Promises and Warnings to Believers for the end times

Jesus gives instructions to examine our ways in the end times. Will we do it? What are the consequences if we do not heed Him? And, the promises if we do?

When I was little, I was taught to examine my conscience every night before I went to bed. I was to consider each day as if it were my last day, and to take seriously any sins I had committed and repent of them.

In the Book of Revelation, Chapters 2 & 3, Jesus is giving similar instructions to the churches of that time to examine their ways. The descriptions of those churches sound very similar to churches of today, and also similar to how individual believers can lead their lives as well.

This is a summary of the sins, errors, mistakes, warnings, call to repentance, and finally the glorious promises that await us if we do correct ourselves, and return in purity and holiness to the Lord.

Note that the Lord finds no fault in those who have either given their lives for their faith (martyrs), and those who have been weak but obedient and faithful.

Note also that the promises are greatest for them. But, all these promises are available to us, if we choose the higher path of holiness, and do not allow ourselves to be contaminated by the worldliness and sin around us.

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Ask yourself as you read the summary:

Are you going to really make it?

Will you succeed in the world and fail in the eyes of God?

Are you all that you think you are?

Do you have corrections to make in your life?

Do you really think your works are enough to cancel out your faults?

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Ephesus

strength- labor, patience, do not tolerate evil, honest, endurance, hate Nicolaitans

weakness/sin– left your first love, (little time for God, wrapped up in the world)

The warning – I will remove your candlestick out of its place- your light will go out- repent

The promise – ( if repent)-

Rev 2:7… To him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

**Nicolaitans – elder rule – a few rule, and are exalted over others. Does this sound familiar? Today, we have the “anointed,” who are treated like gods, and are rich off the offerings of others. The “anointed’ are a special social network. Once in, they rule and change doctrine. They oppress the brethren with their own brand of spirituality, and lead people away from the liberty they have in Christ.

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Smyrna –

strength – martyrs for their faith

weakness/ sin – none

the warning – none

The promise –

Rev 2:11… He that overcomes, shall not be hurt of the second death.

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Pergamos –

strength – in seat of Satan but faithful, have not denied the faith

weakness/ sin – idolatry, Baalam, Nicolaitans

the warning – Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The promise (if repent)-

Rev 2:17…. To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives [it].

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Thyratira –

strength – patience, works, charity

weakness/ sin – Rev 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

the warning – Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

The promise (if repent)-

Rev 2:26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

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Sardis –

strength – past works

weakness/ sin – dead spiritually

the warning – Rev 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee.

The promise (if repent)-

Rev 3:5He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

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Philadelphia –

strength – works

weakness/ sin – none

the warning – none

The promise –

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

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Laodecia –

strength – none

weakness/ sin – lukewarm, rich

the warning – Rev 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that thou may see.

The promise (if repent)-

Rev 3:21To him that overcomes, will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

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Notice the encouragement is to “overcome.” Jesus was anticipating our temptations and failures. Will we be honest enough to examine ourselves, and see if we need to correct some aspect of our lives?

Look at the wonderful promises that await us, if we humble ourselves and repent before Him. He wants our hearts and obedience and attention. Will we do this for Him? Isn’t He worth it?