Thyatira—Hardworking but allowed false teaching (Good & Bad)
Ephesus—Doctrinally correct but not devoted (Good & Bad)
Pergamos—Devoted but not doctrinally correct (Good & Bad)
Smyrna—Poor in life but rich in spirit (All Good)
Laodicea—Rich in life but poor in spirit (All Bad)
Philadelphia—Little Strength but won’t quit (All Good)
Sardis— Great reputation but are actually dead (All Bad)
The characteristics of these churches represent many churches and individuals in the kingdom of the Lord. It is very important to be hardworking, doctrinally correct and devoted, and yet it is a must to be balanced, too! If we have one or more characteristics without the other, we are in trouble! It doesn’t matter how much work we do if we allow false teaching; we are wrong (Thyatira). It doesn’t matter how right we are if we aren’t devoted to God; we are wrong (Ephesus). It doesn’t matter how devoted we are if we teach bad doctrine; we are wrong (Pergamos). It doesn’t matter whether we have money or not; our dedication to God is the most important thing (Smyrna & Laodicea). It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of us; what God thinks of our service is what really matters (Philadelphia & Sardis). Which one are we? Which one am I?
