This post is Day 8 in a series of studies about “Revelation 1-3”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Revelation 1-3 – Day 8

Many churches today started because a few people wanted to spend time praying and worshiping together. Whether that developed into a whole movement or a denomination is not the issue here. But churches, prayer groups, study groups all began because two or three joined together in the name of Jesus.

Revelation 2:4-6

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

The Thought

After the compliments come the corrections! No church is perfect today and it seems as though it has been the case right from the beginning. How sad it is that Jesus says to the churches that meet in His name that they have forsaken their first love. Sadly many of us know churches that fit that category.

Many churches today started because one or two people loved Jesus and wanted to spend time praying and worshiping together. Whether that developed into a whole movement or a denomination is not the issue here. But churches, prayer groups, study groups all began because two or three joined together in Jesus’ name. Those groups have grown and developed over the centuries into the denominations we have today. Within those denominations there are differences of opinion, and different styles of small groups.

Sadly, in many cases these too have changed, and more time is spent socialising, or welcoming newcomers and/or discussing local politics or national crises. This is not true of all groups, and often nobody is to blame, except satan!

Little is known about the Nicolaitans today and an internet search leaves too many options to make any comment here. But it is a warning, that we must operate according to Biblical examples and not follow individuals.

Action

Pray today for your christian group whether that is a cathedral, a mega church or a small prayer group. Pray for the Lord to bring unity where there are differing opinions, and for Holy Spirit to inspire the leaders.

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