Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 290

October 17;   Revelation 2:19;      240/260(IV);      ‘Jesus Knows’

Revelation 2:19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, the Lord Jesus is addressing seven churches.  Much has been thought and taught about these churches.  They have been taught to be the progressive church age, from Pentecost to present.  They have also been taught to be combined the pros and cons of the universal church of Jesus Christ.  I tend to believe that the churches represent what is going on collectively in the universal church.  Jesus teaches two things that are vitally important when addressing these churches.  First, Jesus commends the churches for what they are doing right, before He corrects them.  I believe that is love.  No church is perfect and before correction is given, the Head of the church appreciates what they are doing right.  Second, Jesus knows what is going on in each of the churches, implying He knows what is going on in churches everywhere.  To each of the churches, Jesus says, “I know your works….”  Our Lord knows what is going on in every church and what is going on in every Christian.  In verse 19, Jesus is writing to the church of Thyatira and as with all of the churches, He commends them first.  Jesus knows their works, the work the church, pastor and congregation are doing.  Jesus knows if they are ministering in love, how they are serving the congregation and those outside the church.  The Lord knows the faith they minister by and the patience they exercise while ministering.  Jesus also commends them by saying their ministry to others is growing.  Live so He can commend you more as you grow.