Jesus’s letter to Laodicea was written to a dying church. They were lukewarm in their faith because their wealth had smothered the spark they once had. In their wealth and comfort they had grown stagnant in their faith and no longer did the good works they did at the beginning. Jesus offers them the opportunity to come and store up true wealth and riches in his kingdom.

Jesus’s letter to Philadelphia was written to a struggling church. They were struggling with the persecution they faced, yet they remained faithful. Jesus reassures them of their safety in him and that they will be saved in the judgment that is coming upon the world. Suffering purifies our faith and roots us in Christ.

Jesus’s letter to Pergamum was to a church that had compromised. They held fast to the name of Jesus yet they were lax in rooting out false teaching and religion. Jesus calls them to repent and clear pagan rituals from among them and putting a stumbling block before the people.

Jesus’s letter to Smyrna was to a suffering church. They were being persecuted for bearing witness to Jesus Christ and they are commended for their faithfulness in the face of suffering. They certainly weren’t perfect, yet suffering brings about a purity of faith in which Jesus delights.

In John’s vision in Revelation the first thing he sees is the glorified Christ arrayed in splendor. The description of Jesus is a powerful statement of who he is and points back to Old Testament promises. Then Jesus begins to speak with John to show him the end of all things. What does this vision teach us about Jesus and who he is?