Revelation 2

The letters to the four churches recorded in Revelation 2 have all the characteristics of Jesus woven through them. First, we see the fact that they are known. He says, "I know" - your deeds, your labor, your perseverance. He knows where you dwell, your trials, your poverty, the opposition you face. He knows your steadfastness, your love, your faith and your service. Jesus is aware and is guarding and guiding His church with the care of a gardener, a vinedresser, a shepherd. That role wasn't a transient one for while He was walking the earth, but He maintains that loving care to the end of time. He knows. He wants you and I to tell Him, like we would a dad who loves us, but He knows already.

Secondly, we see that He discerns and He judges. He knows where they stumble (or are about to). He knows where our hearts are. Even if our outward appearance is presentable, He knows the depths of our hearts and wants all of that, completely, to be His. He doesn't get snowed by our facade like others might, but moves past, to the heart of the issue, with care and clarity and grace and truth. We can't stand before His judgment except for His grace. No one can. He is a corrector. Just as the vinedresser prunes the vine so that it can bear more fruit and the gardener prunes the fruit tree for the same reason, Jesus corrects. His desire is for our righteousness, both positionally (because of what He did on the cross) and actually (because of the work of His Holy Spirit changing our lives). He gives each church the "next thing". He doesn't give them the whole list of things they need to work on, but He gives them the next thing. He gives them focus - the area He wants to mold and change them in. Jesus works in our lives in the same way. If He showed us every way in which we fall short, we would be overwhelmed, confused and deflated. Instead, He works on us by a process of sanctifying us one step at a time. While we are made legally clean before Him the moment we trust Him, the clean up of our lives is His caring process with us over a lifetime. ("See how great a love the Father has for us - that we should be called children of God! - I John 3). Isn't it beyond belief that we have a Savior who loves us like that? Consistently, faithfully, patiently, effectively, step by step. That's Jesus.

There are many other aspects He displays, but I will close with His promises. Why does Jesus promise? Oftentimes I may promise to make up for a present failing. With Jesus, there are no such failings. He promises because He wants us to know Him (just as we are known by Him). He is a giver, the ultimate Giver. He is a Rewarder. He is a just Judge who has the riches of heaven to dispense and the Authority of heaven to do so. He can promise access to heavens riches (the tree of life!), the crown of life, protection from ultimate spiritual death, justice for this world, food that gives life, an intimate relationship signified by a name for you only He and you will know. He can offer authority (as He has over the nations!), and finally, Himself (the morning star here and in Rev 22:16).

This book was written to show us the things that must soon take place. How fortunate are we to have a Guide who cares for us like Jesus does, to walk through these days with us.

 TOM ALBERS | Elder Chairman

Tom committed his life to Christ as a junior in high school in 1975. After moving to Austin in 1995, Tom and Cindy attended Hill Country Bible Church in Cedar Park before becoming part of the HCBC Pflugerville and Hutto Bible church plants. Tom serves as a Small Group Leader and in Youth ministry and in other ministry oversight roles. Tom and Cindy were married in 1986 and are parents to Will, Emily, Clare, Hannah and Nathan and grandparents to Owen.