[Ping-Pong]

I thought more about your reply and question one of your statements.

"Likewise, Christ accepts seven different churches in
Revelation 2:3."

I read through the chapter again and still can't see where Christ accepted the seven churches. To me, He is admonishing five of them to change their ways. He tells them their good points and yet warns them to repent. In 2:17 He tells them they must overcome to eat of the "hidden manna".

The only 2 he approves of are Smyrna and Philadelphia. He expects the churches that truly follow Him to teach what they taught.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for your reply and your question!

For all of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Christ declares their special challenges, praises them for what they are doing well and admonishes them for their failings. And then He speaks to those who overcome, blessings. So whereas the church as a whole may not be blessed, the individual believers may be. Take Ephesus for example:

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. - Rev 2:1-7