atonement.