SWHW Bible Reading Plan: December 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Alonda Tanner:

Usually, when we hear "Revelation," our minds switch into "end time mode," and we immediately have all the questions.

What people group does the church of Laodicea represent?

Which letter do you think describes the American (or insert your country) church?

Who is the antichrist? 

When does all this begin, and how do we prepare for it?

While it's fun to try to piece together all the answers, we don't want to miss out on the big picture God is presenting here. Instead of puzzle piecing the first few chapters of Revelation, I want to challenge you to see them differently. 

There are seven letters included in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. Each letter addresses the health of the church. What we have to remember as we read these letters is that the church is not a building; it's the body of Christ - it's you and me - the people committed to living for Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are one body (see Ephesians 4:4).

When the body is healthy as a whole, it functions at its best. It can accomplish the assignments God puts in front of it. When the health of one part of the body diminishes (which is what happens when we let sin creep into our lives unaddressed), it affects the health and function of the whole body, the whole church.

These letters, starting in Revelation Chapter 2, are a picture of the broken church body. There are parts of it that are healthy and parts of it that need healing. 

The letter to the church of Ephesus describes a part of the body that is doing all the right things on the outside but has lost its inward affection for God (see Revelation 2:1-7). 

The letter to the church of Smyrna describes the coming persecution from people who claim to be Jews but aren't loyal to the God of the Jews. They're encouraged to remain faithful even unto death (see Revelation 2:8-11).

The letter to the Christians in Pergamum warns them that there are members of their church who are involved in idol worship and sexual immorality as well as operating in sorcery and witchcraft (see Revelation 2:12-17).

The church in Thyatira was honored for their deeds, perseverance, and service – but was also warned that their tolerance of “Jezebel” and her teachings was misleading church members and causing them to stumble into idolatry and sexual immorality (see Revelation 2:18-29).

What is the big picture realization we get from them all? The church as a whole is divided. Sometimes we forget that the local church is only part of the church body. The churches in other towns, states, and nations are a part of our makeup as well. When devotion in any church is split between the ways of the world and the ways of God, it affects the health of the entire church body. Healing needs to happen. How does that healing start? By turning back to Jesus, the "Head of the church" (see Colossians 1:18 and Ephesians 5:23).

Sin in one part of the body cripples the whole body. Healing comes when we are willing to address sin and turn back to Jesus.

God, we know how important a unified church body is, especially when it comes to being an example of truth, love, and righteousness. There are so many things that try to steal our devotion and cause division. Give us eyes to see the temptations before we enter them. Help us be bold and unrelenting in our pursuit of You. Keep our eyes on the big picture. Teach us how to be an encouragement and covering to churches that are struggling. In Jesus' name, Amen.