What is the church? Through the lens of Revelation

This week we wrapped up our series on “What is the church?” Michael Gentosi taught on the church through the lens of the book of Revelation. Unsurprisingly there’s a lot about the church at the end of the Bible in the book of Revelation. The ESV translation has this in its introduction to the book of Revelation: 

“It was addressed to seven actual churches. Revelation begins with letters from Christ himself to these churches, letters that include commendation, criticism, and comfort. Then comes a long series of visions of judgment on the wicked, all in highly symbolic language. The church is depicted under great distress but is assured of the final triumph of Jesus as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16), bringing to an end the rebellion of humanity and ushering in “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1), where God himself will reign forever and ever (11:15).”

So with the unveiling or revelation of the words of Jesus in Revelation, there are seven letters to seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3. From there, Michael pulls out some encouragement for us as the church. Starting in Revelation 1:1-3; 19-20, reminding us to “Recognize that Jesus is the center of all prophecy.” Then looking at the church in Smyrna (2:8-11) we’re reminded as the church, to “endure persecution.” The enemy and world kingdom powers will try to stamp out the light of the church by force, but we have been united to the God who will reign forever. So while this life may be difficult, standing firm to the end in spite of opposition is our calling as Christ followers, and He promises to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). 

On that note we see Christ encourage the church at Philadelphia to “overcome testing” in 3:7-13, knowing that those that oppose you will be humbled by the conquering Messiah one day, and in the meantime we’re to have patient endurance. Unlike the church at Laodicea 3:14-22, which is famous for being lukewarm, or useless, because they did not stand firm in their calling to the end. Instead, we’re called to “resist false doctrine” and remain firm in our calling and convictions, despite what those around us do. 

But don’t forget, as Michael pointed out, all of these–enduring persecution, overcoming testing, resisting false doctrine–are to be through love, reflecting Christ as He made His way to the cross in love and humility. This heart is reflected in so many places in Scripture, but 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 comes to mind for how our attitude and actions should be. We can say and do a lot of things, claiming them to be for Jesus, but if they are not inherently built on Christ-like love, we miss the mark and are not following the way of the Messiah. 

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (ESV)
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

So church, as we stand firm together in the face of the enemies adversity, let’s do so together with love, reflecting the Messiah we represent, with humility, hope, and confidence in our faith that God wins, and He alone will reign forever and ever over a new heaven and new earth. 

Philippians 1:9–10 (NIV)
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,