November 7, 2013 – Revelations 2

Ephesus needs to go to a wedding and hear them read 1 Corinthians 12.  What they are hearing sounds a lot like, you can do this and that and have all the faith to move mountains, but if you have no love, you have nothing.  How often do we get caught up in all the technicalities of the world and what we are doing and trying to do correctly that we let love slip away.  I think a lot of the Pope’s newest message to the Catholics of the world has this in mind, although I think many are spinning it to mean something totally unintended.  There are those that are so focused on the beliefs of the Catholic Church that they are pushing people away, when all the beliefs in the world won’t do you any good if you don’t have love.  But the Pope hasn’t said anything to change those beliefs, only asking us to change our focus.  I think the part glossed over is that the Pope said those beliefs were so fundamental and unchanging that we need to focus on loving more.

I was curious as to what the Nicolaitans believed, but the most I could find was that they lived a life full of unrestrained indulgence and here is more information.  http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/articles/who-were-the-nicolaitans-and-what-was-their-doctrine-and-deeds--14510.html

The warning to Thyatira gives a pretty strong indication that they shouldn’t believe in “faith alone”.  “Thus shall all the churches come to know that I will give each of you what your works deserve.”  Verse 23.  And He is talking to those that believe in Him.  What their works deserve has nothing to do with how much faith they have or don’t have.  He is telling them that what they DO matters.  “To the victory who keeps my ways until the end” verse 26, sounds like an action that needs to be taken.