The Tribune

By Rev. ANGELA PALACIOUS IN the book of Revelation, there are seven warnings given to the seven churches concerning their need for improvement. If we look at each one for ourselves, we may find that the warnings are very helpful during our advent self-examination exercises. The church in Ephesus was admonished: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first." (Rev. 2: 4-5a NIV). We all know what it is to start out enthusiastically in a relationship, a position, or an activity, only to find ourselves less enamoured or even disillusioned as time goes on. God is calling us to rekindle the fire of our love for holy things by allowing the holy spirit to reignite our passion. We can begin by praying to be more grateful for, and amazed by the grace of our God. The church in Smyrna is praised for its steadfastness even in the face of suffering. The warning takes the form of encouragement to: "Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10b NIV). We too are assured that our afflictions and poverty do not go unnoticed, and that God is a rewarder of faithfulness, with God's presence in this life, and the unspeakable joys of eternal life in the next. The church in Pergamum had been entertaining false teachers who were promoting heresy and immorality. We are to be so familiar with the word of God that we can quickly detect aberrant behaviour and deviant directives. It is important that we know the truth and hold to that truth, even if we have to respectfully challenge the authority of those in leadership. The church in Thyatira is applauded in the following manner: "I know your deeds, your love and faith, service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first." (Rev. 2:19NIV). Can this truthfully be said about us? Their warning relates to immorality and we too have to be alert when it comes to persons claiming to be called by God and yet are really rebelling against God: "You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess...I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling" (Rev. 2: 20 b-21 NIV). The church in Philadelphia has an open door before it and is advised to: "Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." (Rev. 2: 11 NIV). What do you have that is precious in the sight of God? What do you have to do in order to hold on to it? How preoccupied are you with the crown associated with eternal life, and how mesmerized are you by the gaudy but worthless crowns of this world? The church in Laodicea is indicted for being "lukewarm...wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Rev. 2: 16-17 NIV). What scathing criticism to have levelled at our church if this is possibly true. We each have to take responsibility for our own actions and attitudes, since we the members make up the church. Let us use the remaining days before Christmas to ponder these things in our hearts.