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Read: Revelation 2:18-3:6 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’ Revelation 3:6

Today we are invited to look at the examples of two churches.

Thyatira seems to be doing quite well. They love and have faith, they are patient and enduring, and seem to have improved since their foundation... they have one small problem: ‘Jezebel’ (v.20). Jezebel, the prophetess who is trying to get the faithful to compromise on eating food offered to idols. Thyatira was on a major West/East trade route and had a large number of trade guilds. These guilds would have great meals and celebrations which would involve sacrificing to pagan gods. Our Christians would have found themselves in a difficult position: compromise and sacrifice to the pagan gods and remain in the good graces of the guilds, or hold firm to Almighty God to guide them through the shunning they would face from refusing to sacrifice and eat the food of idols.

Sardis, on the other hand, was apparently nothing to be impressed with. God warns them that though they have received the word of God they have failed to do anything with it...they merely plod along in complacency! They are asleep, and they will be found sleeping when the Lord comes.

Are we, or have we been, asleep in our faith, like Sardis? Have we in the last few months merely ‘plodded’ along in our faith? Have we failed to live out the loving message of life that has been entrusted to us?

Have we been faithful in all things but one, like Thyatira? What issues have we compromised on in our faith when we know it goes against the teaching of Christ, the Scriptures and our inherited faith?

Now is the time to examine our hearts carefully, to turn back to Christ with the love that He has placed in our hearts! Let us turn back to Him and peel away the sleepiness and the compromise that separates us from following Christ who loves us! Let’s go out to proclaim His truth and His love to those around us! Christ is coming, let our hearts be full of joy and love as we return to Him.

The Revd Matteo Zambon

Assistant Curate, Church of The Ascension, Torrisholme.